Dear readers,
I cannot find words to express my gratitude. Creating this book club with Rebecca has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences. After the senseless murders of Breona Taylor and George Floyd, I found myself searching for a way to make a difference. With the stay-at-home order in place, avoiding the circumstances was next to impossible. As we were all called to take action, I sought different forms of activism. When in pursuit of answers, self-reflection can play a vital role.
My passion for reading started at a very young age. The way books can take you on a never-ending journey fascinated my youthful mind. That is until I noticed a disturbing pattern. None of the characters reflected my loved ones or me. Unfortunately, this resulted in me losing interest. Fast forward to January 2020, after coming across "An American Marriage" by Tahari Jones, I pledged to read a book a week for the rest of the year. Focusing solely on consuming works written by BIPOC, I discovered a world, unlike any other, where people of color were the center of the story. My love for books reawakened. Through memoirs, novels, and non-fiction, I learned more about the black experience and history than I ever did in school.
After self-observation, I knew that books could play a part in my fight for change. The goal was to create an avenue where individuals could learn about the experiences of BIPOC through reading. What better way to accomplish that than create a book club? While overjoyed by my new development, I also recognized that I couldn't do this alone. Like myself, Rebecca Dunne is an avid reader. Unlike myself, Rebecca is a white woman. I believe unity is one of the many factors needed to create lasting change. With the same name, yet different experiences and outlooks on life, I knew we'd make the perfect match.
Ignorance about race is killing us. We intend to shed light on the voices of the unheard. Through reading, I discovered the greatness that comes from people who look like me. I've also learned about the countless hardships we've faced. If I can touch/inspire one soul through this book club, I've done something right.
"There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now." – James Baldwin
Many thanks to the beautiful people who've supported us throughout this project.
With appreciation,
Rebecca Laurent
Dear readers,
Have you ever had something pointed out to you, and once it is, you can’t unsee it? Then it’s everywhere, all the time. You can’t watch something on TV or read something in a magazine without recognizing it. I think that was what happened to me, because somewhere along the line I saw what racism was, the ugly face of it, and I couldn’t look away.
What a privilege it is to be taught about racism instead of experiencing it.
Rereading some of my favorite books or movies, I couldn’t focus on anything else. The media I held so near and dear to my heart didn’t look like my diverse hometown or my beautiful friends. The media I so easily consumed, unless I made a purposeful effort otherwise, was catered to people who look like me. It was made with me in mind.
When Rebecca Laurent approached me with this book club idea, knowing I was a book nerd, I didn’t just feel honored or touched or excited. While I am most certainly all those things, I am also ready. Rebecca was correct in naming unity as a critical factor in change. We need to stand together to make a difference.
The world has been turned upside down. It is a time of unprecedented challenges and unprecedented change. We have an opportunity to open the conversation, to confront our bias and recognize the ugly face of racism in our worldview. Other white people like me and I must make the concerted effort to consume media that features BIPOC characters and their multifaceted stories. We need to look at each other in the eye and see the pain and the beauty of what it is.
Knowledge is power, and thus, power lies in books.
The journey awaits,
Rebecca Dunne