As 2022 winds down and things slow down for the holidays, there’s time to read and watch.
The USA TODAY Network Atlantic How We Live team has put together a selection of books, articles and streaming content to enjoy on your weekend, while waiting at the airport for your delayed flight, or waiting for a family dinner that’s taking way too long to start. You can also share these culturally oriented pieces with a loved one or give them as a gift.
Books
“Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Mystery“
Letty Kotin Pogrebin had a distinguished career as the founder of Ms. magazine. Magazine and the author of a dozen books. Her newest, “Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Mystery” (Post Hill Press; September 2022) tells the story of a Jewish immigrant family in Queens growing up and revealing their various secrets while exploring the whole concept of “Shandi,” which is Yiddish for shame.
“Grocery shopping with mom“
Veteran writer Kevin Powell has penned his first collection of poems in 14 years, “Grocery shopping with mom” (Soft Skull Press; December 2022). The 36 poems explore a variety of themes, from his mother getting old to being African-American in our time. It also includes tributes to art heroes such as Hollywood legend Sidney Poitier and the bell maker.
“Running While It’s Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport That Wasn’t Made for Us“
Alison Desire found herself struggling with depression when a friend from high school, who was training for a marathon, encouraged her to take up running. Her life-changing personal journey is chronicled in her book, “Running While It’s Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport That Wasn’t Made for Us” (Portfolio/Penguin; October 2022). Desir also examines how the sport has been a white-dominated space and the challenges facing people of color who take up running.
“Twenty Dollars and a Trifle: Harriet Tubman and the Continuing Struggle for Racial Justice“
In 2016, the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement that the newly designed $20 bill would feature legendary abolitionist Harriet Tubman and U.S. President Andrew Jackson sparked backlash and debate. “Twenty Dollars and a Trifle: Harriet Tubman and the Continuing Struggle for Racial Justice” (City Lights Books; November 2022) Clarence Lussine uses this moment as a springboard to explore the legacy of slavery and white supremacy in this country.
“What’s your zip code story? Understanding and Overcoming Class Bias in the Workplace“
Employees in any workplace share a common goal, but more often than not they come from different walks of life and zip codes. In the book “What’s your zip code story? Understanding and Overcoming Class Bias in the Workplace” (Rowman & Littlefield; May 2022), inclusive coach and consultant CJ Gross examines how social class affects career advancement.
On the topic:Colin Kaepernick, Evictions, and African American Cuisine: What to Read, Follow for the Holidays
Articles
Dotbusters
In the summer of 1987, Indians moving to New Jersey’s second largest city, Jersey City, encountered racist attacks by a group of attackers who called them “dotbusters”. The attacks left a legacy of racist aggression that can be felt years later. this article published in January on NorthJersey.com, looking back at the attacks and those immigrants who fought back.
Churches and reparations
Institutes of faith from New York to Texas are reckoned with their centuries-old involvement in slavery. A history which appeared on DelawareOnline.com in June, looks at how churches are addressing reparations in the United States and leading the way.
Stuffed ham
St. Mary’s County in Southern Maryland has a unique culinary tradition— stuffed ham. The history How this cherished dish has been passed down through the generations in the African-American community originally appeared in April on DelmarvaNow.com.
more:Buffalo’s East Side: A neighborhood devastated by a mass shooting shows the power of community
Documentary films
“Targeting Retribution“
Since 2020, the Paterson Healing Collective in Paterson, NJ has been helping victims of shootings with recovery and trauma and how to not retaliate. It’s 13 minutes documentary by NorthJersey.com and The Record in November follows the group in their efforts and features the victims the group helps.
“Healing the Blight on Buffalo’s East Side“
The mass shooting at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket in May by an 18-year-old white supremacist hit the city’s African-American community hard, as all those killed and injured were black. However, the tragedy hasn’t stopped the two men — who grew up near the scene of the shooting — from working to combat the ravages of poverty and addiction. Their journey from a difficult life to becoming teachers in the community is depicted in it this documentary from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
Ricardo Kaulesar wrote this report. Kaulessar is a culture reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Atlantic Region How We Live team. For unlimited access to the most important news, subscribe or activate your digital account today.
email: kaulessar@northjersey.com
