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February 5, 2021
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 | Black History Month February marks the start of Black History Month, a federally recognized celebration of the contributions African Americans have made to this country and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice. When Carter G. Woodson established Negro History week in 1926, he realized the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public. The intention has never been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public's attention important developments that merit emphasis. This year's theme is "The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity." Our national conversation about anti-Black racism made 2020 a pivotal year-painful for many, cathartic for others, memorable for all. Now a new year brings new opportunities to listen to Black voices and stories. Courtesy of BookPage pick up one of these titles to deepen your knowledge of our country's past, and join the chorus of voices advocating for a better future. Check them out here |
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 | Books on the Air An overview of talked-about books and authors. This weekly update, published every Friday, provides descriptions of recent TV and radio appearances by authors and their recently released books. See the hot titles from the media this week. |
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 | Ibram X. Kendi IBRAM X. KENDI is one of America's foremost historians and leading antiracist scholars. Kendi strives to be a hardcore antiracist and softcore vegan. He enjoys joking it up with friends and family, partaking in African American culture, weight-lifting, reading provocative books, discussing the issues of the day with open-minded people, and hoping and pressing for the day the New York Knicks will win an NBA championship and for the day this nation and world will be ruled by the best of humanity. In 2013, he changed his middle name from Henry to Xolani (meaning "Peace" in Zulu) and surname from Rogers to Kendi when he wed Dr. Sadiqa Kendi, a pediatric emergency physician from Albany, Georgia. They chose their new name together and unveiled "Kendi," meaning "loved one" in Meru, to their family and friends at their wedding. Kendi has been visiting professor at Brown University, a 2013 National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellow, and postdoctoral fellow at the Rutgers Center for Historical Analysis. Kendi was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2019. Check out his books here. |
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 | Library Reads-February Library Reads-The top ten books published this month that library staff across the country love, with additional hall of fame authors. Check them out here |
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| Being an anitracist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination-Ibram X. Kendi
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