Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, racism, homophobia, death of a friend, physical violence. This is a series of personal essays about journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson. They explore his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. This was a very moving memoir about George’s life. He describes his past trauma and … More Review: All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Four Hundred Souls is a collection of essays and poems chronicling 400 years of African American history. The essays began in 1619 with the ‘White Lion’ in Virginia and continued until 2019 when a white nationalist was the President. I actually own this as an eBook but when I found that the audiobook is narrated … More Review: Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019
“White rage is not about visible violence, but rather it works its way through the courts, the legislatures, and a range of government bureaucracies. It wreaks havoc subtly, almost imperceptibly. Too imperceptibly, certainly, for a nation consistently drawn to the spectacular—to what it can see. It’s not the Klan. White rage doesn’t have to wear … More Review: White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson
In Uncomfortable Conversations with A Black Man, Emmanuel Acho answers common questions that many white Americans are afraid to ask, but need the answers to. Narrated by Acho, this audiobook takes the listener through these questions, answers, and additional resources for further education. As a fan of Acho’s video series, I knew this book was … More Review: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
“You are racist because you were born and bred in a racist, white supremacist society. White Supremacy is, as I’ve said earlier, insidious by design. The racism required to uphold White Supremacy is woven into every area of our lives. There is no way you can inherit white privilege from birth, learn racist white supremacist … More Review: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Stamped From the Beginning discusses the history of racism and racist ideas in America. Kendi focuses on five main people who have made the biggest impact on racism and anti-racism in our history: Puritan minister Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, W.E.B. Du Bois, and legendary activist Angela Davis. “When men oppress their … More Review: Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
“Like fighting an addiction, being an antiracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination.” In this book, Ibram X. Kendi reshapes the conversation about racism and racial justice in America. He shows us new ways to think about ourselves and others. This is a mixture of historical information mixed with Kendi’s own experiences of … More Review: How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Red-Haired Ash Reads 