BOTW 4/15

By Paige Waskow

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

By Peggy McIntosh

The book of the week is not exactly a book. Instead, I thought I would post this resource about white privilege.

What is it about?

This resource, which comes from a larger publication by McIntosh, helps identify what white privilege looks like in everyday society. This list of statements allow the reader to look at their own lives and see how they are able to interact with the world in comparison to others. White privilege does not always mean active violence, it is ingrained in every part of society.

Here are the first seven (out of 50) examples from McIntosh's list of what white privilege looks like:

"1. I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.

2. I can avoid spending time with people whom I was trained to mistrust and who have learned to mistrust my kind or me.

3. If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live.

4. I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.

5. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.

6. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.

7. When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my color made it what it is" (McIntosh 1988, 2).

                                   

via GIPHY

Why did I choose it?

I think this resource is a great way to target what privilege looks like for white people. What I mean is that as a white person, I am able to ignore or more seamlessly move through society in a way that people of color cannot. I get to choose whether or not I want to think about how society is privileged to white people. I do not have to experience it.

All of the statements that McIntosh mentions are crucial to understanding what white privilege looks like, and they should make you uncomfortable- especially if you are not a person of color. I think this source challenges my normal and helps me remember to be aware of what I can do without feeling awkward, fearful, isolated, or ignored because of the color of my skin. It is so so so important that those who have privilege in society challenge themselves to see bias and then change how they act or don't act. One thing that I have learned is that listening and learning go a long way. Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack is a way to actively listen and challenge the status quo.

Where can you view it?

Right here! This is a PDF document of the list (but not the whole publication).

Is there anything else you should know?

If you would like to view another post I wrote about white privilege, you can click here. I added some resources that I have found useful to that post. Additionally, if you have any resources, comments, or questions, please leave them below. Happy reading!

References

McIntosh, Peggy. 1988. "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack." (part of "White Privilege and Male Privilege: A Personal Account of Coming To See Correspondences through Work in Women's Studies") https://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/mcintosh.pdf. April 17, 2019.

BOTW: April 10th

By: Paige Waskow

The Sun Does Shine:

How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row

By Anthony Ray Hinton

What's it about?

What is it like to be on death row? What is it like to be innocent on death row? What is it like to be a black man, innocent of a crime but convicted for it, and on death row?

Anthony Ray Hinton tells his true story of growing up as a black man in Alabama, being accused of murder, and being sentenced to death. Not only is he completely innocent, but he spends thirty years of his life on death row before getting out. His story recounts the trial, the injustice and inequality of the system, and how he grows in spite of his circumstances. Hinton fully describes the hardship of being on death row and losing so much of his life to it. He speaks of his troubles with belief in God, fear of never seeing his mother again, frequently hearing and smelling men being killed near his cell, and struggling with how to get out. He also describes his incredibly journey in being able to make friends and share his knowledge with fellow men near his cell. He even starts a book club. Although he is in the worst of situations, he is able to serve the people who are on death row through kindness and compassion.

Why did I choose it?

This book affected me so deeply and profoundly. As mentioned above, it is not simply a story of injustice, but also one of strength and growth. Hinton has to face what I can only imagine as one of the most entirely life shattering and deeply horrifying experiences a person can live through. And yet, even after losing it all, he is still able to help other people. It is hard to describe the book without giving too much away, but I promise it is worth the read. I love books that challenge the status quo, and Hinton absolutely does this. But, he does it through love and compassion, which are seemingly impossible from being in the circumstances that he was put through. I highly recommend this book as it will challenge you, probably make you cry (or at least feel some serious emotions), and shares a powerful example about how love wins over racism, privilege, pain, sorrow, and inequality.

Where can you get it?

The Sun Does Shine is available at the Cedar Rapids Public Library (CRPL). You can get a CRPL card anytime for free.

Is there anything else you should know?

A part of the book recounts Hinton's journey to get off death row with help from lawyer Bryan Stevenson. I have written a few posts before mentioning Stevenson, specifically the BOTW post on Just Mercy which he wrote. If you are interested, you can view that post here. Additionally, I highly recommend checking out Stevenson's firm the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI). You can view their website here.

