Social justice – Page 6 – kindread spirits

True: The Four Seasons of Jackie Robinson by Kostya Kennedy

Posted on August 23, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

Jackie Robinson broke barriers. He broke through barriers when he joined the Montreal Royals, and then he broke through even more dramatically in the US when he joined the all-White, Major Leagues, as a Brooklyn Dodger. With his unique batting stance, his gutsy base-stealing, and his overall agility and competitive exuberance, he was a shining light for his team and for anyone lucky enough to be in the stands to watch him play. And while he encountered innumerable incidents of racism, he always maintained a calm demeanor even as he spoke his mind plainly. Through his larger-than-life image of poise and strength of character, he and his wife, Rachel, became integral to the advancement of civil rights in our country.

In this colorful depiction of the life of Jackie Robinson, we are given an insider’s view of his life and his struggles, his victories and his pain. Kennedy, through extensive research and a clear understanding of the game, gives us not only detailed descriptions of pivotal games played by Robinson – helping us to feel almost as if we ourselves are sitting in the stands – but also how Robinson must have felt during those games. We are deeply disappointed and hurt alongside Robinson during tours in the South, as he eyes his fellow teammates remaining on their bus destined for their all-White luxurious hotels, when he has to get off the bus to stay at a Blacks-only hotel or private home. We feel the resentment he feels as he continues to see, year after year, no Black managers or team officials in spite of his continued advocacy for this. But we are also thrilled by his wins and inspired by his accomplishments.

What I loved about this biography of Jackie Robinson was the tribute given to his wife, Rachel. It seemed that Robinson himself gave her so much credit for his success – and that was evident here in this book. Theirs was a true love story; they seemed to be a genuine team in love and in life. While she was a homemaker for much of his baseball career, she was trained as a nurse and an educator, and she returned to working once their children were grown. Later, she also helped to forge the advocacy and fundraising he began, long after his death.

You definitely have to have an interest in baseball to get through this book, as there are many detailed descriptions of games, plays, and players. But if you do, you will also learn quite a bit about how baseball lived as a metaphor for many, particularly those in the 1940’s and 1950’s, in Jackie Robinson’s heyday, for some movement toward the advancement of civil rights in this country.

The House Party by Rita Cameron

Posted on August 3, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

Posted on August 1, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

Much to Smita’s dismay, she has been brought back prematurely from her vacation in the Maldives to India, where she’s sworn to herself not to return. And worse, she has been brought back not to tend to her friend, as she’d believed, but rather to take over her friend’s news story that is quite controversial. The story is that of Meena, a Hindu woman who dared to marry a Muslim man. Seeing this as a slight against their honor, Meena’s brothers sought vengeance and torched her husband to death and left Meena maimed by the fire. She is now awaiting the verdict of their revived murder trial and Smita must cover the story. But at what emotional cost to herself?

This is an extraordinarily trying narrative to take in – not only as a woman, but as a human. The repugnant misogyny and collusion chronicled here is not unique to India, but exists around the globe, and is promoted, even exalted throughout. So often, whether in the name of God, religious extremism, or just “family honor”, women are treated as if they are either property of men or as if they do not exist at all. Even here in our first world country it exists, where women’s rights are being chipped away daily, leaving us with less pay, less agency over our bodies, our choices, our rights to be our truest selves in this world.

The writing here is crisp, the imagery vivid, and the characters capture our hearts immediately. We are curious about Smita’s struggle with her homeland and her story is also extremely powerful, also rooted in hateful extremism. It is clear why she is a journalist and why she seeks to document the world’s troubles. She has been borne of them and has lived them.

This novel is well-written and while it is a painful book to ingest, it carries a message that must be heard. I very highly recommend it – but definitely not a “beach read!”

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

Posted on July 26, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

In this novel, we meet Changez, as he relates the story of his youth to an American stranger he meets in a public square in Pakistan. We hear about his journey to Princeton and then to New York, his successes and struggles as he moves forward academically, socially and romantically. We also learn about how his experience as a brown man following the attacks on the Twin Towers become pivotal to his relationship with America as a whole.

