I posted this book stack the other day on Instagram – it was/is the result of a quick scan of my shelves, pulling off books by black authors that have been (for me) powerful and thought-provoking. Some are longtime favorites, some newer discoveries.
Like any book list, it is only a small beginning. I am reading and listening to black voices on social media: Osheta Moore, Austin Channing Brown, Well-Read Black Girl. I am ordering and placing library holds on books by black authors. I signed a NAACP petition calling for an independent investigation into the murder of George Floyd, and broader police reform. I donated to my local bail fund after more than 50 protesters were arrested this weekend in Boston.
None of this is “enough” or gets me off the hook for doing more. I share what I’ve been doing because so many of us white folks don’t know where to start. But we have to start, if we haven’t already. Until everyone is able to thrive in this country, the work will not be done. And we have to look hard at our own hearts – our biases and hesitation and fear – because the real work happens internally, too.
cakes, tea and dreams 
Amen.
(And this was very helpful. I haven’t been reading all that I should, I haven’t been donating everywhere I should..)
No shame at all here. There’s so much to learn.
I’d like to read Becoming too. I read The Amateur Marriage when it came out. Have you read much of Alice Walker, Toni Morrison or Zora Neale Hurston? There are so many great books by POC to choose from! You might also like to check out Queenie from a black British author Candice Carty-Williams. Currently I’m reading Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward.
I’ve heard Ward is amazing. And you’re right–so many great voices to listen to.
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