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References

Equal Justice Initiative. EJI. 2019. https://eji.org/

Hinton, Anthony Ray. Hardin, Lara Love. The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row. St. Martin's Press, 2018.

BOTW: April 1

By Paige Waskow

The Help

By Kathryn Stockett

What's it about?

What does it look like to be a black women in 1962 in Jackson, Mississippi? If you guessed difficult and taking the punch of a racist and white privileged society, you'd be right. The Help tells the story of three women who work together to challenge the status quo and poor treatment of the black women who work as "the help" for white households.

When you read, you meet Abilene, Minnie, and Skeeter, three women who lives and experiences look very different. Abilene is a black woman who works for a white family and takes care of their daughter. Minnie also works for white families, but has trouble keeping jobs because of her tendency to tell her employers how she really feels about them (which at this time is not seen as a good thing). Skeeter is white, but also doesn't fit into the mold that her friends and mother want her to. As their lives in Jackson begin to overlap, these three women become the power behind a movement to challenge the sexist and racist status quo.

via GIPHY

Why did I choose it?

The Help is not only a wonderful drama, but it gives insight to what it would have looked like to live in the South in the 1960s as a black woman or a white woman. Neither, as seen in the story, has a large amount of power, but as you can imagine, there is certainly an extreme hierarchy even between women. I chose this book because it, from what I know, does a good job at identifying the ridiculous amount of privilege white women had over black women, who at this time, found employment as "help".

This book identifies the realness of social and economic segregation after legal segregation was abolished. It welcomes the reader to understand privilege and white social supremacy while also just being an incredibly well written book. Stockett is able to portray the many faces of social expectations of women, whether black or white, and how we all do worse because of those expectations. The book challenges beauty standards, work ethic, injustice, loneliness, racism, sexism... the list goes on and on.

It's also incredibly hilarious. Like this book is HILARIOUS. The ways in which the main characters push back against the status quo is brilliant and uplifting. They don't back down from hardship and challenge those who have a lot of power and say in their lives. They grow in community and strength. These women are incredible and complex characters.

Where can you get it?

The Help is available at Coe's library and at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. If you don't have a library card, you can get one for free whenever the library is open. You can visit the CRPL website here.

Additionally, The Help was also made into a great movie in 2011. It stars Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone. You can also get it at either of the libraries mentioned above.

via GIPHY

References:

Stockett, Kathryn. The Help. Penguin Books, 2009.

BOTW image made with Canva.

BOTW March 11

By Paige Waskow

The Book of the Week is:

Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution

by Janette Sadik-Khan and Seth Solomonow

"If you can change the street, you can change the world."

                                 

via GIPHY

What's it about?

How do you manage making sure millions of people from one place to another on a daily basis let alone try to change how they get around? Whether we think about it or not, streets are incredibly important. As former transportation commissioner of New York City, Janette Sadik-Khan did just that. This book is her journey, achievements, and failures.

Sadik-Khan introduces the reader to streets in the eyes of an urban planner. Questions such as: how do you maintain what exists so that people can drive or walk while also making the street safer for everyone? and how do neighborhoods vary in transportation opportunity? are frequent topics of consideration. She covers how to read the street and how to make it better for people, communities, and local business rather than strictly cars. Her work challenges the status quo and makes bikes, pedestrians, and those who take public transport just as important as those who drive. It also addresses how to change a busy place, such as Times Square, and make it into a place where people can stop and just be.

Why did I choose it?

Streetfight is an excellent introduction to the work of an urban planner. I knew nothing about how transportation planning really worked until I read this book. I went in with an expectation of it being good, but was surprised by how fascinated I was within the first few chapters- I couldn't put it down.

I am a huge biking and walking advocate, and it was really amazing to see how a more sustainable and safe city could be made. By challenging the status quo, Sadik-Khan brings real hope and action to how we view the street. It inspired me to challenge my own views of cars, not that the book says that they are bad, but how we can make the street a more equitable and community-based place.

