Voices of the Border, Testimonios of Migration, Deportation, and Asylum, edited by Tobin Hansen and María Engracia Robles Robles, ME
Migrants, refugees, and deportees live through harrowing situations, yet their personal stories are often ignored. While politicians and commentators mischaracterize and demonize, herald border crises, and speculate about who people are and how they live, the actual memories of migrants are rarely shared. In the tradition of oral storytelling, this book provides an understanding of their experiences, as well as the consequences of public policy.
Royalties from the sale of the book go to the Kino Border Initiative, a Jesuit organization that provides humanitarian assistance and advocates for migrants.
So You Want to Talk About Race – Join a VIA discussion based on “So You Want to Talk About Race”by Ijeoma Oluo. It will be led by Rev. Marjorie MacNeill and Rev. Leigh McCaffrey. Details can be found on the VIA website, viavt.org/
Black is the Body: Stories from My Grandmother’s Time, My Mother’s Time, and Mine by Emily Bernard (Carol J.)
The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee (Valerie)
Waking Up White: Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving (John O. selected this as the winter discussion book because it is a good book to read after we studied the history and cultural issues in Caste. The book points out how we are part of the problem.”)
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Ann O. highly recommends)
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson (John O. selected this as the fall discussion book.)
Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, and the White Nationalist Agenda by Jean Guerroro (Ron, Joy, and Ann O. recommend)
Dear White America by Tim Wise (Valerie recommends)
The Hate U Give – VIA hosted several discussions between October 11th and November 29th.
White Fragility by Robin DeAngelo (Sue recommends. Sue invites others to read both books and join her for an online discussion.)
White Kids: Growing Up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America by Margaret Hagerman (Valerie noted this book that addresses how little is taught to white kids beyond the basics of the MLK and Rosa Parks stories.)
America’s Original Sin by Jim Wallis (Frank recommends)
How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi (Mary Beth recommends reading this in conjunction with Me and White Supremacy because Me and White Supremacy deals with interior work for those of us who identify as white and How to be an Anti-Racist deals with dismantling systemic racism outwardly.)
My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem (Frank recommends)
Who Gets to Be Afraid in America? by Ibram X. Kendi
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson (recommended by Virginia and Marjorie)
Christ Church, Presbyterian 