Phillippe offers to be your, yes your, black friend in this interesting memoir about his life as a Haitian-born Canadian immigrant who now lives in thPhillippe offers to be your, yes your, black friend in this interesting memoir about his life as a Haitian-born Canadian immigrant who now lives in the U.S. and is an author and academic. His humor—so present in his books—makes an appearance here. And I agree with his ranking of Rory's boyfriends....more
Kiely tells stories from his experience as a white man and makes a persuasive case why white people need to have "the talk" with their kids just like Kiely tells stories from his experience as a white man and makes a persuasive case why white people need to have "the talk" with their kids just like everyone else does.
The entire time I was reading this book I wondered what I would write about it. A friend's review "Read this book!" is spot-on. Coates got me to see tThe entire time I was reading this book I wondered what I would write about it. A friend's review "Read this book!" is spot-on. Coates got me to see the world differently....more
I figured the trajectory of the two Wes Moore's stories before I started to read this book. One was a Rhodes Scholar etc. etc. etc. so he clearly had I figured the trajectory of the two Wes Moore's stories before I started to read this book. One was a Rhodes Scholar etc. etc. etc. so he clearly had the stable-er home life and the loving-er family and on and on. The other is serving life in prison for a robbery/murder and he clearly had the less stable home life, inattentive family etc, etc. I knew there would be a clear line drawn and errors pointing, one to the life of the "good" Wes Moore and one to the life of the "bad" Wes Moore.
Once I started the book I realized I was wrong. This cognitive dissonance is, of course, the book's success. If the path to the good Wes Moore life was that obvious, it never would have been published. My take away from this book is not to decide that an "if only" would have saved the life-in-prison Wes Moore. My take away is to look at every child, even the ones that seem to be on the "bad Wes Moore" path and expect of them that they finish school, procreate responsibly, find work that suits them and live a happy life. To expect less is to give in to the throwaway society we have created for a large subset of our children....more
Civil rights pioneer wrote this book illustrating his journey from civil rights activist to math activist. He sees the disinterest in math education aCivil rights pioneer wrote this book illustrating his journey from civil rights activist to math activist. He sees the disinterest in math education as creating a new generation of "sharecroppers" and has founded the Algebra Project to combat this.
The book spends a lot of time in Mississippi talking about Moses' civil rights days. I was looking for more information about the Algebra Project and lost interest in the book. I might pick it up again later....more
A short book, based on a series of lectures, Tatum discusses her experience as an integration baby and the resegregation of schools today. Many good tA short book, based on a series of lectures, Tatum discusses her experience as an integration baby and the resegregation of schools today. Many good tidbits in this book such as: The ABC approach to creating affirming classrooms: Affirm identity, building community and cultivating leadership. Verna Ford’s mantra: “Think you can—work hard—get smart.” I’m looking forward to reading the author’s other book, “Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria?", but it is currently on hold at the library....more
Explains how to have conversations about race in a constructive and courageous way. I liked that the authors were very clear that conversations about Explains how to have conversations about race in a constructive and courageous way. I liked that the authors were very clear that conversations about race would be uncomfortable. They also discussed all the ways people use to avoid talking about race. I entered this book a skeptic, but came out a convert....more
The guide (maybe even The Guide) for white people wishing to examine their own racism. Also the guide for white people who are sure they are not racisThe guide (maybe even The Guide) for white people wishing to examine their own racism. Also the guide for white people who are sure they are not racist, but are concerned about other people's racism. (Note: both of these groups most likely has some white privilege things to acknowledge.) Each chapter ends with discussion questions making this a very good book to use for a study group. Well written and recommended....more