[Corrected Link] Thoughts on our present moment, a book list, and some writing
Dear Friends,
I hope you are healthy and as well as you can be under the circumstances.
As we see the lid ripped off the ugly underbelly of America, we white people can see what our black and brown friends and neighbors have always known. Our country was founded on a crime that we have never adequately addressed, and we were expanded with a genocide. Until we own our history, we will continue to tear ourselves apart. And yet, I am guardedly optimistic that we won't be able to hide behind the veneer of our own, false mythology much longer.
Many years ago, I made it a practice to read one book by a person of color for every book I read by a white person. In short order, I had no need to be intentional about this, there were too many books by people of color I was anxious to read. You will not be surprised that my perspective was deeply affected by this practice, and more to the point, enriched in a thousand ways I'll never be able to articulate. I wondered if it might be useful/helpful to share some of the books that have provided nourishment and education over these years. This "tip of the iceberg" list contains some of the books that have informed my journey to try to confront my own racism. You can find it here. Please send any feedback that feels appropriate.
I am in the process of compiling a list of organizations led by people of color that have been deeply engaged in abolishing the criminal justice system as we know it. Unfortunately, police brutality and mass incarceration are not new issues. There is an extensive network of organizations, big and small, that could use donations. If you would like me to share that list with you, please let me know.
Finally, I am happy to share two new pieces:
1. My NPR review of Sejal Shah's This is One Way To Dance, a beautiful book of essays on being a full- blooded American with Indian heritage, and just how the color line affects that experience.
2. An interview for Bloom on Michelle de Kretser's new essays on Shirley Hazzard. Shirley Hazzard is one of my favorite writers (I especially love The Great Fire). Hazzard grew up in Australia, lived in Hong Kong as a young woman, and traveled the world, eventually living between the US and Italy. De Kretser is a well-known Australian novelist who grew up in Sri Lanka. She brings great insight to Hazzard's work.
Thank you so much, and please stay healthy.
Love,
Martha