Black History Month Reading List

If we long for peace in our families, our churches, our cities and our world, this might be a great place to start…As Paul bluntly says in Romans 12:13, Practice hospitality.

Make room for God to create something new in your life. Clear out some space in your head and your heart for those whom you do not know all that well (yet).  We are making space for people to move from stranger to friend.

And that will require a deliberate form of listening. A different sort of listening that leads to a different kind of living.

In the gracious words of Ann Voskamp: “Listening not to defend and listening not to debate, but listening to deeply digest the experience and perspective and prayers of your brothers and sisters in Christ…”

Which brings me to the month of February. For over forty years in the United States, this month has become an annual celebration called Black History Month. Below is a short list of books to help anyone that wants to learn more about the history, culture, and achievements of various African Americans. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and in fact, I encourage you to do your own research and seek out diverse voices throughout the year, not just this month.

Consider this a chance to start learning and listening and helping one another anew.

A TESTAMENT OF HOPE

Martin Luther King Jr.

THIS IS YOUR TIME

Ruby Bridges

Freedom's Prophet

Richard S. Newman

JUST MERCY

Bryan Stevenson

Hidden Figures

Margot Lee Setterly

NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Frederick Douglass

ANOINTED TO SING THE GOSPEL

Kathryn Kemp

THIS JAZZ MAN

Karen Ehrhardt

THE REBELLIOUS LIFE OF MRS. ROSA PARKS

Jeanne Theoharis

BE THE BRIDGE

Latasha Morrison

CREATIVE GOD, COLORFUL US

Trillia Newbell

JACKIE ROBINSON

Michael G. Long, Chris Lamb

Gracism

David Anderson

BLACK HEROES

Arlisha Norwood

RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND THE JOURNAL OF MRS. JARENA LEE

Jarena Lee