I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
A bestselling Reese's Book Club pick by 'a leading voice on racial justice' LAYLA SAAD, author of ME AND WHITE SUPREMACY
-
-
4.5 • 2 Ratings
-
-
- €4.49
Publisher Description
A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
'An example of how one woman can change the world by telling the truth about her life with unflinching, relentless courage' GLENNON DOYLE
Austin Channing Brown's first encounter with racism in America came at age seven, when she discovered her parents named her Austin to deceive future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and neighbourhoods, Austin 'had to learn what it means to love Blackness,' a journey that led to her becoming a writer, speaker and expert helping organisations practice genuine inclusion. In this bestselling memoir, she writes beautifully and powerfully about her journey to self-worth and how we can all contribute to racial justice.
'A leading new voice on racial justice' LAYLA F SAAD, author of ME AND WHITE SUPREMACY
'Most people say, "that books has legs"; I measure the impact of a book by how often I throw it across the room. [Austin's book] has serious wings. It broke me open' BRENE BROWN
'A deeply personal celebration of blackness that simultaneously sheds new light on racial injustice and inequality while offering hope for a better future' SHONDALAND
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this powerful book, Brown is up front about her exhaustion with white people as she meticulously details the experience of being a black woman in modern American society. After explaining that her parents named her Austin so that potential employers would "assume you are a white man," she recreates a typical interview and first few months at a new job: "Every pair of eyes looks at me in surprise.... Should they have known? Am I now more impressive or less impressive?... It would be comical if it wasn't so damn disappointing." In clear prose, she relates anecdotes to shed light on racial injustices that are systematically reinforced by the standards of white society. Brown, a Christian, believes the history of American Christianity is deeply intertwined with race relations and that Christian communities need to play a large role in racial reconciliation. Explaining that change needs to come from acknowledgement of systemic inequalities, Brown calls on readers to live their professed ideals rather than simply state them. Though the writing style can be preachy, Brown's authoritative tone and moving message make this a must-read for those interested in racial justice within the Christian community.