What is most unique about this book is the voice used to tell the tale. Changez is sitting with the American, whose name we never learn, and we hear his side of the conversation throughout the narrative. It is a wonderful way to convey the story, in that we can envision the two men, dining at a table in the market square, as the light dims with the passage of time.

While this conversation scene is fairly tranquil, the subject matter is not. Changez is subjected to constant “othering” during his stay in the US. Even prior to the World Trade attacks, he is never quite included in social circles, never quite one of the crowd. Even in his romantic relationship, which is more imaginary than real, he is never loved or appreciated for who he is, but rather tokenized and used. One can certainly understand the rage that gradually builds and builds until he finally, much to his own surprise, implodes.

This is an iconic work. It is a quick read, but has so much to teach us packed into its pages.

Caleb’s Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

Posted on July 16, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

Bethia is thirsty for knowledge, hoping to absorb anything she overhears her father teaching her brother, Makepeace. Now that she is primarily responsible for the household, since the tragic death of her beloved mother, she is no longer privy to formal education. In fact, she was fortunate to have any at all, given her female status in the 1600’s in Puritanical New England, specifically on the island of what is now known as Martha’s Vineyard. What her father did not know, was that she had also formed a hidden friendship with a native American boy, a “salvage” as they were referred to. It was him with whom she was able to feel her true self, exploring the island, arguing points of philosophy, and exchanging details of their respective cultures. This would prove to benefit them both – as they would both later utilize these skills and mutual understanding to move forward in their lives, and ultimately effect the course of history.

This work of fiction is based on the true life of Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck, the first Native American to attend Harvard College. It is a fictionalized version of his path to obtain the training and the knowledge necessary to matriculate, based on both historical research and the author’s imagination. It is a dramatic story, replete with those who supported him and those who intended him harm. And while we wished him success in his venture, it was unclear if his venture itself was his own undoing.

Throughout the story, the author raises the eternal question of whether integration into mainstream society is a positive or a negative – if it ultimately saves or destroys. For the Native American at this time in their history, when the English were just beginning to overcome them in numbers and in force, it was an extremely dangerous and solemn state. The English were focused particularly on trying to convert the native tribes to Christianity, feeling they were saving the souls of these “salvages,” yet never accepting them fully as their own. On the other hand, the author frequently highlights the ways in which the native cultures uniquely valued the preservation of the land, the full and economical use of the animals they had to kill, and their intimate knowledge of uses of native herbs and plants for food or for healing.

Hearing the story from the perspective of Bethia was also powerful. Women at the time were no more than chattel, and her experience was a strong example of this. Going from a carefree young child who had free range of the island to one who quickly had to adapt to running a household – and worse – we follow her through the full experience of being given little if any agency over her own life decisions.

While the writing here is solid, I have liked other of Brooks’ books more. I believe this book could have been edited down a bit, and more might have happened earlier to keep things moving more quickly. Nevertheless, it is a compelling story and one of tremendous import to tell. A worthwhile read.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Posted on July 6, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

Olivia has done what she can to protect her son, Asher. Raising him as a single mom, providing him a safe home even when money was tight – she has given him all that she could. And he has seemed to flourish, excelling privately in art and more outwardly both socially and in hockey, a sport quite popular among his peers in his New Hampshire high school. When attractive, somewhat shy, newcomer to the school, Lily, arrived, he was in the right place at the right time, introduced to her by his closest, oldest friend and they immediately hit it off. Little did anyone know how it would lead to a fatal incident and a court case that would upend all of their lives.

Out of a literal dream of Boylan’s, grew the coming together of two talents to compose a powerful and insightful work of literature. In this novel, we find every important element: complex character development, the spinning of a suspenseful plot that is constructed both backwards and forwards – and actually works! – and an opportunity to learn. We learn about beekeeping – which is interesting at times but does get perhaps a bit too detailed at other times, in my opinion – and we learn about the experience of being trans, which is, also in my opinion, invaluable.

I find it fascinating how two authors can come together and write a novel that reads so seamlessly. It demonstrates collaboration at its finest. Clearly they have each edited each other’s work such that there is a united style that is woven throughout and it gives the novel a single tone and clear voice.

