As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to forge on against violence and systemic racism, the world doesn’t need another think piece from a privileged white girl. Instead, I want to use my space in this week’s column to discuss incorporating Black authors and poets into your reading list.
The literary canon that most of us grew up with in Atlantic Canada is very limited (read: white male), so it is our responsibility to broaden it ourselves. If you, like me, are trying to arm yourself with the information necessary to be a strong ally in the BLM movement, incorporating the work of Black writers into your daily life is a great place to start.
I want to begin with a few of my favourite poets. Rudy Francisco is a spoken word poet and poetry author from California. His debut collection “Helium” was one of the first books of poetry I bought for myself and I still find myself revisiting it time after time. If you are interested in hearing his work read aloud, check out Rudy’s videos on the Button Poetry YouTube channel.
Next is William Evans, a writer and instructor from Ohio, whose book “Still Can’t Do My Daughter’s Hair” explores what it means to be a Black father and husband in contemporary America. If you want to cry, check out his live performance of the poem, “Sickle,” which gives me chills no matter how many times I replay it.
Recently, I ordered the book “My Sister, the Serial Killer” on a whim based solely on the title and cover art. This short, twisted story by Nigerian-UK author Oyinkan Braithwaite quickly became one of my favourite reads of the year. Her writing style bridges poetry and prose with quick chapters keeping you engaged and begging for more.
Because so many great resources have been shared over the past week, I have been jotting down book titles left and right. Here are just a few of the many books I will be adding to my own reading list in the coming months:
• The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas: I can’t wait to get my hands on this book after hearing so many great reviews. It focuses on the fictional story of a routine traffic stop turned deadly for two African American teens.
• Me and White Supremacy – Layla Saad: This journey isn’t supposed to be easy or comfortable, and I have a feeling that Layla’s book on recognizing your own privilege and combatting racism will force readers into uncomfortable self-reflection which is necessary to bring about change.
• White Fragility: Why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism – Robin Diangelo: This is a New York Times bestseller that explores the reaction white people have when asked to examine their assumptions about race.
Whether you prefer fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or essays, there is no shortage of reading material out there. Find something that works for you and put in the effort to make your reading list more inclusive.
Jill Ellsworth is a writer and communications specialist who lives in Dominion, N.S. Her column appears biweekly across the Saltwire Network. She can be reached at [email protected].
