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To Live Woke: Thoughts to Carry in Our Struggle to Save the Soul of America
He grew up in the Jim-Crow South. A black male, born in 1951 in deep-South Jim-Crow legally segregated, Louisiana, Nacoste has seen so much. From his education in segregated schooling, to living through the 1973 race riot aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, Navy aircraft carrier, to his becoming a scholar of intergroup tensions, Nacoste has experienced, learned and taught so much.
To Live Woke is built upon Nacoste’s experiences to help us understand—and what we can do about the fact—that America’s unavoidable neo-diversity is being used by those who peddle fear of “them” to tear at the soul of America. The country is being ravaged by intentionally emboldened bigotry that we are vulnerable to because of our nation’s new anxieties about how to interact with people “…not like me.”
Using stories from his life and college teaching, in short essay chapters, Nacoste gives the reader think pieces about today’s American neo-diversity anxieties. He lays out concrete interpersonal strategies anyone can use to confront and disempower bigotry in their everyday social interactions.
To Live Woke is a call to personal action. A call to Americans to live in a way that embraces our nation’s neo-diversity. We can save the soul of America. In this book, Nacoste shows the many Americans who really want us to build that more perfect union, how each can contribute to that effort, how each of us can play our personal part in saving the soul of America, how each of us can “…live woke.”
To Live Woke is built upon Nacoste’s experiences to help us understand—and what we can do about the fact—that America’s unavoidable neo-diversity is being used by those who peddle fear of “them” to tear at the soul of America. The country is being ravaged by intentionally emboldened bigotry that we are vulnerable to because of our nation’s new anxieties about how to interact with people “…not like me.”
Using stories from his life and college teaching, in short essay chapters, Nacoste gives the reader think pieces about today’s American neo-diversity anxieties. He lays out concrete interpersonal strategies anyone can use to confront and disempower bigotry in their everyday social interactions.
To Live Woke is a call to personal action. A call to Americans to live in a way that embraces our nation’s neo-diversity. We can save the soul of America. In this book, Nacoste shows the many Americans who really want us to build that more perfect union, how each can contribute to that effort, how each of us can play our personal part in saving the soul of America, how each of us can “…live woke.”
378 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2020
About the author
Rupert W. Nacoste
5 books15 followers I am a college professor; named distinguished at that. But I do not write my books for other scholars. I write my books to reach the everyday reader-citizen. Pick up any of my books and you will immediately find yourself in conversation with me.
My books include my memoir, Making gumbo in the university (2010; Austin, TX: Plain View Press), Howl of the wolf: NC State Students Call Out for Social Change (2012; Lulu.com) Taking on diversity: How we can move from anxiety to respect (2015; Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books) and my newest, To Live Woke: Thoughts to carry in our struggle to save the soul of America (Loyola University Baltimore, Md: Apprentice House Press)
In each you will find me making some connection to the topic at hand and my life experiences That is obvious for the memoir. But it is also true for my other books. The why is that my way into writing about the nonfiction topics of diversity that I take on, is rooted in my experiences as a black man growing up during America’s time of legal racial segregation, along with my time in the U.S. Navy.
During my service (1972-1976), to deal with its serious racial problems, the Department of Defense trained me (and others) to be a facilitator of racial dialogues among sailors. From that 1974 point onward, adding academic degrees, I have worked as a scholar-activist of interpersonal and intergroup relationships. That work is also how I come to be an Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of Psychology at North Carolina State University.
My books include my memoir, Making gumbo in the university (2010; Austin, TX: Plain View Press), Howl of the wolf: NC State Students Call Out for Social Change (2012; Lulu.com) Taking on diversity: How we can move from anxiety to respect (2015; Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books) and my newest, To Live Woke: Thoughts to carry in our struggle to save the soul of America (Loyola University Baltimore, Md: Apprentice House Press)
In each you will find me making some connection to the topic at hand and my life experiences That is obvious for the memoir. But it is also true for my other books. The why is that my way into writing about the nonfiction topics of diversity that I take on, is rooted in my experiences as a black man growing up during America’s time of legal racial segregation, along with my time in the U.S. Navy.
During my service (1972-1976), to deal with its serious racial problems, the Department of Defense trained me (and others) to be a facilitator of racial dialogues among sailors. From that 1974 point onward, adding academic degrees, I have worked as a scholar-activist of interpersonal and intergroup relationships. That work is also how I come to be an Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of Psychology at North Carolina State University.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 22, 2021
Any time calls for recommendations on bridging divides comes up, Taking on Diversity by Nacoste is always the first book I recommend. This will be another I will start recommending. He does a fantastic job parsing out the whys of the past decade, why certain things have happened, why people feel the way they do, and how to best bridge gaps and embrace the neo-diverse world. This is what White Fragility tried and failed miserably to be. This is how it is done. This book is how you educate people about embracing the differences we may encounter. Point to both the successes as well as the missteps. Show the tactics and steps that work. Those wanting to learn how to navigate and embrace neodiversity should purchase this and Taking on Diversity.
July 8, 2020
This is a must read. If you are looking to learn what you can do to help ‘save the soul of America’ this, and all of Dr.Nacoste’s works, should be in your library :^)
June 26, 2020
Saving the "Soul of America", can this be done? The timing of Dr. Nacoste's latest book, To Live Woke, is uncanny. Just when the events impacting our country and world are as intense as I ever remember, he shares research based, specific strategies for standing up to bigotry. He identifies the source of the tension and aggressive, at times violent, behavior we are witnessing. Further he points out the importance of accepting "people where they are, not from where you think they should be already. " Neo-diversity is Dr. Nacoste's coined phrase which he relates to the rapid social change we are experiencing. I am inspired and now feel that I have the tools to become woke. Thank you, Dr. Nacoste!
June 16, 2020
I am not sure that there has ever been a more important or relevant book to read in the midst of racial injustices. If you are like me, you are feeling pain and want to do something, but maybe you don't know where to start. This book is an easy-to-follow blueprint with concrete actions to make a difference in the world. The author weaves a fast-paced story across chapters, making it easy to pick up and put down, if you only have a few minutes of time. It may be the first thing that has given me hope in the last several months. Pick it up, take notes/highlight and pass along your insights, putting these action steps to use!
July 13, 2020
At first book the started slow, mostly because I have taken a class with Dr. Nacoste and I lived through the stories at NCSU, so the information was not new. For those that haven't heard it, it's very important so I completely understand why it was included! But then I would read a sentence, paragraph, or whole page that completely stopped me. The words were so powerful and relevant to our current society. After finishing the book, I'm left wanting to hear more and also self evaluating my decisions and actions, so I can strive to be a better me in a neo-diverse society. This is a must read for everyone!
October 22, 2020
This book is a must read for anyone looking to expand their mind and learn more about how to deal with the current struggles we all face in America today. It has a mix of personal stories, student stories, and advice on how to navigate our current environment. Not only does it make you think about how to interact with your friends, loved-ones, and colleagues; it also makes you reflect on yourself and your own experiences. I found myself having a true range of emotions during my read and feel that I am better prepared for further neo-diverse interactions. A great tool to use for yourself and to pass along to others! Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews