Black, White, and Brown – what difference does it make? It shouldn’t, but it does, evidenced by all the injustice in our society and world history. Books on Racism are selling out right now. We need to understand more than ever, to make changes, to bring about justice for all. My list of book recommendations are below, but first, my thoughts.
The massive protests worldwide over the horrific death of George Floyd—at the hands of a police officer—have given me so much hope for this and the next generation. We have truly become one global community—young and old, Black White Brown, gay and straight and everything in between. I wish that George Floyd could see the love out there and know that we know the treatment he received by the police was unjustified, and that the world won’t let his life and death be forgotten.
Racism
I’ve experienced prejudice in my life, being a child of immigrants, so I understand what it means to be rejected and demeaned by those who think they’re superior. Those wounds cut deep but I don’t know what it’s like to be discriminated against because of the color of my skin. I haven’t experienced racism.
My father did. He was White, but he tanned so deeply, while working in the fields during the Great Depression, that some called him Darkie, a name used for Blacks during the 1930s. He couldn’t find employment, not sure if it was because of that, or because he was an immigrant from Ukraine (back then part of the Austrian Empire).
I knew only one Black man when I was a child, but that experience informed me. My grandmother, Lukia Mazurek (the protagonist in my biographical fiction Sunflowers Under Fire) rented a room to this fine Black man in 1948. Mom and Dad were working in a meat packing plant and my baba was home when Crosby showed up to rent a room in our rooming house. He’d seen a sign in our window. There were few Black men in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the time. He was a musician and a porter. He was so sweet; bought me my first doll. I am so thankful I came from a family that judged someone on how they behaved and presented and not on the colour of their skin.
Superiority
I’ve never understood, even though perhaps I should, given my social work background, why so many think they’re superior to someone else, because of race, sexual orientation, or religion. That’s why I’m so heartened to see so many protesting—old and young, Black White and Brown, gay and straight, and on and on.
Those who are white supremacists are cowards, fearful of losing ground to others. I’m not sure what they’re trying to prove by bullying and intimidating. They look weak, ignorant, and self-serving.
More Than Race
These protests, though emphasizing Black Lives Matter, are more than about racism. They are about the inequities in our world for all mankind. Greed is destroying not only lives but also our planet.
Not too long before the pandemic, Canada had its own protests. Some thought it was about a pipeline, but it was more than that. It was about Indigenous Rights and respect for a voice over their land.
And what’s most remarkable is that these protests are taking place in the middle of a pandemic. These are brave souls taking the time to band together to show those in power that policing has to change. Hope you are all safe and respecting the power of this virus.
Recommended Books on Racism
Books that have informed me about Black lives are: Gospel of Truth, by Caroline Pignat, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Beloved by Toni Morrison, and The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill.
Here’s a list of more recent books on Black Lives in Canada that CBC recommends.
I’ve also tried to understand our history with Indigenous people in our country through reading their stories.
They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellars, and Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese. I was privileged to have met both these authors.
And read Indian Horse, by Richard Wagamese, about his father’s experience in a residential school and/ or see the film.
A Final Thought
Someone once said, You don’t how that person has lived until you’ve walked in their moccasins.
Comments are always appreciated. Thanks for visiting.
I’m hopeful, too, Diana. Hopeful that we’ll see a real change toward equality and not let the outrage fade away as it has done in the past after senseless racist cruelty. Also hopeful that this virus will lose its hold on us.
Absolutely, Jo-Anne. A lot to deal with. I’m especially frustrated that the young have such a mountain to climb. So many big issues to deal with, and a pandemic on top of it all.
As always, a compassionate and insightful commentary, Diana. Thank you! I have had Lawrence Hill’s Book of Negroes in my personal library for many years and am ashamed to say I have not read it. It is now the next book up on my reading list.
I understand your concern for the huge mountain our younger generation have to climb. I, too, worry about the enormity of what lies ahead of them. But I remind myself what boundless energy and passion I had at their age, and so I have faith. We’re older, we’re tired. We’re possibly more cynical at the mere lip service this systemic issue of racialism has received.
