Black History Month Books

Every year, the month of February is designated as “Black History Month” to pay tribute to the contributions of all African Americans throughout United States history. Black history reveals harrowing truths about our country’s past and the difficult steps toward justice, while concurrently aiding in the understanding of our nation’s current culture. One of the best ways to understand this narrative is through the words of those who have lived this experience. This year, we’ll be highlighting three books that reflect on Black history and inspire people to think from a new perspective.

The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give features Starr Carter, a sixteen-year-old black girl from Garden Heights who attends Williamson Prep, a predominately white school. Following a party, Starr is offered a ride home by her friend Khalil when they’re then pulled over by a white cop. After Khalil is ordered out of the vehicle for questioning the stop, he leaned back toward the car and was fatally shot by the police officer. This book presents a perspective that many high schoolers can relate to: being the minority at their school. Starr struggles with fitting into the social scene and feeling out of place. Police brutality is also a major theme, as Starr is called to testify in front of a grand jury. She attempts to gain justice for Khalil and questions the legality of the force used. Extreme forms of police misconduct is an example of systemic racism that has shaped the reality for Black Americans today, and more awareness can help hold police officers accountable.

The New Jim Crow

In The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, Michelle Alexander, civil rights activist and lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, discusses race-related issues within the United States criminal justice system. Alexander argues that the criminal justice system is a modern day racial caste-like system that has resulted in the mass incarceration of millions of African American men. From the “war on drugs” to racial profiling, The New Jim Crow draws attention to the inhumane treatment that can be difficult to observe by some people. This book highlights the ways that racism in society is not overtly offensive language, but instead unjust treatment within systems of power, and has been regarded as one of the most influential books in the 21st century to explore racial injustice.

Don’t Touch My Hair

Emma Dabiri’s book, Don’t Touch My Hair, is mainly about the topic of hair, but it also touches on beauty standards, cultural appropriation, African cultures and their tradition, and more. Dabiri discusses the realities of how coily and curly hair can make you stand out in a predominantly white society. The history of black hairstyles and their indigenous influence shows the historical significance of hair. From their own personal relationship with it, to facing legal battles to wear it naturally, the book shares the struggles that many Black people face with their hair. Many white people think of hair as just that and nothing more, but Don’t Touch My Hair helps people understand other cultures and open their eyes to a perspective that might not have been considered before.