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Portland Reads: Black History Month

by Powell's Books, February 1, 2019 9:15 AM
Black History Month

To honor Black History Month this year, we’ve collaborated with a fantastically broad and fascinating group of local individuals and organizations dedicated to supporting and celebrating the Black community and culture in Oregon to bring you a community-sourced reading list.

The people we spoke with are passionate readers and advocates who believe, as we do, that books are one way to counter misinformation, create empathy, and turn otherness into familiarity. Far from being a passive activity, the books shared here and on our Black History Month homepage show that reading can be a call to action, a prompt for self-reflection, and an important act of recognition across communities.

From classics you may have missed to cutting-edge social theory and the best new YA, we know the community recommendations below will have you reading widely and wisely well past February.
÷ ÷ ÷
Picks from the Black United Fund of Oregon
Since its founding in 1983, the mission of the Black United Fund of Oregon has been "to assist in the social and economic development of Oregon's low-income communities and to contribute to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups."
Their Eyes Were Watching God
by Zora Neale Hurston

One can't go wrong in choosing a book by Zora Neal Hurston. — Dr. Alaiyo Foster, Executive Director

Dr. Foster's other favorites:
Invisible Life by E. Lynn Harris
Black Boy by Richard Wright

Algorithms of Oppression
by Safiya Umoja Noble

This book brings to attention the hard-to-accept truth that search engines are meant to be subjective to societies' stereotypes and how we research information. — Symone Sparrow, Program Manager

Halsey Street
by Naima Coster

For fun, I just started reading Halsey Street. It's a good, entertaining read. — Symone

Hey Black Child
by Useni Eugene Perkins and Bryan Collier

I learned this poem as a child growing up in Chicago. It is a powerful poem, turned book, that reminds Black children of their greatness. — Paula Byrd, Interim Program and Development Associate





Picks from Marcus Mundy, Executive Director of the Coalition of Communities of Color

Formed in 2001 as an alliance of culturally-specific community-based organizations, the Coalition of Communities of Color is committed to addressing "the socioeconomic disparities, institutional racism, and inequity of services experienced by our families, children and communities; and to organize our communities for collective action resulting in social change to obtain self-determination, wellness, justice and prosperity." Currently, the coalition boasts representation from Oregon's African, African American, Asian, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Slavic communities. Executive Director Marcus Mundy wrote us, "I am an older soul, so my choices below will be from the classics, and harken back decades, but I believe all are still relevant today."
The Souls of Black Folk
by W. E. B. Du Bois

Though written in 1903, this book could have been written today, particularly with its framing of the concept of "double consciousness," a condition describing the internal conflict of African Americans in that society (and today). Revealing in that it requires reflection upon the conditions back then, and where we are now. — Marcus

The Ways of White Folks
by Langston Hughes

This book to me, through its amusing and poignant storytelling, illustrates how very well oppressed people understand their oppressors, frequently to the obliviousness of those very oppressors. It also identifies the resilience and strength necessary to get past that reality. — Marcus

Invisible Man
by Ralph Ellison

Invisible Man chillingly describes the sad reality of being invisible to the larger world by dint of your color or perceived station. It chronicles the struggles of one wrestling with such issues in the midst of alleged "change." It demands reflection and a review of what you believe, whoever you are as the reader. — Marcus

Happy to Be Nappy
by bell hooks

As the father of three daughters who matured in largely dominant culture demographic worlds, and dealt with self-image issues in ways their young counterparts did not have to (and which were occasionally fomented by those young counterparts), this book is an absolute celebration and affirmation of their (and all little Black girls') absolute and undeniable beauty, uniqueness, and worth, through the lens of their definitely nappy hair.
— Marcus


Pick from Heather Rowlett, MSW, of the Family Preservation Project

The Family Preservation Project
"promotes individual and system level change to reduce the collateral consequences of parental incarceration on children, families, and communities." The programs FPP directs include a family resource center that works to minimize the barriers between children and incarcerated mothers through educational and support services; a monthly speakers series; an intensive family reunification program that helps guide mothers toward healthy parenting techniques; an amazing audio book program for the children of incarcerated mothers, in which moms read books to their kids; and caregiver support. FPP began as a partnership between Portland Community College and the Oregon Department of Corrections, and now operates under the auspices of the YWCA of Greater Portland.
Dear Ijeawele; or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This has been an incredible tool to use with mothers in the Family Preservation Project as they ponder what kind of mother they want to be, and what sort of children they want to raise. It is beautifully written and quick to consume and we use it frequently to start discussion during class and the individual sessions with incarcerated women. Regardless of whether or not the material resonates with the values of the mothers, it never fails to incite deep and meaningful conversation and analysis of how to best raise children. — Heather




Picks from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Portland
have been providing children, "especially those who need us most," with academic support, athletics and arts programs, leadership opportunities, college prep and employment training, and a safe place to play and discover since 1946.
Sam and the Tigers
by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney

My absolute favorite kids' book is Sam and the Tigers by Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney! It is such a fun story, with an incredible reading cadence, with real voice shining through. This retelling of Little Black Sambo strips away the racism of the original, and reclaims Sam as a hero for children today.
— Beverly Ajie, Director of Youth Services

Other BGC Portland staff recommendations:

The Talented Ribkins by Ladee Hubbard
How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N. K. Jemisin
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

And the work of:
Octavia Butler, Amiri Baraka, bell hooks, and Richard Wright!


