Do I have a diverse bookshelf? Pt 3 :Social Justice & Activism
Our reference blog refers to these types of reads reveal how environmental factors, school, and family background play a large role in what children become passionate about and in how and why people fight against violence and discrimination.
I think a lot of the books I mentioned in Part 2 would count in this category. However, what I’m going to do here is list books that continue to show me there is inequality in this world, how and why it happens and how I can understand it better. And as such, how I can be more aware of and do what I can to support the push against it.
Originaria: Antología de once mujeres poetas en lenguas indígenas
In this anthology I picked up at a reading in Mexico City, 11 poets of the many indigenous people in the country come together to share their work. The poems are presented in the indigenous tongue and Spanish, which I can read. In all my reading and encounters with original people and many minorities, it’s clear that their work—especially if it’s written in their native language—is a political act whether they intend it or not. It’s a wonderful anthology. Hopefully, it will make it to English one day.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Really the whole quartet is about activism and social justice—the fight for love, light and the essence of every person’s humanity in the whole universe. In this first book, fraidy-cat Meg Murray is dragged into a fight for all our individuality against her will. In addition, the qualities that she sees as flaws will prove to be her strengths. I think a lot of social justice literature is also about the author coming to accept their identity in spite of all the ambiguity and mixed messaging that the world throws at them. That’s another reason this book belongs here.
Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
In the States, we know that racism and discrimination exists. And yet, it remains mindboggling how much it still distorts our interactions. In this hybrid poetry novel, Rankine reaffirms the racial distortions that still affect all of us from the backlashes against Serena Williams to the continued police shootings of black men. Powerful. Provocative. It’s a mix of memoir, art, poetry, journalism and history.
Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
This novel is definitely considered a classic, but probably is rarely thought of as a work of social justice or activism. However, I still feel so much anger over the gendered violence thrown upon our heroine at the hands of her father, male relations and husband. It’s all about them - boo hoo! I think it’s always telling when you can read a book about rural England in the 1800s and see clear modern examples of how women’s purity, sexuality, beauty and social position are still used against them. It’s an amazing book. But I will never forgive Angel Clare ever! What an idiot!
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
This is probably another questionable title here. By modern “woke” standards, the Scarlet Pimpernel is a man of privilege who is larking about Revolution-era France for the spirit of adventure. But I wanted to end this list on a positive note. The reason I’m including this book here is because while the first part is true, the band of the Scarlet Pimpernel is also interested in saving innocents from the guillotine. Yes, the aristocracy was complicit in their degradation and subjugation of the peasantry. However, does that give anyone just cause to take an eye for an eye? I’ve actually read all the books in the series. And the Scarlet Pimpernel risks life, limb and love with just his wits to save aristocrats, peasants, innocent bystanders, children from the blood bath. It’s all very adventurous and thrilling, and it’s nice to know that sometimes the good can triumph.
I think a lot of the books I mentioned in Part 2 would count in this category. However, what I’m going to do here is list books that continue to show me there is inequality in this world, how and why it happens and how I can understand it better. And as such, how I can be more aware of and do what I can to support the push against it.
Originaria: Antología de once mujeres poetas en lenguas indígenas
In this anthology I picked up at a reading in Mexico City, 11 poets of the many indigenous people in the country come together to share their work. The poems are presented in the indigenous tongue and Spanish, which I can read. In all my reading and encounters with original people and many minorities, it’s clear that their work—especially if it’s written in their native language—is a political act whether they intend it or not. It’s a wonderful anthology. Hopefully, it will make it to English one day.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Really the whole quartet is about activism and social justice—the fight for love, light and the essence of every person’s humanity in the whole universe. In this first book, fraidy-cat Meg Murray is dragged into a fight for all our individuality against her will. In addition, the qualities that she sees as flaws will prove to be her strengths. I think a lot of social justice literature is also about the author coming to accept their identity in spite of all the ambiguity and mixed messaging that the world throws at them. That’s another reason this book belongs here.
Citizen: An American Lyric by Claudia Rankine
In the States, we know that racism and discrimination exists. And yet, it remains mindboggling how much it still distorts our interactions. In this hybrid poetry novel, Rankine reaffirms the racial distortions that still affect all of us from the backlashes against Serena Williams to the continued police shootings of black men. Powerful. Provocative. It’s a mix of memoir, art, poetry, journalism and history.
Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
This novel is definitely considered a classic, but probably is rarely thought of as a work of social justice or activism. However, I still feel so much anger over the gendered violence thrown upon our heroine at the hands of her father, male relations and husband. It’s all about them - boo hoo! I think it’s always telling when you can read a book about rural England in the 1800s and see clear modern examples of how women’s purity, sexuality, beauty and social position are still used against them. It’s an amazing book. But I will never forgive Angel Clare ever! What an idiot!
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
This is probably another questionable title here. By modern “woke” standards, the Scarlet Pimpernel is a man of privilege who is larking about Revolution-era France for the spirit of adventure. But I wanted to end this list on a positive note. The reason I’m including this book here is because while the first part is true, the band of the Scarlet Pimpernel is also interested in saving innocents from the guillotine. Yes, the aristocracy was complicit in their degradation and subjugation of the peasantry. However, does that give anyone just cause to take an eye for an eye? I’ve actually read all the books in the series. And the Scarlet Pimpernel risks life, limb and love with just his wits to save aristocrats, peasants, innocent bystanders, children from the blood bath. It’s all very adventurous and thrilling, and it’s nice to know that sometimes the good can triumph.
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