I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant
Genre: Nonfiction
Suggested Age: Adults, Older Teens
What is This Book About? Austin Brown details her life growing up as a Black girl/woman in a White America. Her first encounter with racism came at age seven when her parents explained that they had named her Austin so that applying for jobs as an adult would be easier for her i.e. “employers would see the name and think that she was a white male.” Growing up and attending predominately white schools and churches, Austin had to learn to “love her blackness” and later in life to “teach white people about racial justice.” In this era of increasing racial unrest, Austin challenges all of us to examine our attitudes and confront our often hidden prejudices
My Review: I found this book to be very powerful. I was, however, surprised to recognize my own subtle prejudices. Austin herself recognizes that “ the persistence of racism in America-both individual and societal-is altogether overwhelming.” This book challenges us all, both blacks and whites, to examine our beliefs and actions. As a diversity educator, Austin Brown deals with those beliefs, customs, stereotypes and actions that prevail at all levels in our world. I believe, with Austin, that “doing nothing is no longer an option.” All America must deal with our prejudices and work together to change our attitudes now. We can wait no longer for racial equality and racial justice to prevail.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Powerful, Convicting, Timely
Try This if You Like...Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting together in the Cafeteria by Beverly Tatum or Black Lash by George Yancy.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.
