In my last episode on the Mother’s Quest Podcast, Desiree Lynn Adaway and Pamela Slim challenged me to read only books from authors of color for three months.
I decided to start by analyzing just the bookshelf in my bedroom to first get a sense of baseline. Out of 63 books, only 11 were of authors of color. That’s only 17.4% of all the books I had on my bedroom shelves!!
That will change.
In addition to reading from the books on my shelf of authors of color, I’m committed to filling an entire book shelf. I’d love to know some of your favorites in the comments and what you love about them to help me diversify my bookshelf. All genres welcome.
And, I invite you to join me in our Diversity Bookshelf Challenge! If you too are of a dominant identity, and white in this western world that we live in, take 3 months (or 6 months!) to allow new voices to come into our world. In doing this, Desiree says you will never be the same. If you are not white, but interested in diversifying in a way that is meaningful to you, say “yes” to your own challenge too.
how the challenge works:
- Do an assessment first of your library or one bookshelf.
- Take photos, share and declare your intention to diversify your bookshelf too using the hashtag #diversitybookshelfchallenge
- I would love for you to tag me and Mother’s Quest as well so I know we’re in it together.
a few book recommendations:
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Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
From Scratch by Tembi Locke
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
Can’t wait to see how our bookshelves and our perspectives expand together!
Much appreciation,
P.S. Oh…and if you haven’t listened to this episode yet, where the challenge all began, with Desiree and Pamela, it’s a great place to start.
Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/