I also deeply appreciate what we learn from the perspective of the trans voice. While I have personally worked some in this area, I feel I always have more to learn and I always appreciate when I am helped by those who are generous enough to share their experience with those of us cis folks who have had the privilege to have not struggled with these issues. It is not their responsibility to do the work for me, and at the same time, I am grateful to be able to benefit from their thoughts and experience so that I may become better.

This is an important story in so many ways, not the least of which is that it’s a gripping, powerful, and enlightening read. Highly recommend this one!!

The Cherry Bombers by Sarai Walker

Posted on June 17, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

Sylvia Wren is quite content to hide away from the world in the Santa Fe haven she’s created with her partner, Lola. While the world knows her art, they do not know her, as she has striven to keep herself as private as she possibly can, knowing only the few she’s had to interact with by necessity – her lovely neighbors (who check in on her, especially when Lola is away), her lawyer, and her agent. All her correspondence is taken care of by someone she’s hired to do just that – so she isn’t sure how this one journalist has managed to penetrate this wall she’s build around her. How did she manage to find out anything about her past? How did she manage to connect those very ancient dots, to dig into who Sylvia really is? Might it be time for this to happen?

While using a highly unusual means of doing so, this story quite dramatically illustrates the outrageously imbalanced and distorted view that society has taken throughout the years when it comes to the mental health of women vs men. When women have presented in any way different, unusual or ever-so-slightly out of whatever the box society has chosen to place them at that time or place, they are deemed “crazy” or “insane” and are either locked away, tortured or murdered for who they are. (Look no further than the Salem witch trials to see a perfect example of this.) In this story, when a mother who predicts the danger her daughters are about to encounter, no one listens and worse, even when she’s right, they attempt to explain away her validated predictions and deem HER as the one who is insane. Again and again and again.

There are certainly many unconventional moments that one has to stretch the imagination to abide. And I also know that there are many things that occur in this world that we cannot explain with our current understanding of the world. But there is also kindness, and patience, and learning from our past. And there is also the knowledge that our past is littered with a patriarchy that has dominated society too often to our detriment. (See all the wars that have occurred throughout history…)

This is a wildly inventive story, full of imagery that will spark your creative inclination. It also carries quite a bit of mystery and suspense. Read it with an open mind and you will receive a worthwhile message here.

Say the Right Thing by Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow

Posted on May 27, 2023May 27, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

There have been so many excellent (and some not-so-excellent) books written about racism, how to be an antiracist, and diversity and inclusion. Many of us have been in trainings, whether through work or community opportunities, to inspire and instill in us an understanding of structural racism and power dynamics. But even while we may have come to have a basic understanding of these concepts, few books lay out the tools of how to be an ally and/or to stay in a growth mindset in such a practical, non-judgmental and concrete way as Yoshino and Glasgow have done here in Say the Right Thing. In addition, the advice here is generalizable to all non-dominant groups – not just racial groups. And, as they point out, almost every one of us may find ourselves in a situation where we are the culprits engaging in non-inclusive behavior, and later be either at the receiving end of it or as an ally. Through vivid vignettes, humble stories about themselves, and relevant research concepts, we are given advice on how to handle each of these scenarios.

What I appreciate most about the writing here is the humility with which the authors share this essential information. While they are both highly qualified to be writing this book – both are attorneys, educators, and come from non-dominant communities – they also acknowledge their own privileges and that we all may fall into spaces of privilege relative to others. Their focus, therefore, is not how to understand the position of the “other” but rather to understand our own obligation to react appropriately when issues arise. We are obligated to check our own reaction if we are challenged by someone about an act we may commit – even unwittingly – and to keep ourselves open to learning how to do better always. They also acknowledge how hard this can be, as almost always our unwitting acts are not with evil intent. But of course, good intent does not preclude harm.

It is an easy read, full of concrete suggestions, and utterly important in this moment of divisiveness and fracture – when communication is essential and understanding is the key to bringing this country back together.

Another MUST READ, I believe.

