On July 21, Barb Thomas led our Anti-Racist Reading Group in discussion of Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford.  It was a very thought-provoking book and the discussion was excellent.  Thank you, Barb.

The James Baldwin classic, The Fire Next Time, is the September 15 read. The book is two essays that were written in the 1960s, during a time of segregation between white and Black Americans. It explores how race, identity, and power helped Baldwin shape his perspective on race. Mary Anna Newman will lead the discussion.

The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward will be the book for discussion on November 17. It is an anthology of essays and poetry in the format used by Baldwin. It was inspired by the killing of unarmed teenager Trevon Martin in 2012. While seeking to understand and deal with her own anger, the author found solace in James Baldwin’s works, especially The Fire Next Time. It led her to compile an anthology of accomplished authors of the time, to reflect on the racial landscape after the first decade of the twenty first century.

Comparison of the two books should give the reader insight into the progress (or lack thereof) of the racial climate in the United States over fifty or more years.  Please join us on the dates above for an evening of thoughtful discussion. You will receive information later as to whether the meetings will be in person or via zoom.