Growing up in St. Louis, I have seen a lot of the impacts of how transportation opportunity affects so much of what a person can do. Not having a car here in Cedar Rapids has taught me the value and privilege of being to drive and the need for universal bike lanes and reliable public transportation. This book was an answer to a lot of the burning questions I had about how to solve these problems. Of course, I still have a lot to learn, but I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to change the city they live in.

Where can you get Streetfight?

Sadly, this book is not available at Coe's library or the Cedar Rapids Public Library. If you are really interested in reading it, it is available for purchase on Amazon or other online book-selling services.

If you have a book you love and want to see as a BOTW, leave a comment below!

Happy reading!

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References:

Sadik-Khan, Janette, Solomonow, Seth. Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution. Penguin Random House LLC, 2017.

BOTW February 11

By Paige Waskow

The book of the week is:

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

What's it About?

Starr Carter lives two different lives. One is in Garden Heights with her family and the other is at an majority white high school, Williamson Prep. Keeping the two Starrs separate is something that she has learned to do. As she puts it, Garden Heights Starr would be considered "too ghetto" at Williamson and Williamson Starr would be "too white" in Garden Heights.

When Starr's childhood best friend, Khalil is shot and killed, murdered, by a white police officer, she is thrust into the spotlight. As the media explodes over the event, she must decide how she will respond. Does she speak up as the key witness? Does she stay quiet at school? How does she heal and move forward when most of the world is against her?

Why did I choose it?

&  Learning Commons writer Jasmine Barlow's take on it!

I choose this book for a lot of reasons, but mainly, I was blown away by its complexity. Thomas does not stray away from hard topics and the layers of white privilege that are a constant in our society. There is so much, SO much I did not know going in. Some aspects, such as the continuation of police brutality, white privilege, and double standards, were things I was familiar with. But Thomas doesn't simply outline these issues. She shows how deeply interconnected and real they are. The story not only focuses around police brutality but dives into topics such as separation of black and white neighborhoods, black women dating white men, being one of the only black people at a school, blaming a black victim's life choices for their death but giving immediate grace to a white officer, the ability for white people to listen to R&B or rap without being seen as "ghetto" but people of color being judged for listening to it .... the list goes on and on and on.

The Hate U Give was not a book I could put down. The characters are so vividly created, their stories perfectly webbed together to create an unforgettable story. Thomas does incredibly well to make the story feel like it happened in real life. She leaves you changed.

What Jasmine says about the book:

"My favorite book is "The Hate U Give". It was the first book to make me cry (not just "feel sad", many tears fell in many different chapters) because I relate to Starr. I love reading and have read many fantastic books, but Starr was the first person I could truly understand. It hit home and I recommend everyone to broaden their horizons and learn how people of different backgrounds and cultures see the same world, through what they have to live through. I tend to be drawn towards books written by Black women, but I've never read a character so close to my age, from the same time period, from a big city. I'm still in awe."

Where can you get The Hate U Give?

This book is available at Coe's library and the Cedar Rapids Public Library. If you don't have a CRPL library card, you can get one for free anytime!

The Hate U Give was made into a movie last year, and it. is. amazing. I highly recommend it (but read the book first!). Both Coe's library and CRPL have the movie to rent for free.

Is there anything else you should know?

Angie Thomas just came out with a new book! It's called On The Come Up and is about a high school girl who is aspiring to be a rapper. I haven't read it yet, but based on Thomas' work, I'm sure it's going to be great.

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via GIPHY

If you have a book you love and want to see as a BOTW, leave a comment below. 

Happy reading!

References:

Thomas, Angie. The Hate U Give. Harper Collins Publishers, 2017.

Learning Commons Book Favorites!

By Paige Waskow

What do the writers of the Learning Commons Blog like to read?!

From social justice to sci-fi to romance, check out the list of unique books below!

Bridget Atkinson-Moore
Recommended book:  The Hand of the Devil by Dean Vincent Carter

Why it's one of my favorites: "One of my favorite books to read over and over again (I read it at least twice a year, once for Halloween and once sometime during the spring) is The Hand of the Devil by Dean Vincent Carter. It's such a great horror story set on a remote island with really great creepy imagery. It made me scared to encounter a mosquito for a while after I first read it!"