Picks from CJ Robbins, Program Coordinator for Black Male Achievement

Black Male Achievement, a program of the Office of Equity and Human Rights for the City of Portland, is designed to help Portland city leaders improve the the "outcomes of Black men and boys in...education, employment, family stability, and criminal justice." The program's mission is to work as a collaborative to improve access to equitable employment and educational opportunities, and to ensure the health, safety, and success of Black men and boys in the Portland community.
Between the World and Me
by Ta-Nehisi Coates

I’m sure you're familiar with this one, so I won’t belabor the point. This book clearly outlines and defines racism rooted in the creation of a racialized caste system in this country and demonstrates how that caste system continues to negatively impact Black people. — CJ

Sula
by Toni Morrison

This book is a literary demonstration of African and African American storytelling through a Southern lens. It is one of my favorite pieces of literature because of how it is carefully and intentionally woven together. I’ve read it several times and can’t stop rereading it. The Bluest Eye could also be on this list for me as a literary masterpiece, which also speaks to the Black woman’s experience. — CJ

The Autobiography of Malcolm X
by Malcolm X

This autobiography could be called Malcolm: From Little to X. Malcolm X’s journey to become a prominent, direct, unapologetic, and stigmatizing leader for racial justice is so honest you can’t help but FEEL some truths about what it means to be Black in America when you are reading it. We are lucky to have the opportunity to learn the layers and nuances of Malcolm X from his experiences in his own words. — CJ

Freedom Is a Constant Struggle
by Angela Y. Davis

A current entry from Angela Davis, one of the world’s greatest intellectuals in the struggle for human rights. None of the research-based expressions of Angela Davis are new in this collection. But, she applies them through articles, interviews, and essays to expose current manifestations of oppression. — CJ

I Wonder as I Wander
by Langston Hughes

As one of the most prolific writers in modern American history (post-European influence), Langston Hughes could be on this list for the entire body of his work. This book is on this list because it shows that the Black experience is not singular. So many aspects of his life and socialization were not common for Black people in his time. Yet, he stands as one of the foremost voices of Black experience in history. It is not unreasonable to call Langston Hughes the greatest and most prolific American author of any race. — CJ

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou

Black women have to combat racism… and sexism. Issues of beauty, patriarchy, abuse, and freedom are at the forefront in this autobiographical piece by Maya Angelou. The brutal honesty with which she tells her own story reveals many aspects of a Black woman’s struggle to become a whole, free, and complex woman. — CJ

The Fire Next Time
by James Baldwin

Only one word for this one: Powerful. — CJ








Picks from the Black Cultural Library Advocates leadership team at Multnomah County Library

The library's BCLA teams collaborate on programming and outreach to better serve and engage with Multnomah County's Black community. With a focus on equity, inclusion, advocacy, and mutual workplace support, the BCLA teams are a central element of the Multnomah County Library system's goal to improve library access through community action research and local problem-solving. In addition to sharing their favorite authors for kids and adults, below, librarian and BCLA team member Alicia Tate put together a fantastic list of books for teens that can be found here. 
The Life of Frederick Douglass: A Graphic Narrative of a Slave’s Journey From Bondage to Freedom
by David F. Walker

This graphic novel was written by a Black Portland writer named David F. Walker and coillustrated by a Black Portland artist named Damon Smyth. It is gaining national attention and is appropriate for both adults and youths that are 13 and up. It is absolutely wonderful and features vignettes that explain why Douglass made many of the decisions that he made. [We] can’t recommend this particular book enough. — BCLA Leadership Team


More recommendations for adults:

Terry McMillan
Henry Louis Gates
Walter Mosley
Mitchell Jackson
Tom Skinner
Howard Thurman
Tayari Jones
Jesmyn Ward
Manning Marable
Stokely Carmichael (Kwame Ture)

Recommendations for kids:
David Walker and Brian Bendis
Jacqueline Woodson
Warsan Shire
Kwame Alexander
Justina Ireland
Renée Watson
Sharon Draper
Jason Reynolds



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3 Responses to "Portland Reads: Black History Month"

Adrienne Torf February 4, 2019 at 01:43 PM
Thanks for the list of recommendations from some important Portland Black voices. It would be great to extend it beyond “the cannon” to include poetry. For starters, how about the unequalled June Jordan and Portland’s very own Samiya Bashir? Phyllis Wheatley? Add Jordan’s collected essays and highly lauded children’s books, like His Own Where, Kimako’s Story and Who Look At Me? Some are out of print but available used.

Helen Gorham February 4, 2019 at 11:56 AM
It would be great to see some works by Charles Waddell Chestnut on these lists.

Paula Alalejah February 3, 2019 at 11:21 AM
I haven't checked the other prompts, but 8 didn't see any recommendations to read anything about or from Marcus Garvey or Booker T. Washington. Was the oversight accidental?

Result(s) 3

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