pickI found this to be a clever tale of white male privilege and an attempt to overcome it in the theatre world. As a former bookseller, I have experienced people (males and even the mothers of boys) reject a book recommendation because the author was female. Others have rejected books for their children because the person on the cover (a person of colour) looked nothing like their kid. The book is a thought provoking read and I enjoyed it. 4/5 stars.
pickThis is a challenging read about racism, bias, and ethics featuring Ruth, an L&D nurse who, caught between her white supremacist patient‘s wishes for her not to care for their son and the baby‘s urgent need for treatment, finds herself accused in the face of the baby‘s death. Picoult explores the perspectives of Ruth, her white public defender, and the baby‘s hateful father. ⬇️
"Because Wheeler survived. Because he and Emmett rode their bikes on this street. Because the gun still fires, because the barn is a barn, because time is thin and fragile. Because the dirt Jeff Andrews and I were taught to love is very different from the dirt Wheeler Parker was taught to fear."
This book is just bringing me to my knees.
pick(2016) I've been reading this one since January, but it refused to be read faster. I've had to take it in more manageable chunks, contemplate its points, and follow up on some of its references. Such an insightful, thorough book -- I had several lightbulb moments while reading. I'll seek out more by Kendi but I know I'll also return to this one
pickEddie is an African immigrant in London who has written a tour de force of a play about the immigrant experience but can‘t get in the door at any agencies. Hugo is a white guy feeling stifled by his future in law. When the two strike up a friendship that has Hugo posing as the playwright, will it be a success or will it spin out of control? The answer is…yes. ⬇️
pickThis is a really accessible yet info-packed read that I'd certainly recommend to anyone hoping to learn more about the history of White Christian Nationalism (which I wish wasn't yet again/still/[endlessly?!] such an urgent social problem, but here we are 🙃). Jemar Tisby is excellent wherever he writes/presents his ideas, including his Substack (jemartisby.substack.com). He narrates the audio beautifully, too.
My current read. A non-fiction look into the murder of 14-year old Emmett Till in 1955. Wright Thompson grew up just miles away from the barn, although never once heard the name Emmett Till until he was an adult. Wright explores the history of racism in the Mississippi Delta, the consequences of covering up this story, and why learning about accurate history is essential. A must read.
#BlackHistoryMonth #NonfictionRead
pickThis has been hanging out on my tbr shelves for a long time, and I finally dove in. Written by a white woman who works as an antiracism educator and trainer, the book focuses on the myths and false ideologies that keep white people from being able to acknowledge their own internal racism and be able to confront and discuss racism. A lot of gut checks while reading this one as she pushes the reader into a productive and necessary discomfort!
so-so
