Book: Between The World And Me

Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Book of the week: I feel the same about Black history month as I do about International Women’s Day (wow, we give them a whole day?  Like, one entire full day out of 365? That is so generous, I mean, really, we should celebrate that… a full 24 hours to be acknowledged. Wow.) But I did read this book last month and it is indeed mandatory reading for anyone who wants a (beautifully fucking written) chunk of perspective of what it means to grow up as a black man in America. Framed as a letter to his adolescent son, Ta-Nehisi Coates tackles some of the hugest questions and problems of American history (and present) in the most personal, intimate, and visceral of ways. Even as a Canadian, I know so many people who refuse to properly look at how the struggles of other peoples’ past connects to the comforts of our present, but this book shines a light onto a path that could lead everyone to a more hopeful future. Perspective is a glorious thing and so is that old saying about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes…this book runs a marathon.