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I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness: The New York Times Bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Hello Sunshine Book Club Pick | Austin Channing Brown
144 posts | 160 read | 179 to read
A REESE'S BOOK CLUB X HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK PICK THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'This book is my story about growing up in a Black girl's body.' From a leading voice on racial justice, an eye-opening account of growing up Black, Christian and female that exposes how white America's love affair with 'diversity' so often falls short of its ideals. Austin Channing Brown's first encounter with a racialized America came at age seven, when she discovered her parents named her Austin to deceive future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Austin writes, 'I had to learn what it means to love Blackness,' a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America's racial divide as a writer, speaker and expert helping organisations practice genuine inclusion. In a time when nearly every institution (schools, churches, universities, businesses) claims to value diversity in its mission statement, Austin writes in breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our attempts at racial justice. Her stories bear witness to the complexity of America's social fabric and invite the reader to confront apathy, recognise God's ongoing work in the world and discover how Blackness-if we let it-can save us all. 'Austin Channing Brown introduces herself as a master memoirist. This book will break open hearts and minds. It's an example of how one woman can change the world by telling the truth about her life with unflinching, relentless courage' GLENNON DOYLE 'Most people say, "that books has legs"; I measure the impact of a book by how often I throw it across the room. [Austin's book] has serious wings. It broke me open' BRENE BROWN
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JenniferEgnor
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Pickpick

A short but powerful book that packs a punch; a necessary read. Each book I read on my anti-racist journey is telling the world and me the same thing. I learn something from every Black voice, every word, every page. The author shares her struggles within a sea of white from her childhood, adolescence, and as an adult. She rightfully criticizes the church and demands it let its white superiority go, demands it do more. Demands a radical love.

JenniferEgnor There can be nothing less. 6mo
CogsOfEncouragement I enjoyed this one too. 6mo
Deblovestoread Great review and gorgeous photo. 6mo
JenniferEgnor @Deblovestoread that is one of my prized roses. I took the photo this morning during ‘the golden hour‘. Those are two things that allow me some hope in what feels like a very dark time. 6mo
19 likes4 comments
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BookedBeyondMeasure
Pickpick

Very good!

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Powerful, impactful, and important. Even better on #audio, read by the author. #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 1y
60 likes1 comment
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DimeryRene
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Really enjoyed (learned a lot) this memoir of Brown‘s experience being a black woman in white, Christian spaces. The religious aspects were lost on me, but the racial ones were not. Brown talks candidly about the constant aggressions she encounters while in her professional life.

Suet624 I really want to get to this one. 2y
DimeryRene @Suet624 It‘s short and impactful. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it. 💚 2y
23 likes2 comments
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DimeryRene
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Pickpick

The first hour of this book is incredibly eye-opening. I love the narration, Brown writes in a way that just shows how these shocking and wild stories are just normal for black people in white spaces.

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Amandakay
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Pickpick

Wow!

DimeryRene This is next on my list! 2y
17 likes1 comment
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CogsOfEncouragement
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Pickpick

Excellent and meaningful.
I care. I‘m listening.

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CogsOfEncouragement
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Started this on a morning walk. #FridayReads

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BarbaraJean
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Feelin‘ a little called out today…

I love this challenge from Austin Channing Brown to actually read the work of MLK. Because while I‘ve taught his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and his “I Have a Dream” speech, and one of my regular editing clients is an MLK scholar, I can‘t say that I‘ve read much beyond those two main works and all the quotes I hunt down come MLK Day each year. Any recs from those who‘ve spent more time with MLK‘s writing?

TheBookHippie Signet has a nice 3y
BarbaraJean @TheBookHippie Thank you so much! I‘ve seen Where Do We Go From Here referenced a lot, so I think I‘ll start there! 3y
TheBookHippie @BarbaraJean It is unreal how relevant it is. 3y
47 likes5 comments
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LibrarianBecky
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Pickpick

I‘ve been on a reading slump .. well maybe not a complete slump .. I have 2 ADHD books half done and an audiobook on the go as well! This book was mind altering .. in a good way. Diversity should really mean what it says with actions. Great perspective book .. highly recommend!!

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behudd
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I actually read this back in January with the English department where I work, and then recommended it to the antiracism book club I‘m in with some friends, and so I‘ve read through it again.
Honestly ACB gives so much in this book I feel like I could just continually reread this & continually pull out new & impactful thoughts.
If you haven‘t read this one, it‘s one that needs to be on your list.

