Race and Inclusion

Racial Justice and Inclusiveness Initiative

 

The Friends of Roslindale Branch Library have formed a Racial Justice and Inclusiveness Initiative to plan educational events, discussions, and presentations related to race, ethnicity, religion, and culture.  We also created a special list of books related to these topics.

Schedule of Events:

Online Race and Inclusion Book Discussion:
How The Word Is Passed
Saturdays, September 11, 25, and October 2
9:15 - 11 AM (Morning) or 2 - 3:45 PM (Afternoon)

We will discuss Clint Smith's new book, How the Word is Passed. A deeply researched and transporting exploration of the legacy of slavery and its imprint on centuries of American history, How the Word Is Passed illustrates how some of our country’s most essential stories are hidden in plain view—whether in places we might drive by on our way to work, holidays such as Juneteenth, or entire neighborhoods like downtown Manhattan, where the brutal history of the trade-in enslaved men, women, and children has been deeply imprinted.

The discussion will happen on Zoom and will be led by local educator Josh Frank.  You can get the book from bpl.org or an online bookstore like Rozzie Bound, which has the book listed on the Friends "Black Histories and Futures" adult virtual bookshelf.  The Friends will receive 20% of proceeds from each book sold.  You can find the virtual shelf here: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound.

Because this is a very popular book, we will have two sessions with 20 participants each on the three dates.  Times: Morning session at 9:15-11 AM and an afternoon session at 2 -3:45 PM.

To register, please email JP Branch librarian Laura Pattison at jamaicaplain@bpl.org.  Please write "How the Word Is Passed Discussion" in the subject line when you RSVP.

  • You only need to register once for all three dates, even if you think you might miss a date.
  • Please choose the morning or afternoon time, and you will be registered for that same time for each date.
  • Laura will register the first 40 people, 20 each for the morning and afternoon groups.  You will get an email if you are registered.  If you do not get an email from Laura, please assume that you are not registered.

This discussion is co-sponsored by the Friends of the JP Branch Library.

Online Race and Inclusion Book Discussion:
400 Souls
November 2021 dates TBD
9:15 - 11 AM (Morning) or 2 - 3:45 PM (Afternoon)

*** Back by popular demand!*** We will discuss the collaborative book, Four Hundred Souls, a unique one-volume “community” history of African Americans.  (We will discuss different chapters than the ones we read last May.) The editors, Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain, have assembled ninety brilliant writers, each of whom takes on a five-year period of that four-hundred-year span. The writers explore their periods through a variety of techniques: historical essays, short stories, personal vignettes, and fiery polemics. They approach history from various perspectives: through the eyes of towering historical icons or the untold stories of ordinary people; through places, laws, and objects. We will also discuss the controversial debate around including antiracist education in schools, especially recent pushback against Kendi's books and the 1619 Project.

The discussion will happen on Zoom and will be led by local educator Josh Frank.  You can get the book from bpl.org or an online bookstore like Rozzie Bound, which has the book listed on the Friends "Black Histories and Futures" adult virtual bookshelf.  The Friends will receive 20% of proceeds from each book sold.  You can find the virtual shelf here: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound.

This discussion is co-sponsored by the Friends of the JP Branch Library.