Book Reflection: We Gon' Be Alright

My latest read is the book, We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation by Jeff Chang. The book, first published in 2016, is a collection of essays that analyzes recent issues concerning race in America. Chang takes on many pressing topics including institutional diversity, student protests, cultural equity, urban displacement, and the protests in Ferguson. One common thread that permeates through the book's chapters is resegregation. In his introduction, Chang writes that "even as we have come to mostly celebrate 'diversity,' resegregation is happening all around us: in our neighborhoods and schools, our colleges and universities, even in the culture." This sentence helps set the stage as Chang goes on to highlight the divisions and inequities that still exist in our "post-racial" society. We Gon' Be Alright does an excellent job of discussing social phenomenons that many people feel, but aren't able to articulate. In his diagnosis of issues plaguing American society, Chang provides historical context that helps readers view today's conditions from a broader perspective. Such a timeline of policies and cultural shifts help show that the things we see today don't just happen by chance. Reading this book opened my eyes to the work that still needs to be done to create an equitable society. Though there appears to be progress, racial and economic disparities still exist that significantly affect quality of life for many Americans. These divisions propagate tensions that come to haunt us at times in tragic occurrences. This book details an urgent need for us to begin viewing our future as a nation as interconnected. Chang writes of his own experience as an Asian-American, which highlights the complexities that shape race relations and identity in America. In his conclusion, Chang expresses how critical it is for us to see the humanity in our fellow citizens. It is difficult to read of the pain that has been inflicted upon marginalized members of our society. However, it is necessary to discuss if we are to ever see true progress. We Gon' Be Alright is an insightful dissection of our current times and deserves to be read by all Americans. You can order using the link below. Thanks for reading!

https://www.amazon.com/We-Gon-Be-Alright-Resegregation/dp/0312429487

Book Recommendation: The Anatomy of Peace

My latest read is The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict  by The Arbinger Institute. The book, first published in 2006, uses a powerful narrative that provides you with the tools to combat conflicts at work, school, and in the home. Set at a teen rehabilitation center in Arizona, a group of parents dropping their children off engage in a moving discussion with the center's counselors. Through this discussion, the parents are challenged to re-evaluate their interactions with others, and to begin living in a way that promotes peace. One central idea in this book is transitioning from a heart at war to a heart at peace. It teaches how we often betray our human sense of compassion by treating others as objects instead of people. Further, it discusses how we seek to justify our self-betrayal by constructing boxes of better-than, need-to-be-seen as, and I-deserve complexes. The book uses several real-world examples to illustrate how both sides of a conflict can play a role in maintaining tension. A major lesson I learned from The Anatomy of Peace, is that we must evaluate areas where we need to improve before we can expect a change in others. By using a story, the concepts in this book are both relatable and easy to digest. By adopting the concepts in this book, I sincerely believe that we could begin to work through the many conflicts that exist in today's world. In general, we don't often consider how the opposing party of a conflict is affected by our actions. We tend to get so caught up in winning the conflict that we disregard the humanity of the other party. This book will help you take on a new perspective that both encourages you to consider the humanity in all people and to interact in a way that works in the best interest of all. I strongly recommend checking out The Anatomy of Peace. Feel free to order using the link below. Thanks for reading!

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-anatomy-of-peace-the-arbinger-institute/1107766563;jsessionid=F7DD404A59D1A6AEA9C62A43E9E123FE.prodny_store01-atgap13?ean=9781626564312

Book Recommendation: Dreams from My Father

My latest read is Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by former president Barack Obama. The book is a memoir, first published in 1995 that recounts Obama's early life leading up to his enrollment at Harvard Law School. Throughout the book, Obama takes a deep dive into exploring the many experiences he faced growing up as a young biracial man in America. Dreams from My Father is split into three parts, which represents three distinct chapters in his life. The first part is titled "Origins", and analyzes his childhood experiences in Hawaii and Indonesia. He speaks on his relationship with his grandparents, his mother, and the one time in which he was able to meet his father. As you will see by reading, Obama's relationship with his father is a recurring theme throughout the book. He often struggles with the contrast between the physical distance of his father living in Kenya and the intangible influence that follows him around the globe. The second part ,"Chicago", speaks on Obama's time as a young community organizer in the city's South Side. Readers are able to gain a sense of the beautiful struggle that created an intimate bond between Obama and the city of Chicago. It is amazing to see how this period foreshadowed the rise of the future politician. The final part is titled "Kenya", in which Obama takes readers along for the monumental journey of visiting his father's home country. In Kenya, Obama meets members of his paternal family and learns of his rich ancestral history. This was an incredibly powerful part of the book, as Obama is able to gain a sense of himself through exploring this vital piece of his identity. I enjoyed Dreams from My Father not only for its autobiographical perspective of a future world leader, but also for what it had to offer in its story of self-discovery and interconnection of culture. I encourage you to check out this powerful memoir for yourself, which you can do by ordering using the link below. Thanks for reading!

