“The future depends upon what we do in the present.” —Mahatma Gandhi Hi, all, and happy Monday. This weekend we grieved. Today we grieve still, but also act. And look, it’s not enough to act when the headlines are focussed on a single horrific event. Change will only come when enough of us act persistently, consistently, and tirelessly—
When George Floyd was murdered my niece, then a seminary student, organized 3 or 4 virtual groups called Time to Talk About Hard Things. We read books about racism including Caste. It opened my eyes and made my heart ache for my Black friends It angers me that I was taught nothing about Black history so I’m trying to make up for lost time.
I have read both "Caste" and "The Warmth of Other Suns", as well as Joy DeGruy's "Post-traumatic Slave Syndrome", all of which explain the current impasse, and even the tendency of Black Conservatives to exceed their White counterparts, in terms of fervour and excessive clinging to conspiracy theories.
Thank you reminding us all about Wilkerson's book, Caste. I would add a powerful companion book, "My Grandmother's Hands," by Resmaa Menakem. He adds insight about how racial trauma resides in the bodies of everyone on both sides of privilege, and cutting edge approaches to working with this residue in yourself. We live in the midst of so much crazy cruelty and also abundant wisdom. Good companions are heartening. Cynthia
I think Caste is so powerful as it shows how contingent or permeating this designation is. As someone of Chinese descent I’ve had white friends say that I seem “completely white to me” which risks denying my ethnicity but I took as saying, “I think of you as a member of our dominant caste,” or, “you kinda belong.” My sister has a close friend of many years, a Black woman (one of the few in her office in the federal govt). They’ve talked of many topics including race after Obama’s election. One day she showed photos of her wedding, which featured many Black friends and family, and my sister realized she never thought of her as Black until then! (Reminds me of the SNL sketch where white america melts down when they realize Beyoncé is Black.) I think these are two examples of how we race or cast people... It’s built in to our society.
And here’s another plug for Warmth. As a child of immigrants this wonderful book gave me knowledge, geography and even a lexicon with which to understand African-American migration patterns. So, so well written and hard to put down. Thank you.
Agree. "Warmth of Other Suns" is an extraordinary book. And yeah, your thoughts on the caste system in our country track with a lot of what she says in the book. That scene where she goes to interview the retail manager and he just can't conceive of the fact that she's a NYT reporter! Just--ugh.
thank you for action we can offer everyone!
Of course!
When George Floyd was murdered my niece, then a seminary student, organized 3 or 4 virtual groups called Time to Talk About Hard Things. We read books about racism including Caste. It opened my eyes and made my heart ache for my Black friends It angers me that I was taught nothing about Black history so I’m trying to make up for lost time.
Yeah, it should be required reading. And we really do need MORE black history--not less.
I have read both "Caste" and "The Warmth of Other Suns", as well as Joy DeGruy's "Post-traumatic Slave Syndrome", all of which explain the current impasse, and even the tendency of Black Conservatives to exceed their White counterparts, in terms of fervour and excessive clinging to conspiracy theories.
Ah! I will have to read the DeGruy book! Thanks for the recommendation!
Just placed it on hold at the library!
Thank you reminding us all about Wilkerson's book, Caste. I would add a powerful companion book, "My Grandmother's Hands," by Resmaa Menakem. He adds insight about how racial trauma resides in the bodies of everyone on both sides of privilege, and cutting edge approaches to working with this residue in yourself. We live in the midst of so much crazy cruelty and also abundant wisdom. Good companions are heartening. Cynthia
Just put it on hold at the library, along with the DeGruy book recommended above.
I will add that book to my list!
I think Caste is so powerful as it shows how contingent or permeating this designation is. As someone of Chinese descent I’ve had white friends say that I seem “completely white to me” which risks denying my ethnicity but I took as saying, “I think of you as a member of our dominant caste,” or, “you kinda belong.” My sister has a close friend of many years, a Black woman (one of the few in her office in the federal govt). They’ve talked of many topics including race after Obama’s election. One day she showed photos of her wedding, which featured many Black friends and family, and my sister realized she never thought of her as Black until then! (Reminds me of the SNL sketch where white america melts down when they realize Beyoncé is Black.) I think these are two examples of how we race or cast people... It’s built in to our society.
And here’s another plug for Warmth. As a child of immigrants this wonderful book gave me knowledge, geography and even a lexicon with which to understand African-American migration patterns. So, so well written and hard to put down. Thank you.
Agree. "Warmth of Other Suns" is an extraordinary book. And yeah, your thoughts on the caste system in our country track with a lot of what she says in the book. That scene where she goes to interview the retail manager and he just can't conceive of the fact that she's a NYT reporter! Just--ugh.
Hi Jessic, I saw you had a question about DemLabs. Here is an example of their content.
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/01/29/geo-target-to-organize-food-stamp-snap-users-denied-meat-republican-proposal/
Oh yeah I've become well acquainted with them of late. Thanks!
Thank you Jess for your tireless work in keeping us moving forward and upward.
Always, my dear!