Over the last several months, my husband and I have made it a goal to support out local bookstore, Old Town Books, by purchasing one book a month there. I’ve been so grateful for their curbside pick-up option!
Last month I purchased Austin Channing Brown’s bestselling book I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. This book has been on my “want to read” list for quite some time. Recently it was chosen as one of Reese Witherspoon’s book club picks and I loved listening to Austin Channing Brown on Brene Brown’s podcast, Unlocking Us.
I was looking forward to reading what I knew would be an eye opening and possibly difficult book. The length of this book is quite small, but the words in it are mighty and powerful.
Short and Sweet Summary
I’m Still Here is Austin Channing Brown’s personal story of finding and claiming dignity as a black woman. From growing up in a world made for whiteness, she had to learn what it means to love blackness. This book is a description of her journey to doing just that. Austin writes in detail about her journey and the things that kill our attempts at racial justice.
What I Loved
This book is an eye-opening look at how white, middle-class evangelism has actively participated in rising racial hostility. It forced me to confront apathy and my own prejudices that can no longer be ignored or accepted.
I’m Still Here was an easy read because Austin is an excellent storyteller. It was a hard read because it contains hard truths of her lived experience as a Black woman in a world, a country, made for whiteness.
I loved the way Austin weaved in her personal experiences and wrote about them. She is a gifted storyteller.
Themes
The themes addressed in this book are racial justice, social justice, dignity and acceptance of blackness. It also addresses Christian faith and, unfortunately, how the church has supported racial injustice and hostility. It is a hard, sad truth that must be reckoned with.
Quote I Loved:
I need a love that is troubled by injustice. A love that is provoked to anger when Black folks, including our children, lie dead in the streets. A love that can no longer be concerned with tone because it is concerned with life. A love that has no tolerance for hate, no excuses for racist decisions, non contentment in the status quo. I need a love that is fierce in its resilience and sacrifice. I need a love that chooses justice.
page 176
Rating
I loved this book and am naming it among my favorites for the year! It will be recommended to many!!