Social Justice Book Club Read #3

 Kerry of Entomology of a Bookworm is hosting the Social Justice Book Club. 

This is especially pertinent for me since I have pledged to increase 

my Nonfiction reading this year, and to include more titles 

that are not purely biographical/autobiographical.

#SJBookClub

The first two books have been A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Read #1--Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

(I have not yet been able to distill my thoughts into a blog posting.)

The work this man does--absolutely amazing!

My first thought upon finishing it? 

"I could move to Alabama and 

work for the Equal Justice Initiative!"

And really, I should! 

What could be more fulfilling?!?

Read #2--The Long Shadow of Small Ghosts: Murder and Memory in an American City

by Laura Tillman

This book is particularly near and dear to my soul. 

Tillman depicts the myriad of disabling characteristics 

that can affect any one of us:

sociological, psychological, emotional, intellectual.

The one takeaway she hopes each reader has?

Crimes derive from and happen to all of us.

Such a deceptively simple sentence, but so full of meaning.

Read #3--The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindnss 

by Michelle Alexander

This book promises to present many facts and statistics

to prove beyond a doubt the 'unfairness' and 'injustice' 

inherent in the U.S. justice system.

I have always said...there is as much 'justice' 

available to you in the U.S. as you can afford!

If you don't believe money is the main determinant 

of who is incarcerated and who is not, 

you don't have much experience with it.

Sad...but oh, so very true. 

Kerry has prepared a short list of questions to serve as an introduction to this third read.

Additionally, she has prepared a reading schedule. 

All this information is here. You can also register to participate while there!

Question #1: Where do you plan on discussing this book the most? 

                       (Use #SJBookClub)

                      

                     Here on the blog, of course. 

                     Goodreads: I typically post updates as I read.

                     Twitter: @BooknMusicLvr 

Question #2: Why did you decide to join in the reading and/or discussion 

                       of this book? 

                       Because I love to learn more about issues that matter to me, and injustice 

                       matters to me...a lot! There is my commitment to read more Nonfiction this

                       year to consider. It is always more fun and much more enlightening to                                        discuss what I read with others. This couldn't be more timely, given the 

                       seemingly recent spate of violent arrests and killings by police that have 

                       hit the news. Though I'm aware for every one we see, there are many 

                       many more that occur, which is even scarier!

Question #3: In the very first line of the introduction to the book, Michelle Alexander 

                     writes, "This book is not for everyone." What do you make of that as an 

                     entree into The New Jim Crow?

                     I believe she is trying to provide further information and ammunition to those 

                     who have at least realized the injustices that have been and continue to be 

                     perpetrated upon certain 'minority' segments of the U.S. population. I hope her                          purpose is to further empower myself and other readers to advocate for 

                     change.

Question #4: What, if anything, are you most looking forward to about this book?

                       I want to know more! I want more facts and figures to throw at people who are                          still clueless or just don't care about the fact that U.S. social systems are 

                       structured to disenfranchise and incarcerate those who have historically been                            discriminated against! More evidence that these same practices have 

                       simply been incorporated into the justice system to accomplish the same 

                       goal(s) of suppression and subjugation. I realize this will make me angry, but 

                       dammit, I SHOULD be angry! As a member of the 'majority' I need to 

                       advocate for 'minorities.' There should be fair and equal treatment for all. That                            is the concept upon which the U.S. is supposedly founded! 

                       (Okay, maybe I'm already angry...but that's okay...)

Have you read this book?

Or any others you feel are similar?

What are your reactions?

If you are curious at all, or just want to discuss these issues, please join us!

Happy Reading, Y'all!