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A review by booksamongstfriends
On a Move: Philadelphia's Notorious Bombing and a Native Son's Lifelong Battle for Justice by Mike Africa Jr
4.0
If you don’t know much about the Philadelphia MOVE bombing or the MOVE movement, I highly recommend reading On A Move by Mike Africa Jr. This book offers a rare and deeply personal account of these events, particularly significant because so many MOVE members have passed away, been imprisoned, or disappeared since the movement’s most active years.
This is not an exhaustive exploration of the MOVE bombing itself, but rather an emotive narrative of a child’s experience growing up Black in a time when Blackness and Black identity were constantly criminalized, watched, and judged. It’s also a story of a child born into MOVE, navigating the expectations of both society and the organization. The book offers an emotional perspective on loss—parents, friends, siblings—and the anguish of watching loved ones imprisoned, as well as the hope and joy of their eventual return.
That said, if you’re looking for a book that fully captures the breadth of the MOVE bombing and its aftermath, this isn’t quite it. I’ve read another book on this subject, but it often felt as though the author was justifying the actions of the police—a stance I find unacceptable. There is no excuse for what happened that day.
It’s a reminder that whether or not one agrees with MOVE’s philosophies or actions, violence is never the answer. As we see today, white nationalist groups openly commit acts of violence, harass people at marches, and more, yet they aren’t facing similar threats. That’s why it’s no surprise there’s a book out there trying to justify the targeting of a Black organization.
Sadly, we may never have the full story of what happened that day. However, I deeply appreciate Mike Africa Jr. for putting his feelings, thoughts, and experiences into words. His account sheds light on the pain of loss, the strength of resilience, and the importance of finding and honoring one’s identity.
This is a topic I believe everyone should learn about, and it should be taught in schools. Unfortunately, if it ever were, it would likely be sanitized or distorted. Books like this are vital for filling in the gaps, shining a light on the history we aren’t taught, and pushing us to question why that is.
This is not an exhaustive exploration of the MOVE bombing itself, but rather an emotive narrative of a child’s experience growing up Black in a time when Blackness and Black identity were constantly criminalized, watched, and judged. It’s also a story of a child born into MOVE, navigating the expectations of both society and the organization. The book offers an emotional perspective on loss—parents, friends, siblings—and the anguish of watching loved ones imprisoned, as well as the hope and joy of their eventual return.
That said, if you’re looking for a book that fully captures the breadth of the MOVE bombing and its aftermath, this isn’t quite it. I’ve read another book on this subject, but it often felt as though the author was justifying the actions of the police—a stance I find unacceptable. There is no excuse for what happened that day.
It’s a reminder that whether or not one agrees with MOVE’s philosophies or actions, violence is never the answer. As we see today, white nationalist groups openly commit acts of violence, harass people at marches, and more, yet they aren’t facing similar threats. That’s why it’s no surprise there’s a book out there trying to justify the targeting of a Black organization.
Sadly, we may never have the full story of what happened that day. However, I deeply appreciate Mike Africa Jr. for putting his feelings, thoughts, and experiences into words. His account sheds light on the pain of loss, the strength of resilience, and the importance of finding and honoring one’s identity.
This is a topic I believe everyone should learn about, and it should be taught in schools. Unfortunately, if it ever were, it would likely be sanitized or distorted. Books like this are vital for filling in the gaps, shining a light on the history we aren’t taught, and pushing us to question why that is.