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Monday, December 23, 2024

The Books Will not Save Us

BooksThe Books Will not Save Us

I had spent the night time of November fifth into the early hours of the next morning in a half-awake, half-asleep stupor, caught in a Groundhog’s Day nervousness loop of hallucinations the place I picked up my telephone, noticed that the winner had been introduced, however couldn’t make out a reputation. Then, round 5:30 a.m., I truly did choose up my telephone and actuality twisted into the nightmare my mind had eluded.

My first line of consolation got here within the type of group, and my group is made up of people that worth the identical issues I do, together with books. It’s a aid to convene along with your individuals who say, “I see you, I hear you, and I understand what you’re going through because I’m going through it too.” It’s a aid to see and listen to your fears and outrage mirrored again at you as a result of it means you’re not alone, and for those who’re not alone, perhaps we, the larger nationwide group of similarly-minded individuals can do one thing about what’s to come back. And whereas returning to my books after a day or two spent stumbling round the home bewildered and grieving was one thing I completely did to maintain enriching my life it doesn’t matter what, I didn’t and don’t consider the trail to progress will probably be paved with books and arranged within the quiet corners of our private libraries.

If individuals purchase extra books by Black ladies as a result of they heard we’re fed up with placing our backs into it and getting the least in return, and so they need to present some type of help, I’d like to see it. However I’m reserving actual facet eye for aesthetic e-book stacks with captions about doing “the work.” I don’t have a solution for what is going to raise us above this darkish timeline—I’m nonetheless processing myself—however hiding within the bookshelves isn’t it. I carry this up as a result of whether or not for escape, for inspiration from leaders and activists who rose up towards animosity and effected change, or as an try and learn the tea leaves, as a result of it’s so onerous to know how we received right here, I perceive that books are balms and brokers of change as acquainted and cozy as group. I additionally carry this up as a result of I and different Black e-book professionals obtained requests for academic studying in the course of the protests for Black Lives Matter, and I’m already listening to about requests for books to fulfill this political second.

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