A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

Posted on May 12, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

Isra has the dreams typical of a young teenager, but hers, she finds, are thwarted time and again, by her mother’s insistence on her adhering to the strict rules of her people. Traditional Palestinian women do not have choices – they are born into the world as disappointments – disappointments first that they are not boys, and disappointments second that they must be groomed forever to be married off as soon as they can be readied. She has been told this ever since she can remember and even though she has dreams of romance, fostered by the books she sneaks into her home, she knows, deep down, that her fate is as her mother’s – she will be a wife, a mother, and no more.

Fast forward, we also follow her daughter, Deya, who is struggling with the same challenges. She is an avid reader, wants desperately to attend college rather than just to get married, but the grandmother who is raising her is insistent that she must marry. This is what traditional Palestinian women do and if she does not, the whole family is shamed. It would affect not only her but her younger sisters as well. And then where would they be? Is Deya trapped? Is Isra trapped? How is one woman’s fate tied to the other?

While I found this story a bit repetitive and almost as predictable, it was, at that same time, a powerful dive into the lives of women of this insular world. Just as with women in extreme Orthodox Jewish communities, women in these isolated Muslim communities are treated as if they have only one purpose – to serve the men in their lives and to procreate to produce, ideally, more men. They are not valued as individuals but rather for their ability to cook, clean, and to service the men. Worse, because they are not valued, they are also not treated with respect and the physical, verbal and psychological abuse they endure can be overwhelming, if not fatal. Of course, this does not represent all Palestinians – just as it does not represent all Jews – but there are communities of insular, extremely religious sects for which this does apply and it is important for these issues to be brought to light. Not just for the young women whose lives are at risk, but for society as a whole.

What I found so fascinating was how very similar the cultures are – Palestinians and Jews in their extreme, religious forms. While politically there are so many tensions between Palestinians and Israelis, religiously there are so many parallels. To those who hold on to the strictest interpretation of their religious texts, whether the Torah or the Quran, life remains as it was centuries ago. There is no value to educating women because they have a specific and limited role in the home and the community and must be guarded at all times. The purity of the woman is the ultimate value and if she stains that in any way (and any stain is her fault, even when it’s not)- even if it is by the pursuit of education alone – that brings a shame upon the family that is a black mark and taints her (and any further siblings’, of course) ability to marry, her ultimate purpose. Any adverse event is covered up in secrecy, denied, and buried so as to avoid any shame to the family – again, to maximize the marriageability of the children.

And escape is hard – because they are not given any opportunity to develop skills that they can use in the outside world.

I think this is an important read to expose this underbelly of a culture that can be colorful and beautiful and otherwise rich with historic value.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Posted on April 11, 2023 by marjorieseidenfeld

Bennie and Byron are both devastated over the loss of their mother. Still, they cannot imagine why they are here, sitting with Mr. Mitch, their mother’s lawyer, just a day before her funeral. What could he possibly have to tell them that they do not already know – she’s their mother, after all. And just because Bennie has felt she’s had to separate herself from her home and family for the past several years after a hurtful Thanksgiving feud, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t know her own mother. Or does it? As Benny and Byron listen to the recording their mother prepared for them just prior to her death, they learn about her real past and how this will impact their lives in the future.

I should have loved this novel. It was told from a 360 degree narrative that I love – the perspective of different voices, involving different time periods. It is enriched with sensory descriptions and with beautiful cultural imagery, particularly when describing Eleanor’s (their mom’s) Caribbean roots. There are messages of environmental and political importance that were worthy of being elevated.

But what was missing, at least for me, was a deep connection to the characters. Maybe it’s that we are told about a palpable anger and resentment between the siblings that permeates the tone of the story, but I feel we don’t really get to know those siblings all that well. We get quick peeks into their lives, brief snippets of their struggles. Byron in his constant state of sullenness is the overachieving Black male, having to outrun his peers just to get ahead. Bennie is the opposite: trying to find herself because she doesn’t fit neatly into any box. But not only is the storytelling somewhat dispassionate, but it is also choppy. We don’t really get to feel their feelings, we don’t see their more tender sides. Little wonder we (or I at least) can’t connect.

What I find here is a great idea with such rich potential, but I do not believe it was as well-executed as it deserved. The story deserved characters served up with deep love, empathy and much more heart. I just didn’t feel that here.