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I’ve been struggling over this past weekend with what to say and how to say it. The acts of police brutality in this country has been disgusting and the racism of these acts has been revolting. But past acknowledging that, I still get stuck. I support the protests, I’ve been looking at resources, and sharing what I can (Danielle Coke has been an amazing source of beautiful and educational content).
But I think what I’ve always really known is that I’m not the teacher here. I have a level of privilege here that makes me unable to fully grasp and understand the situation. I can sympathize and support, but I will never truly understand.
So instead, I’m going to do what I do best: share through books. I want to share with you the books that have changed my way of thinking. The diverse books that have opened my eyes and kept my brain in motion for hours after I’ve closed it. The books that have taught me about African Americans, Muslims, and Asian Americans, and the racism they all face in America.
Most of these books are fiction (though I threw some non-fiction in there), but they were written by people who experienced these struggles firsthand and created them into a longer story for you to read.
So please take the time to read these diverse books. Learn about these different cultures and communities. Let your eyes be opened to different people, different experiences, and the different struggles that people are facing all over. Understand why the color of your skin can give you a certain privilege or hold you back in life.
Diverse Books
Non-Fiction
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Asha Bandele, Angela Y. Davis
A non-fiction memoir from the women who started the Black Lives Matter movement. I found this book absolutely amazing and I learned so much about the movement that I never knew before.
Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card
by Sara Saedi
At age 13, Sara Saedi discovers her family secret: that she’s been breaking the law since age 2 by simply living in the United States. From there, she shares her 18 year journey to citizenship.
Fiction
Americanah Paperback by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
After growing up in Nigeria, Ifemelu travels to America for college where she learns about the differences between being African and African American. At the same time, her childhood friend, Obinze, learns what it means to be a Nigerian living in the United Kingdom. I absolutely loved and 100% recommend this book.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
After being the sole witness to watching her friend be murdered by a policeman, Starr has to decide if she wants to remain as an anonymous witness or come forward and loudly join the protests in her community.
Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
After Zayneb, the only Muslim in her class, is suspended for confronting a racist teacher, she is sent to her aunt’s house in Doha for spring break.
Color Me In by Natasha Diaz
After her parent’s divorce, Nevaeh finds herself torn between her biracial roots: her black mom’s family home in Harlem and her Jewish’s dad’s home in the suburbs.
Pride by Ibi Zoboi
A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, Pride dives into gentrification, class, and cultural identity, all placed around one block in Brooklyn.
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
After being labeled a hoodlum at school and finding herself the center of a controversey, Bri funnels all of her energy into building her rap career and helping to save her family.
Frankly in Love by David Yoon
Frank Li has fallen in love. But it means he’s going to break his parent’s one rule: date Korean.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
The Civil Rights Movement has just reached Tallahassee, and Elwood Curtis has done everything he could to keep on the straight and narrow. But one wrong mistake lands him in the juvenile reformatory: Nickel Academy.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
This book tells the story young black woman is wrongfully accused of kidnapping a child and how her life unfolds from their as she experiences a quarter life crisis while the mother continues to mismanage trying to make up for the situation.
If you have any additional book suggestions, resources, or organizations in need of donations at this time, please share them in the comments below!
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Asha Bandele, Angela Y. Davis
Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi
Americanah Paperback by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Love From A to Z by S.K. Ali
Color Me In by Natasha Diaz
Pride by Ibi Zoboi
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Frankly in Love by David Yoon
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid