Black History Month | Calgary Public Library

A Memoir

by Jones, Saeed

Book - 2019

Saeed Jones, a young, black, gay man in 1990s Lewisville, Texas, fights for his place in society. Jones shares his evolution from childhood and adolescenc...Show more Saeed Jones, a young, black, gay man in 1990s Lewisville, Texas, fights for his place in society. Jones shares his evolution from childhood and adolescence, and his relationships with his family, lovers, friends, and strangers. Critically acclaimed, and filled with heartbreaking honesty, this gritty coming-of-age memoir is a must read. Show less

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Vanguard

How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All

by Jones, Martha S.

Book - 2020

An important and revealing history of African American women. Martha Jones not only recounts the iconic moments, but also the often overlooked and forgott...Show more An important and revealing history of African American women. Martha Jones not only recounts the iconic moments, but also the often overlooked and forgotten stories of black women in the fight for women's right to vote; women who worked alongside white suffragettes and defied both racism and sexism to secure the equality and dignity of all persons. Show less

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The Yellow House

by Broom, Sarah M.

Book - 2019

Sarah Broom's award-winning debut memoir is a rich portrait of her family and her childhood home in a neglected neighbourhood in New Orleans. Filled with ...Show more Sarah Broom's award-winning debut memoir is a rich portrait of her family and her childhood home in a neglected neighbourhood in New Orleans. Filled with colourful stories of her neighbours and her local community, it also offers a history of New Orleans, and the far-reaching devastation of Hurricane Katrina on the city and its inhabitants. Show less

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Overground Railroad

The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America

by Taylor, Candacy A.

Book - 2020

This insightful read explores the role and impact of The Green Book, a travel guide for black motorists published from 1936 to 1966. At a time when it cou...Show more This insightful read explores the role and impact of The Green Book, a travel guide for black motorists published from 1936 to 1966. At a time when it could be dangerous and difficult for African Americans to travel because they were denied services at most white-owned businesses, The Green Book listed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that were safe for black travelers. Show less

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Thick

And Other Essays

by Cottom, Tressie McMillan

Book - 2019

This collection of wise and witty essays offers an examination of race, feminism, and culture covering a wide range of topics including womanhood, body im...Show more This collection of wise and witty essays offers an examination of race, feminism, and culture covering a wide range of topics including womanhood, body image, and media representation. Cottom's work focuses on the experiences of black girls and women, and is both personal and political, sharing details from her life, observations of society, and sociological research and theory. Show less

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South to Freedom

Runaway Slaves to Mexico and the Road to the Civil War

by Baumgartner, Alice

Book - 2020

On the eve of the Civil War, thousands of people in the south-central United States escaped slavery by crossing the southern border into Mexico. This impo...Show more On the eve of the Civil War, thousands of people in the south-central United States escaped slavery by crossing the southern border into Mexico. This important new perspective is based on research into Mexican and American archival collections and examines the political and diplomatic relations between Mexico and the United States. Show less

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Tacky's Revolt

The Story of An Atlantic Slave War

by Brown, Vincent

Book - 2020

Tacky's Rebellion was an uprising of slaves, many of whom were originally from Central Ghana, that took place in Jamaica from May to July 1760. It was the...Show more Tacky's Rebellion was an uprising of slaves, many of whom were originally from Central Ghana, that took place in Jamaica from May to July 1760. It was the most significant slave rebellion in the Caribbean in the eighteenth-century, with far-reaching consequences for other colonies. This revealing and well-researched account of slavery and the fight for freedom is captivating. Show less

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How to Be An Antiracist

by Kendi, Ibram X.

Book - 2019

Why do the divisions and inequalities of racism remain so prevalent in society? Through self-examination, Ibram Kendi considers his own path to antiracism...Show more Why do the divisions and inequalities of racism remain so prevalent in society? Through self-examination, Ibram Kendi considers his own path to antiracism amid ideas on ethics, history, law, and science. He seeks to help us see all forms of racism with greater clarity and understanding, and, in turn, how to make a difference and work towards social equality. A thought-provoking read. Show less

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The Truths We Hold

An American Journey

by Harris, Kamala D.

Book - 2019

US Vice-President Kamala Harris's inspiring vision is informed by her childhood as a daughter of immigrants; a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. "...Show more US Vice-President Kamala Harris's inspiring vision is informed by her childhood as a daughter of immigrants; a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. "The Truths We Hold" shares the journey of Harris’s life, from law school to prosecutor, from District Attorney to her entrance into political office. Show less

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Afropessimism

by Wilderson, Frank B.

Book - 2020

Frank Wilderson combines the theory of “Afropessimism” with memories of his own childhood in Minnesota, experiences at Berkeley in the 1960s, and time spe...Show more Frank Wilderson combines the theory of “Afropessimism” with memories of his own childhood in Minnesota, experiences at Berkeley in the 1960s, and time spent in apartheid South Africa. He refers to philosophy, literature, film, and critical theory to examine the reality of our inherently racialized existence. Wilderson is Professor and chair of African American studies at the University of California, Irvine. Show less

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White Fragility

Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism

by DiAngelo, Robin J.

Book - 2018

Robin DiAngelo, a sociologist with a PhD in multicultural education and more than 20 years experience as a diversity trainer, provokes conversations on wh...Show more Robin DiAngelo, a sociologist with a PhD in multicultural education and more than 20 years experience as a diversity trainer, provokes conversations on what it means to be white. She examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively through self-examination and by understanding that racism is a system rather than just a slur. Show less

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