👶👶👶👶👶: This Is Your Time, by Ruby Bridges

I'm so glad that a sweet Bookstagram friend recommended this book. It is a short, impactful book for young readers, but still packed an emotional punch for me😢. It is filled with historic and gut-wrenching photos, and Ms. Bridges does an exquisite job connecting with her young audience.

The biggest aha moment for me was sharing it with my young boys for Black History Month and recognizing that I've not taught them nearly enough about the history of racial injustice in our country. They were truly shocked that anyone would treat another human being like this in the United States of America. The discussion led to the current state of affairs with regard to racial equality and it was such an eye-opening and productive lesson for all of us.

Ms. Ruby Bridges, if you're reading this, I assume that this was your plan all along: to inform our youth and spark discussion - and that is just what you have done for our family! Thank you for sharing this gift and for your bravery (and that of your parents) during those times of ignorance in our nation❤. 

Read 2/23/21

👶👶👶👶👶: Buses Are a Comin': Memoir of a Freedom Rider, by Charles Person

So I'm wrapping up Black History Month with an extraordinary read. Buses Are a Comin' is a book every American should pick up and is one that would be an excellent addition to any high school curriculum.  Although it will not be published until April 27th, mark your calendars for this very important release.

This first-hand account of the Freedom Ride is so incredibly eye-opening and heartbreaking. I thought I knew the story. I thought I understood their plight. Oh, but I knew so little... so little about the sacrifices made, about the human dignity they put on the line, and about the deeply ingrained ignorance those poor souls were up against.

Honestly, to think that our nation was at a place that we would treat human beings with such utter disrespect is unfathomable to me. After reading the memoir, I continued to research and the discovery that saddened me most of all was the fact that the ignorance was perpetuated by all southerners including Christians who based their bigoted attitudes on "Biblical truths". As a Christian myself, I find this incomprehensible and abhorrent.

Charles Person, the author of this book, is undoubtedly an American Hero, as are the other brave Freedom Riders that boarded the public buses in 1961. The strength, tenacity, and selflessness it took to board those buses is beyond commendable. It is extraordinary. If it weren't for the Freedom Riders taking this step to test the validity of the Supreme Court landmark decision, Boynton vs. Virginia, our progress to equality would have been impeded that much longer. It saddens me to no end to think that such things had to be done to overcome obstacles that never should have been in place to begin with.

Thank you, Mr. Person, for sharing your story with us. I am better for having learned what you endured to better our nation. Although we have so far to go, this is a testament to the power of conviction and pacifism.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me with this early review copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Read 2/28/21

👶👶👶 Traitor: A History of American Betrayal from Benedict Arnold to Donald Trump, by David Rothkopf

First, as a preface to my review, let me assure you that I am not attempting to sway anyone politically in any way. I am first and foremost a seeker of information on both sides of the aisle. I do not purport to know any more than anyone else nor do I expect anyone to share my views. Most importantly, I am not here to judge anyone's opinions, as that is not what I was put on this earth to do... now, with that disclaimer out of the way, perhaps you will indulge me as I review what will surely become a very controversial book.

In his newest book, David Rothkopf shares his hard-hitting, compelling argument in a treatise that commands attention. As he very clearly states, "the purpose of this book, after all, is to understand how history will view Donald Trump's presidency and to examine how his crimes and abuses may compare with those of others who betrayed the country in U.S. history."

Straight out of the gate, David Rothkopf comes on strong with his very first sentence, "The President of the United States is a traitor," in an attempt at a cogent analysis of the current President and what Mr. Rothkopf describes as his crimes. If I'm honest, I struggle with this forceful approach, as it is likely that the only people that will consider reading any further will be those whom already oppose Trump. Therefore, if the author is attempting in any way to sway citizens who have perhaps considered this theory, but are not yet fully convinced, this may be an initial turn-off.

What I most appreciated about Rothkopf is his description of historical events and his detailed account of how our country came to uphold our current political system. As a political historian and scientist, and professor of international relations, this is his greatest strength. The information he presents is meticulous, authentic, and well researched and his intellect lends credibility to his argument. I learned an exceptional amount, and was surprised to discover that some of my historical knowledge had been constructed from a melange of myth and sensationalized legend.

I will be honest, there is a lot of information to digest, and you must be in a "studious" mood to take it all in. However, if you are looking for a fascinating history lesson and an overview of our political landscape, along with a well-construed argument as to why the current president may, in fact, fit this rather harsh label, then get ready for the release of Traitor on October 27th.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Read 10/18/20