
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:
Breathe: A Letter To My Sons
Saturdays, May 7, 14 & 21
9:15 - 11 AM (Morning) or 2 - 3:45 PM (Afternoon)
This special Mother's Day discussion will focus on Imani Perry's Breathe: A Letter To My Sons. Emotionally raw and deeply reflective, Imani Perry issues an unflinching challenge to society to see Black children as deserving of humanity. She admits fear and frustration for her African American sons in a society that is increasingly racist and at times seems irredeemable. However, as a mother, feminist, writer, and intellectual, Perry offers an unfettered expression of love—finding beauty and possibility in life—and she exhorts her children and their peers to find the courage to chart their own paths and find steady footing and inspiration in Black tradition.
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 50% of proceeds from each book sold. You can find the virtual shelf here: https://bookshop.org/shop/rozziebound.
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 Roslindale Branch librarian Jennifer Hawes at roslindale@bpl.org. Please write "Breathe 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.
- Jennifer 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 Jennifer, please assume that you are not registered.