Jasmine Barlow
Recommended book:  The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Why it's one of my favorites: "My favorite book is "The Hate U Give". It was the first book to make me cry (not just "feel sad", many tears fell in many different chapters) because I relate to Starr. I love reading and have read many fantastic books, but Starr was the first person I could truly understand. It hit home and I recommend everyone to broaden their horizons and learn how people of different backgrounds and cultures see the same world, through what they have to live through. I tend to be drawn towards books written by Black women, but I've never read a character so close to my age, from the same time period, from a big city. I'm still in awe."


Arabella Chamberlain
Recommended book:  Saturn Run by John Sandford

Why it's one of my favorites: "This book tells a story of drama, mystery, science, and a great race through space. It's such a page-turner and full of surprises. Sandford's voice is really enjoyable and makes the story come to life. With moments of drama and suspense to moments of hilarious absurdity, this sci-fi is one to pick up."

Taylor Nosekabel
Recommended book:  Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Why it's one of my favorites: "I love this book because the main character is very relatable and it deals with difficult family topics in a believable and understandable way. Also, the romance is fantastic."


Paige Waskow
Recommended book:  Artemis by Andy Weir

Why it's one of my favorites: "Artemis is a really unique book that is incredibly imaginative. It follows the life of Jazz Bashara on Artemis, the first city on the moon, and her accidental involvement in a very complicated space heist involving global powers. It is action packed, hilarious, and science-y. I enjoyed it so much that I read it in two days."

If you have any favorites, leave them below for others to see.

Happy Reading!

via GIPHY, Ana Caro

My thanks to the writing commons blog writers for their willingness to help make this post and interest in reading.

Image made with Canva

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Need a Book?

via GIPHY, Benjy Brooke

By: Paige Waskow

     The world of books is massive. From Shakespeare to Maya Angelou to John Green and many, many in between, it is hard to know where to start. Whether you are looking for adventure, a good scare, or a personal biography, hopefully the list below will help you find some reads you are interested in! This is not a complete list of genres or titles. If you have any books, authors, or genres you recommend, leave them in the comment section.

General:

If you want to read popular books, classics, or iconic titles (such as 1984, The Color Purple, and Beloved) check out these books everyone should read. Or maybe you are competitive and want to read the 200 books from this website (including The Book Thief, Speak, and The Great Gatsby). It could also give you some general ideas of books to read.

Horror, Fantasy, Sci-Fi:

Sadly, Halloween has come and gone, BUT if you are still feeling spooky or want to explore the world of horror, check out these stories from NPR. Or maybe you want to take a look at some of the best of fantasy and sci-fi. Check out this article of 100 fan-favorite books.

Examples include: Frankenstein, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Yellow Wallpaper, Brave New World, and Fahrenheit 451.

Mystery Books:

Often overlapping with horror, social justice, or sci-fi, mystery books are a lot of fun, come in a diverse landscape of whodunits, and challenge our perception of the world. Check out this list of favorite mysteries or this list of crime mystery.

Examples include: And Then There Were None, The Godfather, The Da Vinci Code, Shutter Island, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.

Books by Women of Color:

Although the list below includes women from all backgrounds, women of color have been writing for many years and yet, they are often overlooked as writers. Check out this list of books that everyone should read or this list which specifically has newly released books from 2018.

Examples include: Americanah, The House on Mango Street, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Binti, and When They Call You a Terrorist.

Books by Women:

From horror to justice to classics, women have written impressive and diverse books. If you are looking for recent books by women, check out this list of 35 books. If you are looking for a large list of books with famous women authors and praised books, check out this list.

Examples include: The Handmaid's Tale, Song of Solomon, The Harry Potter Series, Where'd Ya Go Bernadette, and Pride and Prejudice.

Books about Social Justice Issues:

If you are looking for books that address social justice issues (including police brutality, homophobia, and immigration) in both the United States and the world check out this long list of books. If you want a shorter list to choose from that is only fiction, take a look at these reads from the Seattle Public Library.

