Tag: Discrimination

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Fiction

The Office of Historical Corrections

by Danielle Evans, Book 3 of 2021

“Midwest nice was a steady, polite gaslighting I found sinister, a forced humility that prevented anyone from speaking up when they’d been diminished or disrespected, lest they be labeled an outsider.

Danielle Evans, The Office of Historical Corrections

It hurt to read these stories. And NOT because they were bad, but because they were so good. Danielle Evans is a deeply talented writer crafting thoughtful expressions of American life and race relations with just a few short stories. As a white woman, I found myself responding somewhere between cringing and crying throughout these stories. My favorites were “Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain”, “Why Won’t Women Just Say What They Want?”, and “Anything Could Disappear”. I’d recommend this collection to nearly anyone and I’m looking forward to reading what Evans writes in the future. 

Recommended for: Anyone. Just read these. Note: Audiobook lovers, each story has a different narrator and they are all excellent. 

Actions I will take in response to this book: 

  • Reconsider the way “midwest nice” impacts people who don’t fit in with the cultural norms and instead work for meaningful dialogue about differences.
  • Read more short story collections. 

Content Warnings: Violence, Death, Abduction, Racism, Hate Crime

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Uncategorized

The Rib King

written by Ladee Hubbard, Book 5 of 2021

“All of this requires effort on my part. This effort is called work. And when I work I expect to be paid. Paid? That’s right. Cash.”

Jennie – The Rib King by Ladee Hubbard. 

This book was not at all what I expected in the best way. I’ve been reading a lot of historical fiction from African American perspectives but this was a truly unique story. It centers on Mr. Sitwell, a groundskeeper for a wealthy white family who over the course of the first half of the novel, rediscovers some unsettling memories from his past that lead to some unsettling repercussions.

I found myself unable to unplug from the story, needing to find out where the characters would end up. I enjoyed the split structure of the novel. The first and second half are told by two different narrators separated by several years. My one complaint about this was that it felt like it left some key questions unanswered. I’ve seen some reviews compare it to the Academy Award winning film Parasite and I do see some interesting parallels that could make for a great book club discussion. Honestly, I could see a lot of ways this book would make a great book club choice. I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile… 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me an early copy of this audiobook in return for my honest feedback. 

Recommended for: Anyone wanting a new take on historical racial injustice and its intersection with capitalism. Anyone interested in considering the role our biological and chosen families play in our lives and what we owe each other. 

Actions I will take in response to this book:

  • Constantly monitor how the legacy of white supremacy continues to this day and interrupt its modern manifestations. 
  • Pay black women for their work and support black owned businesses.

Content Warnings: Death of a Parent, Violence, Death, Race Violence 

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Uncategorized

What Would Frida Do?

written by Arianna Davis, Book 4, 2021

“Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.”

Frida Kahlo

I have been a Frida Kahlo fan for a long time. My interest in her began in high school when I studied her life and work in both art and Spanish courses. She’s always been a trailblazer that I’ve loved for her unapologetic authenticity.

Thoughts about on book:

Things I love: This book has tons of lesser known stories and excerpts from her personal correspondence. In some ways my appreciation for Frida grew after reading this and in other ways this brought her back down to earth from the pillar she’s been placed on. This book provides a lovely perspective on how to truly live during difficult times. The cover! I know it’s superficial but the cover is joyful and just makes me happy. 

A few things I didn’t love: I enjoyed the lighthearted biographical nature of this book but I do think others may be disappointed that it’s less of a guide than the title would hint at. Many of the stories and historical facts are repeated multiple times and become annoying with each retelling.

Note: This is my first ARC (advanced reading copy) thank you very much to the publisher for sharing the audiobook with me in exchange for my unbiased opinion. 

Recommended for: Anyone feeling limited by their personal circumstances (illness, heartbreak, etc.). Frida Kahlo was an exceptionally resilient woman and could be a source of inspiration for anyone going through challenging times. 

Actions I will take in response to this book:

  • Continue to reaffirm the contradictory and complex nature of all people. 
  • Foster my own creativity and authenticity. 
  • Celebrate my health and appreciate it! 

Content Warnings: Alcoholism, Abuse, Infidelity, Illness, Vehicle Accident, Depression, Abortion

Categories
Blog Fiction

The House on Mango Street

written by Sandra Cisneros, Book 2, 2021

“Friends and neighbors will say, What happened to that Esperanza? Where did she go with all those books and paper? Why did she march so far away? They will not know I have gone away to come back. For the ones I left behind. For the ones who cannot out.”

Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street

I am glad I finally got around to reading this. I feel like it was one of the few books I didn’t read in elementary and middle school. I picked this up in both Spanish and English and read each tiny chapter in Spanish and then in English to check my understanding. I was able to get the general idea even with my limited Spanish language skills and I really enjoyed the mini stories within the greater narrative. Esperanza is an easy to love narrator and I liked the gentle rollercoaster of adolescent problems in comparison to the current state of the world. Ultimately, what I’m most impressed by is the beauty in the simplicity of the writing. It’s widely read for a good reason, if you haven’t already read it, you may want to. 

Recommended for: I’d recommend this to any middle school or late elementary school kids in my life. I’d recommend it to other folks looking for something accessible to read when practicing Spanish. 

Actions I will take in response to this book:

  • This story made me think about what we owe to our communities of origin. As an adult who lives in the same city I was born in, I alternate between wanting to move somewhere that is more aligned with my current values (a progressive city) and my desire to stay here and enact the changes that will make this place better for those who are growing up here now. 
  • I’ll continue to work on local projects that encourage safe, healthy, and inclusivity in my community (not just for those who fit the mold, but especially for those who don’t).


Content Warnings: Drugs, Incarceration, Abuse