Book Review: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You / Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

"To know the past is to know the present. To know the present is to know yourself." (Ibram X Kendi in the introduction of this book)

Why do we need to know about history? 

Why are social studies classes important?

Why do we pay attention to the social sciences?

I am sure that there are many answers to these questions, but for me I want to know about history so I can do my part in preventing history from repeating itself - at least in the ways that people in power have made choices that harm others. Also history gives us perspective on how we have arrived in today's world. And our social sciences lend a pathway into peoples' minds and realities.

Right now we are hearing a lot about racism and antiracism. Again here are some words from Ibram X Kendi, "A racist idea is any idea that suggests something is wrong or right, superior or inferior, better or worse about a racial group. An antiracist idea is any idea that suggests that racial groups are equals." 

In today's world we hear about the school to prison pipeline, we hear about black people being killed or maimed in disproportionate numbers to the percentage of people of color living in our society. We hear about people of color worried about driving-while-black or walking-while-black and parents of black children teaching their youth how to respond to police officers when they are approached. As a white person, this was never a part of the conversation in my home when I was growing up.

What can we do to make our world a better place for everyone to live? How can we make sure that we all feel safe? How can we learn about how we got to where we are today? How can I walk in the world with an antiracist presence?

Stamped is a great place to start. Here Reynolds and Kendi break things down so we understand the history that led to our present. This book is perspective changing, and Reynolds writing style is personable and enjoyable to read (no dry text book here!)

Try it and let us know what you think.

 

Book Review: This is My America by Kim Johnson

Depending on your perspective a book can be either a window or a mirror.

We all walk through our world with different expectations and realities. My white skin makes my walk pretty easy - people generally expect the best from me. They see me as grandmotherly and not particularly threatening. I once had a police officer apologize for giving me a ticket because I was "such a nice lady."

Contrast that to the experience of an African American walking through the streets of our country. It just is not the same - and this novel illustrates that beautifully.

Tracy Beaumont has been writing to the Innocence X Headquarters regularly for years. You see, her father is sitting on death row, waiting for execution for a murder he did not commit. Tracy hopes that Innocence X will take his case an appeal his conviction. Soon enough, Tracy's brother Jamal also finds himself running from a crime that he did not commit. Tracy is concerned that her brother, just like her father, won't get a fair shake from the police or a fair trial. 

Read this book - if you are a white person - Tracy's "Know Your Rights Workshops" will give you a glimpse into a world that might astound you. You might find a window, you might even find a mirror.

Read this book - if you are black - you may see some of your own experiences between the covers of this book. You might find a mirror, you might also find a window.

Here you will find history, empathy, self reckoning, introspection, love, family, caring and a whole lot more. This is one big adventure that will have you walking in someone else's shoes - no matter who you are. 

 Make sure that you read the Author's notes at the end of the book. These notes will add additional perspective.