Do I have a diverse bookself? Pt 6: Race & Ethnicity
Our reference considers these books as a tool to build radical consciousness for racial justice and to build awareness of the color-blind frameworks in our societies today.
So I’ll list books in which the authors or characters make that a priority.
Black Boy by Richard Wright
This is the author’s retelling of his upbringing in the South as a black boy and his eventual realization that his writing will be how he will reach the soul of humanity. What drew me most to this title when I read it as a teenage girl was Wright’s evolution into an artist. I would reread the parts where he described his hunger to put power into his words. I try to emulate that even today.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
The characters are victims of colonialism and the Indian caste system—specifically Untouchables vs. Touchables. But Roy’s book makes a definitive argument for the injustice of it all. Much like Tess of the d’Urbervilles, I remember being so angry at the burden these characters had to bear because of SOCIETY. While reading, I knew forbidden love was going to happen. But I was still glad for it in spite of the consequences that came after.
Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks
In college, my playwriting professor introduced us to this play. Then I got to see it in real life. It’s about two brothers who are African-American named Lincoln and Booth. The play details their struggles with race, poverty, violence, women and their troubled upbringing. The stage is just a room, but it’s really America. It’s amazing.
Modern Irish Drama Edited by John P. Harrigton
When I studied abroad in Ireland, I learned that A LOT of Irish drama is political and race-based because the British colonized, subjugated and tried to “integrate” them for centuries. I also learned how a lot of famous writers I thought were English actually were Irish! Please include on the list: Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Bernard Shaw and W.B. Yeats.
Hymn for the Black Terrific by Kiki Petrosino
I heard the poet at a reading, and I wanted this book specifically for a set of poems. She coopts the degrading language written by Thomas Jefferson in his book Notes on the State of Virginia where he argues for the superiority of white Americans over their black slaves. Petrosino takes something ugly and turns it into something beautiful. Power reclaimed!
So I’ll list books in which the authors or characters make that a priority.
Black Boy by Richard Wright
This is the author’s retelling of his upbringing in the South as a black boy and his eventual realization that his writing will be how he will reach the soul of humanity. What drew me most to this title when I read it as a teenage girl was Wright’s evolution into an artist. I would reread the parts where he described his hunger to put power into his words. I try to emulate that even today.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
The characters are victims of colonialism and the Indian caste system—specifically Untouchables vs. Touchables. But Roy’s book makes a definitive argument for the injustice of it all. Much like Tess of the d’Urbervilles, I remember being so angry at the burden these characters had to bear because of SOCIETY. While reading, I knew forbidden love was going to happen. But I was still glad for it in spite of the consequences that came after.
Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks
In college, my playwriting professor introduced us to this play. Then I got to see it in real life. It’s about two brothers who are African-American named Lincoln and Booth. The play details their struggles with race, poverty, violence, women and their troubled upbringing. The stage is just a room, but it’s really America. It’s amazing.
Modern Irish Drama Edited by John P. Harrigton
When I studied abroad in Ireland, I learned that A LOT of Irish drama is political and race-based because the British colonized, subjugated and tried to “integrate” them for centuries. I also learned how a lot of famous writers I thought were English actually were Irish! Please include on the list: Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Bernard Shaw and W.B. Yeats.
Hymn for the Black Terrific by Kiki Petrosino
I heard the poet at a reading, and I wanted this book specifically for a set of poems. She coopts the degrading language written by Thomas Jefferson in his book Notes on the State of Virginia where he argues for the superiority of white Americans over their black slaves. Petrosino takes something ugly and turns it into something beautiful. Power reclaimed!
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