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dreams-from-my-father-barack-obama/1100832650#/ 

Book Recommendation: My Bondage and My Freedom

One of my most recent reads is the second autobiography written by Frederick Douglass titled, My Bondage and My Freedom. The book is a thrilling first-person account about the life of Douglass through his years as a slave and his journey to becoming a freeman. I learned a great deal about Douglass through reading this book and was inspired by his turbulent quest to liberty. He truly transformed his life by educating himself and sought to dedicate his life toward fighting against the slave system. In My Bondage and My Freedom, Douglass provides readers with a window into his thoughts as he faced abuse from slave masters, criticism against his intellect, and inner-conflict as he sought to emancipate himself from the bondage that had held him captive since birth. Through reading this account, I believe we can gain great insight into this period of our nation's history as well as a deeper appreciation for the many individuals that have heroically sought to provide all Americans with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The life of Frederick Douglass is an extremely intriguing story, and I could definitely see a great film being adapted from this autobiography. I strongly recommend checking out this compelling book or at least doing some research on the life of Frederick Douglass. Thanks for reading!

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-bondage-and-my-freedom-frederick-douglass/

Creative Quest Review!

My most recent read is Creative Quest by Questlove. The book was released on April 24, 2018 and is the fourth book by the author. As a four-time Grammy Award-winning musician, disc jockey, culinary entrepreneur, and more, Questlove offers readers an eye-opening perspective on creativity. He explores how we can identify the creative genius within ourselves and make the greatest use of that energy. The definition of creativity is broad enough that this book will connect with people from all walks of life. One of things I learned from this book is that we all apply creativity in some form during our daily lives. Questlove talks about finding that creative spark, dealing with criticism, the science of collaboration, and more in this thought-provoking book. Creative Quest introduces its readers to an array of concepts through stories from the music industry, anecdotes from renowned creative professionals, and enlightening metaphorical viewpoints. This book is especially valuable for young professionals looking to make their mark on the world. I suggest you keep a notebook as you read, to jot down some of the many jewels dropped throughout. Order your copy of Creative Quest using the link below!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07192GT9Z/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Thanksgiving 2K17

There's something special about coming together with family members. You share genetics, memories, and traditions with these people, which produces a unique sense of intimacy. One of my family's most valued traditions is our Thanksgiving reunions. We all travel from our different locations to meet up at a family member's home. It's a time for us to catch up with each other and share details relating to our work, school, and other extraordinary life happenings. This year, Thanksgiving was hosted by my aunt in South Carolina. She did an amazing job to make things flow smoothly, and made sure everyone was comfortable. There was an array of dishes. The food was spectacular, of course. My favorite dishes were the smoked turkey and macaroni & cheese. I definitely overindulged, and had to resist a food coma for the rest of the evening.  After eating, it was time for the Slice of Heaven cooking contest. The contest is a family tradition that was established in 2010. My mother and her siblings compete to make the best version of a chosen food item. This year's food item was cake. We had four contestants this year, and four judges. The winner was none other than my mother. It was her first time winning, and bringing the trophy back home. While everyone was gathered at the conclusion of the contest, another cake was placed on the table. Only this cake was not another contest entry. My cousin and his wife were announcing a new addition to the family. They presented us with a gender reveal cake. It was a huge surprise that no one saw coming. The cake was sliced, and a pink frosting emerged. It was a legendary moment. We all rejoiced with the news that our family was growing. It was a day filled with laughter, joy, and excitement. You wish that times like these could last forever. These times provide positive memories that stick with you for a lifetime. I enjoyed my Thanksgiving, and the day was filled with rich experiences. Just know that I did eventually succumb to that food coma, and didn't awake until around noon on Friday. For a visual representation of my family's Thanksgiving, check out my sister's vlog below. Thanks for reading, and enjoy your holiday season.