7 Books Every Parent Raising Social Justice Advocates Needs To Read -

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Did you miss the Raising an Advocate series? I’m sorry I’ve been so busy with the research for my dissertation that it’s become harder for me to research those posts as well. Hopefully you forgive me because today I come bearing gifts, and by gifts I mean an excellent summer reading list for parents who are trying their best to raise social justice advocates. I’m teaming up with several Georgia mom bloggers to share our summer reading list ideas. You can browse the others through the links below.

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Can I just say that creating this list was really hard? Part of me felt like I needed to solely focus on books I’ve read so far, but I have so many more on my list that it seemed unfair not to share them as well. In the end I settled for including one that I’ve already read, one that I’m currently reading, and five that are on my list to finish before the summer (okay let’s say year) ends.

#1. Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks

I seriously could go on and on about this particular book, but if you’re still struggling with understanding the need for feminism this is the book for you. It’s a quick read and it’s broken down into several small essays that touch on topics like parenting, class struggle, and even spirituality.

#2. Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving

This is my current bed side table read. So far, I’ve found Irving’s willingness to work through both her own history and privilege to understand race important. Need more? Here’s the back cover’s description

For twenty-five years, Debby Irving sensed inexplicable racial tensions in her personal and professional relationships. AS a colleague and neighbor, she worried about offending people she dearly wanted to befriend. As an arts administrator she didn’t understand why her diversity efforts lacked traction. As a teacher, she found her best efforts to reach out to students and families of color left her wondering what she was missing. Then, in 2009, one ‘aha!’ moment launched an adventure of discovery and insight that drastically shifted her worldview and upended her life plan.

#3. White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son by Tim Wise

I’ve mentioned Tim Wise’s work in previous Raising an Advocate posts. You can read his shorter essays on his own site, but he’s written several longer texts. The first time I heard Tim Wise speak I was an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan and still struggling with the stereotypes of affirmative action. He was one of the first speakers I heard who didn’t focus solely on the racial aspects of affirmative action. It made me do my own research on the subject and helped me get past the insecurity of being a Black woman on a campus where affirmative action was in the spotlight. I’m including him because his voice is well known when it comes to discussions on racism and also because sometimes people are more accepting of these issues when it comes from other white people. I realize that is problematic, but whatever works, right? I chose this one of his texts because my husband read it last year, which means we already own it.

#4. Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong by James W. Loewen

I decided to add this to my summer reading list when one of my students asked me why everything they learned in high school was a lie. Of course I knew about the book prior to that moment, but I never really saw the benefit of reading it because I already knew the lies. I changed my mind because I think it’ll help me better explain these idiosyncrasies to my students. After skimming through it, I believe every parent needs to read this so that you’re able to equip your children with the history they won’t always learn in schools.

#5. Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock

I’ve had a few people ask me to focus on transgender awareness, but to be honest I don’t know much about transgender studies. I tend to focus on the issues that I’ve researched. This does not mean that I’m not an ally for transgender people. It just means that I don’t feel comfortable writing about topics that aren’t my niche. I do realize that it’s a topic that I need to be able to discuss as a mother and as a social justice advocate, so I’m reading Mock’s biography this summer and I’m hoping to interview transgender friends for future Raising an Advocate posts. I hope you will join me in stepping outside our comfort zone and learning more about those who identify as transgender.

#6. The First R: How Children Learn Race and Racism by Debra Van Ausdale

I can’t remember how I came across this particular book, but sometimes I get lost on Amazon and find myself wanting to read books that weren’t even on my radar. This book intrigued me because it seemingly goes against the common mantra that “children do not see color or difference.” I’ve stated why color-blind parenting is detrimental on several different occasions, but I think understanding where our children pick up on biases from is important.

#7. Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji

This is another book that came up during one of my random Amazon searches. I was immediately intrigued by the title because so often people say that they’re color-blind and are good people. The truth is no matter how “good” we think we are we all have hidden biases. I’m hoping that reading this book will help me identify the biases I don’t realize I have, so that I don’t subconsciously pass them down to Sesame.

If you’re looking for books to read to your little one this summer check out my Raising an Advocate Book Ideas (part 1) post.