So Many Books

So Many Books to Read

I’ve mentioned The Hate U Give before. It’s a novel by Angie Thomas about a sixteen-year old Black girl named Starr. Her best friend, a Black boy, is killed, or as she correctly says, is murdered, by the police. She is the only witness.

I watched Reni Eddo-Lodge, author of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, interview Angie Thomas about the book. The interview lasts about fifty minutes, and is really worthwhile. Watch a little if you don’t have time for all!

Eddo-Lodge asks great questions. Near the beginning, she asks how Thomas responds to a frequent question from white people who want to help. “What should I do?”

An important step, Thomas says, is to understand one’s white privilege and accept it. Notice how it affects your daily interactions, and compare those to the daily interactions of Black people. Then use that knowledge. Talk about it, and make it an opportunity to be an ally.

New York city's Times Square yesterday, a lovely summer day.

New York city’s Times Square yesterday, a lovely summer day.

One of the main character’s friends doesn’t want to look at pictures of Emmett Till. They make her uncomfortable, she says. If you want to be an ally, pay attention to racist things that are uncomfortable; don’t turn away.

Thomas says we should live with the discomfort and accept what it means for Black people to see these images.

And work to be even more than an ally. “Allies are important, but what we really need are more co-conspirators,” Thomas says. “We need people out there doing the work.”

For me, doing the work means writing and talking to others about race and racial justice. With TEAM Westport, it means holding town conversations, and even giving some time to the TEAM website and Facebook page!

Angie Thomas’ website calls this a YA book, but it’s completely appropriate for grown-ups. I recommend reading The Hate U Give, and then watching the interview. Or watch the interview, it may make you want to read the book! There’s now a movie too.

I’m listening to The Hate U Give. But there are moments I wish I had the book. This morning I was listening at the gym. There was a phrase Starr’s father used to refer to Starr’s white boyfriend. I think I got it, but wanted to see it in print!

Reading Recommendations from Barack Obama

Things Fall Apart, recent edition of novel published in 1958

Things Fall Apart, recent edition of novel published in 1958

I love this list from Barack Obama – his favorite, or with the British and Nigerian spelling, “favourite” – books by African writers. He posted the list to Facebook. I read about it on Brittle Paper.

Obama was about to visit Africa for the first time since he left the presidency. He said, “As I prepare for this trip, I wanted to share a list of books that I’d recommend for summer reading, including some from a number of Africa’s best writers and thinkers – each of whom illuminate our world in powerful and unique ways.”

I expected his first choice: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

His second is A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o. I haven’t read this, and I’m adding it to my list. He says it’s, “A chronicle of the events leading up to Kenya’s independence, and a compelling story of how the transformative events of history weigh on individual lives and relationships.” I’ll take the recommendation to my Mount Holyokle book group next month.

Here’s the Brittle Paper post. Click on “continue reading” to see it all.

For Summer Reading, Barack Obama Lists Some of His Favourite Books by African Writers

Have you read any of these? Which ones? Which is your favorite?

New York For a Day

One of the break dancers at Times Square

One of the break dancers at Times Square

On Wednesday I went to New York to see my friend Marilyn. We had a delicious lunch at the Italian restaurant Bocca de Bacco, then went to a Broadway matinée.

The Band’s Visit takes place in the Middle East. An Egyptian band, on its way to a cultural festival, gets lost and ends up in a small village in Israel.

The play is the story of the surprising and touching interactions between villagers and band members during the course of their night together.

Break Dancers at Times Square

Audience members lined up for a break dancer to leap over them!

Audience members lined up for a break dancer to leap over them!

After the play we walked to the subway station, passing through Times Square. There were many street artists. We watched a group of break dancers, at least that’s what I think they would call themselves.

Several young men took turns doing gymnastic feats. Then they pulled people from the crowd to stand in a line while one of their members did a running jump, ending in a somersault, over the group!

The crowd was enthusiastic. Then the performers passed the basket, I donated $10 in honor of Kelvin, our son-in-law, who was a break dancer in his much younger days!

Author: Catherine Onyemelukwe

Author, blogger, speaker. Born in New York, grew up in mid west United States, lived in Nigeria for 24 years, back in U.S. since 1986. Advocate for racial justice.

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