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Readying to Rise: Essays
Social justice is an ideal. It's not a reality. And while there are moments that make it feel tantalizingly close, the moment that follows often punts it right back to the far distance. Growing up black in south Seattle, journalist and essayist Marcus Harrison Green has a keen sense of exactly where and how things break down. From his own experience in the classroom and at the hands of police to his fierce dissection of the racism baked into media and journalism, Green makes poetry of the clarity that comes after long reflection.
In this collection, Green bears sharp witness to the Black Lives Matter movement, his own journey into and out of religious faith, his grandmother's lessons, his battle with bipolar disorder, human mortality, blatant hypocrisy, and much more.
He shines a light on what hurts the most deeply in us: not only the brutal injustice of a world built by the powerful for the powerful, but the close proximity of that brutality to a persistent kernel of hope.
Yet because there is hope, there is conviction. Green never falters in the knowledge that the struggle itself is something to tie ourselves to and define ourselves by. With astute analyses, evocative imagery, profound empathy, and the ability to laugh at it all, these essays, even with their collective weight, leave us much lighter than they found us.
In this collection, Green bears sharp witness to the Black Lives Matter movement, his own journey into and out of religious faith, his grandmother's lessons, his battle with bipolar disorder, human mortality, blatant hypocrisy, and much more.
He shines a light on what hurts the most deeply in us: not only the brutal injustice of a world built by the powerful for the powerful, but the close proximity of that brutality to a persistent kernel of hope.
Yet because there is hope, there is conviction. Green never falters in the knowledge that the struggle itself is something to tie ourselves to and define ourselves by. With astute analyses, evocative imagery, profound empathy, and the ability to laugh at it all, these essays, even with their collective weight, leave us much lighter than they found us.
- GenresEssaysNonfiction
200 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2021
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Harrison Green
6 books5 followersMarcus Harrison Green began his love affair with the written word at a young age upon his first foray to his local library. Finding himself encompassed by an eclectic assortment of works that included the dramas of Shakespeare, the prose of Baldwin, the comedy of Allen, and yes, even the lyrics of 2Pac, his fascination with the power of words to endure and inspire became ignited.
Coming from extremely humble origins, he was encouraged to put his writing ambitions on hold, while in college, to seek a lucrative career in Finance, graduating with honors as a Business Major and beginning his career as a Stockbroker soon after.
Finding his day unfulfilling and the desire to write still burning vigilantly inside him, he began the ritual of writing as soon as his work day ended until it was almost time for the next one to commence.
Grudgingly content to relegate his passion to after work hobby, he confronted a crossroads in his life courtesy of a very devastating end to a relationship with the woman he planned to marry. While distraught, this gave him an opportunity to reflect on his life. Finally facing the fact that he was miserable, he quit his job to devote his energies full time to writing.
Desperately seeking to come to some internal resolution in understanding the loss of his “Soulmate” he set out on an odyssey across the country collecting stories and anecdotes from the loveless, love struck, and loved alike, of all ages and genders. Distilling the narratives down into one while seeking to capture the enigma of love with both humor and pathos, he wrote his first novel, “A Year Without April,” which has been labeled as the male version of, “Eat, Pray, Love.” It is currently receiving attention from several film studios interested in turning the book into a feature film.
A noted essayist, journalist and public speaker, Marcus aspires to be one of the great writers of his generation. He continues to hone his craft in his beloved city of Seattle while working on both his second novel and book’s film adaptation.
Coming from extremely humble origins, he was encouraged to put his writing ambitions on hold, while in college, to seek a lucrative career in Finance, graduating with honors as a Business Major and beginning his career as a Stockbroker soon after.
Finding his day unfulfilling and the desire to write still burning vigilantly inside him, he began the ritual of writing as soon as his work day ended until it was almost time for the next one to commence.
Grudgingly content to relegate his passion to after work hobby, he confronted a crossroads in his life courtesy of a very devastating end to a relationship with the woman he planned to marry. While distraught, this gave him an opportunity to reflect on his life. Finally facing the fact that he was miserable, he quit his job to devote his energies full time to writing.
Desperately seeking to come to some internal resolution in understanding the loss of his “Soulmate” he set out on an odyssey across the country collecting stories and anecdotes from the loveless, love struck, and loved alike, of all ages and genders. Distilling the narratives down into one while seeking to capture the enigma of love with both humor and pathos, he wrote his first novel, “A Year Without April,” which has been labeled as the male version of, “Eat, Pray, Love.” It is currently receiving attention from several film studios interested in turning the book into a feature film.
A noted essayist, journalist and public speaker, Marcus aspires to be one of the great writers of his generation. He continues to hone his craft in his beloved city of Seattle while working on both his second novel and book’s film adaptation.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 14, 2023
I appreciate the authors vulnerability and range. The brief nature of the essays left a desire for greater depth and exploration of themes, stories, and ideas, but it is a publication of essays appearing in print media so it makes sense. The author being based out of South Seattle, writing about local aspects I know, gave this an heir of familiarity that felt like sitting and hearing thoughts from a friend.
May 11, 2024
Enriching
I have recommended this book to many, especially those I live and work with in King County. I appreciate Marcus' transparency. I know from my own work that many black men see vulnerability as a weakness. It takes much more strength and courage to be authentic. Well done. Thank you for your example.
I have recommended this book to many, especially those I live and work with in King County. I appreciate Marcus' transparency. I know from my own work that many black men see vulnerability as a weakness. It takes much more strength and courage to be authentic. Well done. Thank you for your example.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews