Black Star

In Nana Kofi’s voice, he tells Charley a story from his past in Africa. He shares the myth of Oko, a god of his Asante Kingdom, his original home in Africa. Oko gifted the king a golden stool, but only royalty “or by those with wings” could sit on it (3).

Twelve-year-old Charley interprets her grandfather Nana Kofi’s mythic story. She questions why Nana is the only one who can sit on the stool in their home since he’s not a king and doesn’t have wings either.

Nana wakes Charley every morning with kisses and then checks to ensure that his suitcase is packed and ready in case the ship back to Africa comes.

Charley loves his stories about home, including the Bayere festival, family, and friends like Ebo and Ama. Whenever Charley asks about serious things, like how Nana came to the US, he tells her silly tales that make her laugh.

Since Charley was little, she has learned some of Nana Kofi’s native Twi language. She can speak and understand some words in Twi.

When Charley asks about Bayere, Nana explains that it was the yearly festival celebrating the harvest. He loved his mother’s food, Red Red, but his brother always ate more of it. At the mention of his brother, Nana laughs to keep from crying.

Nana Kofi always falls asleep mid-story, even when Charley asks many questions. He leaves her on cliffhangers.

Charley’s mother, whom she calls “Momma,” instructs her to let Nana sleep and do her chores. Charley mops, sweeps, and more—until her best friend, Willie Green, calls for her to come outside. She loves playing baseball.

Charley grabs gum, her hat, and a baseball. The hat is a gift from her father, whom she calls “Daddy,” an oyster fisherman who works in Baltimore. Daddy comes home from work once a month, so she doesn’t see him often.

One summer, when she was younger, Daddy took Charley with him to Baltimore. While he worked, she stayed with his sister and her cousins. The boys played baseball outside, and it looked so fun that Charley joined. She had a baseball talent right away and deeply enjoyed the sport.

After work, Daddy would usually be too tired to do more than eat and sleep, but he would make time to practice baseball with Charley. Daddy is skilled at baseball because he tried out for the Manhattans team in the past. Charley learned to hit, pitch, catch, and all the other techniques. She thought that summer could never be better than playing baseball.

The day before Charley left Baltimore, Daddy surprised her with a trip to the Baltimore Black Sox game. They watched famous Black players like Cyclone Joe Williams. Charley adored every second of the game, and her love for baseball grew. Attending this game with Daddy is her fondest memory.

In the present day, Charley hurries outside to play ball with Willie before Momma can chastise her. Momma wants Charley to be a proper, “elegant” girl who follows feminine gender roles, like playing the flute, instead of playing sports.

Willie is Charley’s best friend, another 12-year-old who shares her birthday. They’ve grown up together and have a close bond. Willie has many siblings who live far away, but he’s the youngest. His father works at the local lumber mill.

Willie loves baseball as much as Charley. He complains that Charley throws the ball too fast and teasingly calls her by her full name, Charlene.

They play baseball at Mosquito Park, a field by their church that is always filled with mosquitos. Charley doesn’t mind the muggy weather or mosquitos because baseball is her passion. She believes that someday she will be in the Hall of Fame.

Charley and Willie discuss topics like the muddy field and the St. Louis Stars team. Willie’s family might take him to a St. Louis Stars game over Christmas. Charley reminisces about the Black Sox game, which makes Willie jealous. Charley says that she will be the first female professional pitcher, and Willie tells her to keep dreaming. She will never give up on her goal.

Their white friend, Henry, shows up to play baseball with them.

Their town, Jones Mill, is named after Henry’s great-grandfather, who built the local mill and owned many acres of land. After the war, they had to sell most of their land to the government to pay debts. Henry’s family now owns the local general store.

When Charley first met Henry at the store, they played catch with a red rubber ball. Henry was shy, but he opened up later. They’ve played baseball together ever since.

Charley acts as their coach and pitcher. She winds up and throws heat at Willie, the batter. Henry plays outfield.

The three kids play baseball for hours. They often lose track of time, playing hard and cracking jokes. They only quit when they’re too tired and thirsty.

Willie shares that he’s going to be a musician, like his dad, who plays the banjo as a hobby. Henry will inherit his dad’s store, but he wishes that he could be an explorer. As they all know, Charley wants to be a professional baseball player.

They discuss the new baseball field in the white-only part of town. Charley is frustrated that they can’t play on it. Henry questions why they can’t cross the bridge and enjoy the new diamond. Charley and Willie explain that they aren’t allowed in that area; it could be dangerous for Black people like them.

They’re quiet on the walk home. Near Charley’s house, they smell Momma’s famous cooking.

They talk about Momma’s delicious cooking. Willie wants to be called “Cool Willie Green” (42), but Charley refuses to use the nickname. Henry asks for a baseball nickname, too, so they decide on “Socks”—not for the Black Sox but for Henry’s tall socks that he wears. They all laugh.

Charley corrects the boys’ grammar often, but Willie protests that they aren’t in school. She teases him that he can’t be invited to dinner unless he speaks properly. Willie wants to visit Nana Kofi, but Charley says that he can next time. Willie asks how Nana plans to return to Africa.

Charley’s family reads the newspaper often. Two years ago, Nana saw an advertisement for the Black Star Line ship captained by Marcus Garvey. The ship will sail from the US to Africa. Ever since, he has a suitcase ready to go. Charley has also secretly packed her suitcase because she doesn’t want to be separated from Nana.