With Guests
Bernadette Ray, Assistant Principal Wilson HS, Connector of People & Reader of Books
Hope Teague-Bowling, Pod Spouse, Teacher, Human Observer
Kenny Coble, Bookseller, Eyewitness of the Human Condition
This podcast focuses on the book “Citizen” — a book of lyrical essay-style prose poetry of Claudia Rankine. Nominated for the National Book Circle Criticism Award, this book is a collection of observations, poems, and micro-aggressions (heretofore just aggressions) — people of color face everyday in America.
The litany of examples are exhausiting, eye opening, and evoke a visceral reaction. The discussion centers around specific passages in the book including excerpts from the Serena Williams text, The Jena 6, and Invisible Invisibility.
The images in the book are meant to begin a dialogue and cause an internal emotional response. The images do not disappoint.
The discussion explores John Henry-ism, agressions, when to sigh vs groan at racism, a hilarious tweet thread from Drew in GA, and a solid Master P reference.
Mentioned in the Show:
The Greatest Thread in the History of Twitter and an explanatory article
Dane Caroline Wozniacki imitates Serena Williams
Page 134: “In memory”
An example of the “Situation Videoes” described in the latter half of the text.
Final Thoughts:
Solange’s “A Seat at the Table” is an incredible record
Read this book. Just do it; it’s a great way to engage, or re-engage
Next Audio Book Club: Letters from a Birmingham Jail, October 2017