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

This was a short but powerful listen, and there were times I was exceedingly uncomfortable, but that‘s the point. Brown has life experiences that are so horrific in their normalcy. My only caution is that it is heavy handed with the Christianity, so if you are someone who objects to that or can‘t see the greater message beyond that, maybe skip this particular anti-racism book.

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paulareadsallthetime
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A book with plenty to think about

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behudd
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Austin, a Black woman with a white man‘s name, as she says, wrote a stunner of a book. It was very interesting how similar our situations were, growing up in mostly white, mostly Christian spaces. And now that I attend a predominantly Black church and am raising a Black child, I felt connected to so many parts of her story.
And yet.
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behudd So much she says is different, is painful, is the real, haunting, holy truth, and that is what I have not experienced. I‘m really grateful to Black authors who take the time and energy to show us these places that we, white people&especially, for this work, white Christians, have been willingly blind to. If you are a white Christian doing antiracism work, this is a must read.& if you‘re a white Christian not doing the work, your first read is here (edited) 4y
j9brown Great review, thanks for sharing! 4y
Chelsea.Poole Great review! 4y
24 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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kspenmoll
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#12booksof2020 #day9 #9ladiesdancing
#memoir
Honest and raw. Bearing witness to black women living in a white middle class world.

58 likes2 stack adds
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vonnie862
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Pickpick

Thought provoking book.

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Gillyreads
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See also Australia

LeeRHarry Truth 4y
11 likes1 comment
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Pickpick

Powerful book, hands down a must read.

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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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I'm glad I chose this book to be my 85th for the year. It has shown me that even though I try to be anti-racist, I still have a LONG way to go. "Rare is the ministry praying that they would be worthy of the giftedness of Black minds and hearts."

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Gillyreads
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bio_chem06
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Pickpick

I‘m still trying to put in the work. I need to do better, we all do....

15 likes2 stack adds
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bio_chem06
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Sometimes you just need a night time puppy pile....

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Gillyreads
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LisaLovesToRead
Pickpick

Intense. Hard to read at moments, but she carries a strong message.

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Jebpix
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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bio_chem06
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Just when I think I'm so well read, I put together a humbling pie chart for the year to remind myself, I have to do better....
#readharder

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tenar
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Pickpick

A short, powerful, beautifully written memoir about the author‘s experiences with racism in middle class, predominantly white spaces, particularly Christian churches & outreach organizations.

She makes clear how the myth of a post-racial America and the way many white Christians see kindness as the antithesis of racism both block true reconciliation. I‘d imagine this book may be especially valuable for Christians, but I hope it‘s read widely.

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JoyBlue
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Pickpick

I'm Still Here read as less overtly instructive than some of the current anti-racist books (which is a criticism of none). It's (still) illuminating and compelling. Strong pick.

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Annie1215
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Pickpick

So glad this was my #bookspin pick this month

I‘m so grateful that black women use their voices & stories to educate those around them, as they do this to exhaustion daily. I don‘t necessarily connect to the religious context of Brown‘s experience, but the purpose of this is to become acquainted with someone else‘s perspective. This was a great quick read for anyone interested to learn more about microagressions and what it‘s like to live them.

TheAromaofBooks Great progress! 4y
61 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Annie1215
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Austin Channing Brown referencing Audre Lorde while speaking about harnessing and embracing her anger.

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Books88
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Current audiobook 🎧

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Annie1215
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Here‘s my very messy thrown together #bookspinbingo board. I‘m excited to get going, I think this will be a really productive month.

My #bookspin is “I‘m still here” and my #doublespin is “The Night Swim” which I‘ve already started!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Looks great!!! 4y
54 likes1 comment
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dicey78
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Pickpick

This should be required reading in high school. Excellent

kspenmoll Agree!!! 4y
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sebrittainclark
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1. I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown

2. To Be Taught If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

3. I feel so extraordinarily happy and free when I read that I‘m convinced it could make everything else in my life bearable, if only I could have books all the time. - Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

cleoh I started I‘m Still Here this morning! 4y
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Lcsmcat
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Pickpick

This book isn‘t finished with me. I need to read it again, note my points of defensiveness, figure out how to do better, repeat. I‘m looking forward to discussing it on Zoom Sunday and hope I get at least one complete reread in by then. Please, read this.

