While we should celebrate, commemorate, and learn more about Black history all year round, February in the U.S. is set aside for highlighting the lived experiences, culture, history, social movements, individual and community achievements, and more, of Black Americans.
While looking into our collection as well as lists mentioned by others, a few titles come to mind.
"Killing Rage: Ending Racism," by bell hooks talks about the connection between racism and sexism and the public discourse on it. Brittney Cooper's "Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower," explores powerful Black women whose power comes from how they handle themselves when they face adversity. In the collection of stories in "This Bridge Called My Back: Writings By Radical Women Of Color," a "complex confluence of identities" is explored in greater detail when it comes to race, class gender, and sexuality (as written by the coeditor Cherríe Moraga). And Lani Guinier and Gerald Torres brings forward a new way to talk about race in the 21st century in "The Miner's Canary: Enlisting Race, Resisting Power, Transforming Democracy".
From the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson writes about stories from the early days in history in "Just Mercy: A Story Of Justice And Redemption". Zora Neale Hurston writes about the life of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last people alive who was on the last transport from Africa to America in "Barracoon: The Story Of The Last "Black Cargo". Or, to read more about the Civil Rights Movement as it emerges, "The Fire Next Time" covers many historical events that are both detailed and alarming as to how relevant it is to today.
Jumping into a more current title, in "The Hate U Give", Angie Thomas writes about the complex feelings and situations Starr Carter faces in life. Adapting the Octavia E. Butler novel into a graphic novel, "Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation" draws out the journey of Dana across time and space, into history to meet one of her ancestors.
There are many more titles in the Armacost Library and available through InterLibrary Loan. Search through our collection in person or online and you can always ask a Librarian for more recommendations and locations.
