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DeRay Mckesson

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DeRay Mckesson is an American civil rights activist, podcaster, and former school administrator. An early supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, he has been active in the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, Maryland and on social media outlets such as Twitter and Instagram.
8 books on the list
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Black Women, Black Love book cover
Black Women, Black Love
America's War on African American Marriage
Dianne M Stewart - 2020-10-06
Goodreads Rating
Explore the intricate history of Black love in America with this eye-opening analysis. With over 70% of Black women in America unmarried, this book examines the laws, policies, and customs that have contributed to this crisis over four centuries. From the colonial era to the present day, including the impact of the prison-industrial complex, this book sheds light on how white supremacy has systematically damaged Black love and marriage. Prodigious research combined with heartfelt insights make this book an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complex history of racism in America.
DeRay Mckesson
2021-07-30T19:46:35.000Z
You should buy @diannemstewart's book Black Women, Black Love: And you should just engage her work. Every single time I listen to her or read her work, my mind is blown.      source
I'll Give You the Sun book cover
I'll Give You the Sun
Jandy Nelson - 2014-09-16
Goodreads Rating
Twins Noah and Jude were once inseparable, but something has divided them in devastating ways. As they each tell their story - Noah's from the early years and Jude's from the later years - they discover that they only have half the story. If they want to remake their world, they must find a way back to each other. This award-winning novel will leave you breathless, teary, and laughing all at once.
DeRay Mckesson
2016-12-24T15:04:48.000Z
It's such an incredible book!      source
Recommended by
Gayle Forman
Kindred book cover
Kindred
Octavia E. Butler - 2004-02-01 (first published in 1979)
Goodreads Rating
Travel through time and experience the heartbreaking journey of Dana, a black woman who finds herself transported from 1976 to 1815 and assumed to be a slave. When Dana saves the life of plantation owner Rufus, she is inexplicably drawn to him and forced to keep saving him as their bond grows stronger with each time travel. This ground-breaking exploration of power and responsibility by Octavia E. Butler is a must-read for fans of The Handmaid's Tale, The Power and Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing.
DeRay Mckesson
2016-11-19T20:06:53.000Z
Kindred is an incredible book. So is Parable of the Sower.      source
Parable of the Sower book cover
Parable of the Sower
A Novel
Octavia E. Butler - 2000-01-01 (first published in 1993)
Goodreads Rating
Enter a world decimated by chaos and violence in this gripping novel. Lauren Olamina is one of the few survivors in a crumbling Los Angeles, struggling to maintain hope with her family behind the safe walls of their compound. But when tragedy strikes, Lauren sets out on a dangerous journey to salvation, facing a world ravaged by drugs, disease, war and water shortages. With hyperempathy, a rare condition that makes her incredibly sensitive to the pain of others, Lauren must navigate through a hostile landscape to reach safety, and perhaps even bring about a new and better future for mankind.
DeRay Mckesson
2016-11-19T20:06:53.000Z
Kindred is an incredible book. So is Parable of the Sower.      source
The People Could Fly book cover
The People Could Fly
American Black Folktales
Virginia Hamilton - 2000-10-10 (first published in 1985)
Goodreads Rating
A captivating collection of 24 black American folk tales retold by an acclaimed author. The stories cover a range of themes including animal tales, supernatural tales, fanciful and cautionary tales, and slave tales of freedom. The text is beautifully complemented by 40 expressive paintings by the Dillons. This book has been included as a Common Core State Standards text Exemplar for Grades 6-8.
DeRay Mckesson
2015-11-05T00:00:35.000Z
Do y'all remember The People Could Fly? That was my all-time favorite book when I was younger.      source
Between the World and Me book cover
Between the World and Me
Ta-Nehisi Coates - 2015-07-14
Goodreads Rating
This thought-provoking work delves into American history and presents a powerful new framework for understanding the nation's current crisis. Through personal narratives and reimagined history, the author addresses the falsehood of "race" and its damaging effects on black men and women. Written as a letter to his son, this emotionally charged book sheds light on the past, confronts the present, and offers a hopeful vision for the future.
DeRay Mckesson
2015-07-14T21:41:14.000Z
I've read @tanehisicoates' newest book & it's a must-read. I can't wait for us all to discuss it. Order yours.      source
Tiger Lily book cover
Tiger Lily
Jodi Lynn Anderson - 2012-07-03
Goodreads Rating
A captivating tale of first love, forbidden romance, and difficult choices. Tiger Lily, a rebellious 15-year-old girl, falls under the spell of the daring and impetuous teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland. As leader of the Lost Boys, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily, but she risks everything to be with him, including her family and her future. With enemies threatening to tear them apart, including the arrival of Wendy Darling, Tiger Lily must choose between the life she's always known and an uncertain future with Peter.
DeRay Mckesson
2015-05-13T22:06:49.000Z
I always recommend Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson to people. I loved this book and revisit it often.      source
Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems book cover
Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems
Eloise Greenfield - 1986-05-23 (first published in 1978)
Goodreads Rating
"Love and Joy Through the Eyes of a Child - An Award-Winning Collection of 16 Poems. From playing with friends to waiting for Daddy's return, this children's book captures the wonder and beauty of everyday life. Each poem is narrated by a child, offering a unique perspective on the world. Accompanied by vivid drawings, this Reading Rainbow Selection is a must-read for children and adults alike."
DeRay Mckesson
2015-02-12T12:08:07.000Z
@BDBandeaux @thesoulasylum such a great book      source