Last week I shared about the book I was reading: How To Be Less Stupid About Race.
It was written by a Black woman, Crystal Fleming.
I was saying how important it is for White people to read books by and about Black people.
I was wondering how many White people went out and bought that book and started reading it.
Probably not many, if any.
Because a lot of White people don't read any books, let alone books written by Black people.
Books by Black people who directly challenge the comfortable world view of White people.
Books that make White people think and self-reflect and grow and explore and self-examine and evolve their consciousness and change their perspective.
White people are afraid to be affiliated with books written by Black people.
"Why should I read it? What's in it for me? What will my friends think? 'You're reading that book?' The stigma!"
Books written by Black people are a threat to the established order of books written by White people.
White people don't feel comfortable engaging in intellectual activity where they are not in control of the narrative. White people feel they have little to learn.
Books written by Black people are scary. Hundreds of blank white pages covered in black ink.
It's much safer to watch reruns of Leave It to Beaver.