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Lcsmcat
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Starting this today for my church‘s Racial Justice discussion group next Sunday. (Via Zoom, of course.) #blm #EpiscopalChurch #AllAreWelcome

45 likes1 stack add
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Linsy
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Pickpick

Saw this at the store and had to snap a pic! I listened to this beauty earlier this year and it was SO SO good — for anyone, but especially those of us who don‘t know what it‘s like to be black in America. I particularly loved that it gave a Christian perspective as I grew up very religious. Highly recommend! #blacklivesmatter #hellosunshine

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BekaReid
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shadowspeak17
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a short book but definitely a good one. Pick it up if you get the chance!

#catsoflitsy #Phoenix

rubyslippersreads 😻😻😻 4y
Kappadeemom Oh my, that face! 🥰 4y
AlaMich Floofy face! 😻 4y
48 likes3 comments
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LatrelWhite
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Finishing up!

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vlwelser
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Pickpick

This is really well written. I felt like a friend was talking to me. It's really interesting to see the world from her perspective. It's a bit heavy on the God stuff, but otherwise definitely enjoyable.

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Christinak
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Pickpick

This was a really well written easy to read book. I‘m so glad I picked this up.

#hellosunshine

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Findabhair
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Pickpick

As for I‘m done reading this now, I‘m ready to write my review. It‘s a really well written book, and very insightful for what life‘s like to POC. I highly recommend this to people who want to learn more about the world for POC. I don‘t want to add spoilers, just in case anyone was planning to read it any time soon. So yes, I recommend!

rockpools Welcome to Litsy! Hope you enjoy it here 😊 4y
MemoirsForMe Welcome to Litsy! 👋🏻📚🎉 4y
Findabhair @UwannaPublishme thank you! :) 4y
Findabhair @rockpools thanks! I‘m enjoying it so far! 4y
23 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Kenyazero
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Pickpick

Austin shares vivid experiences, feelings, and examples throughout this book. She makes powerful statements about equality, race and racism, and privledge. I skimmed a few sections where she spoke to a more Christian religious sentiment because her religion is very meaningful to her. #pocauthors #blm

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Findabhair
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Picked this book up from the library today. I can‘t wait to get into it.

wanderinglynn Welcome to Litsy! 👋🏻 4y
ElizaMarie Welcome to Litsy! I just started following you :) 4y
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julesG Welcome to Litsy! 4y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Welcome to Litsy! Let us know how you like the new book. 4y
TheSpineView Welcome to Litsy! 😊 4y
eeclayton Welcome to Litsy! 🥳 4y
Findabhair @Riveted_Reader_Melissa thank you! I‘ll defiantly let you guys know. :) 4y
Findabhair @ElizaMarie thanks! I just started following you too! 😁 4y
Findabhair @eeclayton thank you so much! 🙂 4y
Findabhair @TheSpineView thanks so much! 🙂 4y
Findabhair @julesG thank you so much! 😁 4y
TheSpineView @Findabhair ❤📚🤩 4y
effani Welcome to Litsy! 4y
Booknerd2 Welcome to Litsy!! I can‘t wait to see your thoughts on this book. 4y
magyklyXdelish Welcome to litsy 🤗🤗🤗🤗 4y
BookmarkTavern Welcome to Litsy! 🎉📚🎉 4y
Pogue Hi 4y
SW-T Loved that book! Hope you enjoy. Welcome to Litsy! #litsywelcomewagon 4y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm Welcome to Litsy! ❤️😊❤️ 4y
Findabhair @effani thank you! :) 4y
Findabhair @Booknerd2 thanks! So far so good!! :D 4y
Findabhair @magyklyXdelish thank you!🙂 4y
Findabhair @ozma.of.oz thanks!! 😁 4y
Findabhair @Pogue hello! :) 4y
Findabhair @SW-T thanks! I certainly am enjoying it so far! 4y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 🥳🤗 4y
30 likes1 stack add29 comments
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jackilynn
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Pickpick

Another powerful and important read.

14 likes1 stack add
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ncsufoxes
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Pickpick

“Racism never went away, it just evolved.” I thought this was such a great book. It is hard work becoming an ally and always learning. I unfortunately can‘t change the world myself but I can teach my kids and try to educate others. I want my kids to know and understand so much more than what is quickly glossed over in schools. That is why I need to continue to empower myself and understand what others experience

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Booknerd2
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Pickpick

I was sad and hopeless after this book, like nothing I would do could change anything for the better. If I feel this way, with my whiteness, how must the author feel. Then I felt worse. After stewing, processing and reflecting I realized all I can do is all I can do. I can only control me. My thoughts, words, actions towards others! Thank you Austin Channing Brown for this thought provoking and soul searching book!!!

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