Watching Mr. Floyd’s funeral today, I don’t think the younger folk are going to go quietly into the night. I am inspired by their anger, at the same time, their capacity for forgiveness and compassion in the face of such pain. I pray that if we all pledge to do better this will one day change.
Beautifully said, Karen. There is so much promise in the air. We’re all being forced to re-examine our values and the part we play in society. It’s all about change for the better, long overdue.
Excellent post, Diana. You were fortunate that you were brought up in such a family. There is hope as we see so many joining the demonstrations.
I finally got around to viewing “Salton Sea” on Amazon Prime and enjoyed it very much. It could have easily been set in west Texas. Kudos to your grandson! May he have continued success. The characters flowed with the landscape. I will go on Amazon and write a brief review.
Thank you, Jo. Yes, so much hope out there. Sad it took a horrific death to get it going but as so many have said, enough is enough. As we go blindly through our lives, we don’t see all the injustice. So, it is very encouraging to see all that support for Black lives. About time, huh? And thank you for the lovely comments about Michael’s film and for your plan to write a review. As you know, all those reviews help. Stay healthy. Hugs.
Thank you for being aware and showing that you care about the current situation as it applies to racism in our country. Your suggested reading list can be helpful for those who need to know more and to understand the journey. TFS
I am so thankful to all those protesting and hope they’re safe. It’s frankly shocking it’s taken this long. But better late than never. We have a long way to go but it’s a great beginning. Thank you for stopping by and making a comment. By the way, you have a great website. Good luck on your endeavours.
Diana, thank you for your perspective. I am hopeful with this energy for real change to see people without the labels of color, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, poor, rich, intellectual, mental or developmentally challenged, cast, tall, short, thin, fat or any sort of labels. Having grown up in and lived in three different countries, 2 of which as a minority, I’ve never thought of myself as a brown female, but a citizen of the community I lived in and immersed into belonging to it, never an outsider or a minority. In order to belong, I educated myself with the culture of the community I had adopted as my own, and that’s where my love of books came to the rescue. One of the most educational books that helped me understand the black and white relationship in America was “Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson in addition to Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison’s books.
Bela, I hope I got your name right. Thank you for stopping by and recommending “Warmth of Other Suns”. I’ll look it up. And I agree with you wholeheartedly regarding the need to view others outside of labels. I believe we all want the same thing. A comfortable lifestyle, love, and the opportunity to use our talents and skills. I am hopeful too but as my grandson says, we can’t let up. There have been demonstrations in the past, and then the need fizzled out and we all went back to the way it was. Wishing you the best.
Bela, thank you for sharing your perspective of being a citizen of your community vs. the label of a “brown woman.” I love that you took it upon yourself to study how you could best adapt and assimmilate into your chosen place. As a “white” woman, I grew up with a father born and raised in Kenya and then later, living in Nigeria for five years after marrying my mother. He also lived in India for three years. So, I guess I grew up (in the UK, then Canada) being surrounded by people of all races and colours. That seemed normal to me.
Now, many years later, I’m realizing that the prejudice many experience in the most horrific way is way outside my true belief that we are all equal. It’s unfortunately obvious that many don’t feel that way.
Thank you for suggesting Isabel Wilkerson’s book. I’m not familiar with it and will definitely read it.
Diana, thank you for starting this very important conversation. I appreciate having a safe place to learn, make comments…and yes, probably to screw up by not being as aware as I should be!
How interesting Karen, to read about some of your background. I did not know that. I’m stunned that we are so insensitive as a population. The police and the power structures reflect what we believe by and large, which is a tragedy. I am so thankful that so many are speaking up and protesting. I’m hoping for calm. I dislike violence of any kind and the destruction of property. But it seems we’ve reached a point where so many are willing to fight for what’s right, even if that means disbodience. The changes can’t come fast enough. Thank you for your thoughts. xo