Examples include: Just Mercy, Between the World and Me, The Hate You Give, I am Malala, and How Dare the Sun Rise.

Biographies, Memoirs, and Autobiographies:

People's personal experiences shape ours. We are motivated by those around us and their stories. Check out this list of 100 Biography and Memoirs to learn more about human hardship, success, and life.

Examples include: The Diary of a Young Girl, Unbroken, Persepolis, 12 Years a Slave, and A Walk in the Woods

Books about the Environment:

Maybe you heard of the United Nations report on the state of our climate. Perhaps you want to learn more about why people are so invested in the climate change debate. Or maybe you want to learn more about the issue or transcend political boundaries. Check out this list if you are interested in climate change effects or this list if you want to read fiction stories with an environmental message.

Examples include: Who Fears Death, Climate Change: What Everyone Needs to Know, Six Degrees, The Sixth Extinction, and Gold Fame Citrus

Additional Reads that are not part of the lists: Silent Spring, The Water Will Come, The Human Age, Drawdown, The Nature Fix, How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate, Eco-Mind, and Truth to Power

Happy Reading!

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References:

     Bologna, C. (2018, March 14). 35 Must-Read Books By Women From The Past 5 Years. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/35-books-by-women-writers-from-the-past-5-years_us_5a8c6b2ce4b0273053a54eb8

     Blair, K. (2018, March 10). 23 Books by Women of Color You Need to Read in 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from http://www.keishablair.com/uncategorized/23-books-by-women-of-color-you-need-to-read-in-2018/

     Carroll, T. (2017, December 29). These 8 Books are Fiction, but Climate Change is Not. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://electricliterature.com/these-8-books-are-fiction-but-climate-change-is-not-977f94d7b30

     Chui, A. (2018, August 06). 30 Books Everyone Should Read At Least Once In Their Lives. Retrieved October 29, 2018, from https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/30-books-that-everyone-should-read-least-once-their-lives.html

     Depenbrock, J. (2017, June 30). Summer Reading For The College-Bound. Retrieved October 30, 2018, from https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/06/30/534458892/the-books-college-kids-are-reading-this-summer

     Doyle, J. (n.d.). The Best Female Authors of All Time. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.abebooks.com/books/best-female-authors/index.shtml

     FamousAuthors.org. (2012). 10 Best Mystery Books of All Time. Retrieved November 8, 2018 from https://www.famousauthors.org/best-mystery-books

     GoodReads. (n.d.). 100 Biographies & Memoirs to Read in a Lifetime: Readers' Picks (1203 books). Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/85102.100_Biographies_Memoirs_to_Read_in_a_Lifetime_Readers_Picks

     GoodReads. (n.d.). Best Crime & Mystery Books. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/11.Best_Crime_Mystery_Books

     GoodReads. (n.d.). Popular Social Justice Books. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/social-justice

     Mayer, P. (2018, August 16). Click If You Dare: 100 Favorite Horror Stories. Retrieved November 1, 2018, from https://www.npr.org/2018/08/16/632779706/click-if-you-dare-100-favorite-horror-stories

     Paul, C. (2018, January 10). 11 Must-Read Books By Women Of Color Coming Out In 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.bustle.com/p/11-new-books-by-women-of-color-everyone-needs-to-read-in-2018-7839819

     The Seattle Public Library. (n.d.). Social Justice Books for Teens - The Seattle Public Library. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://seattle.bibliocommons.com/list/share/200121216/675212937

     Sutter, J. D. (2015, May 20). Books: 12 must-reads on climate change (2 degrees). Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/19/opinions/sutter-2-degrees-book-club/index.html

     Weldon, G. (2011, August 11). Your Picks: Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books. Retrieved November 8, 2018, from https://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139085843/your-picks-top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books

     Wright, K. (2018, March 3). 49 Books That Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime. Retrieved October 29, 2018, from https://www.bookbub.com/blog/2018/03/03/books-that-everyone-should-read

     Zottino, T. (n.d.). 200 Books Everyone Should Read - How many have you read? Retrieved November 1, 2018, from https://www.listchallenges.com/200-books-everyone-should-read

Image made with Canva

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