Reader's Place: Celebrating Black History Month

This month’s focus is on African American artists, writers, activists, and theologians.

How long 'til black future month? by N. K. Jemisin. 2018. FIC Jemisin

Three-time Hugo Award winner N. K. Jemisin's first collection of short fiction challenges and enchants with breathtaking stories of destruction, rebirth, and redemption.

Well-read black girl: finding our stories, discovering ourselves : an anthology,  edited by Glory Edim. 2018. 810.989 Wel

The founder of the popular online book club curates a collection of original essays from today’s best Black female voices, including Jesmyn Ward, Lynn Nottage, Jacqueline Woodson, Gabourey Sidibe, Morgan Jerkins, Tayari Jones and Rebecca Walker.

How not to get shot: and other advice from white people, by D. L. Hughley and Doug Moe. 2018. 818.607 Hug

Legendary satirist D. L. Hughley here uses humor to draw attention to injustice, sardonically offering advice on a number of lessons–a much-needed antidote in these distressing times.

She begat this, by Joan Morgan. 2018. 782.421 Mor

Morgan (When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost, 1999) builds her discussion of CHS Graduate Lauryn Hill’s seminal 1998 album, a reflection point for two intersecting generations of black women, on a framework of conversations with several other music and culture critics, including Raquel Cepeda and Joicelyn Dingle.

On the other side of freedom: the case for hope, by DeRay Mckesson. 2018. BIOG Mckesson

From the internationally recognized civil rights activist/organizer and host of the podcast Pod Save the People, a meditation on resistance, justice, and freedom, and an intimate portrait of a movement from the front lines.

Hallelujah, anyhow!: a memoir, by Barbara C. Harris, with Kelly Brown Douglas. 2018. BIOG Harris

Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris was the first woman bishop in the Anglican Communion. A participant in Dr. Martin Luther King’s march from Selma to Montgomery and crucifer at the ordination of the “Philadelphia 11,” Bishop Harris has been eyewitness to national and church history. In the book, she reflects on her experiences with the “racism, sexism, and other ‘isms’ that pervade the life of the church.”

Compiled by Ina Rimpau