The World Is Waiting for You to Read

I challenge each person reading this post to read at least ten books this summer. For some, that's a piece of cake. For others, a huge commitment.

But not just any books. Read books that intentionally expand your understanding of people "not like you."

If you're White, read five books written by and about Black people.

If you're straight, read five books written by and about gay, lesbian, or bi people.

If your cisgender, read five books written by and about trans or gender nonconforming people.

Read nonfiction, fiction, history, memoir, poetry. Read whatever you want. Just challenge yourself to read beyond what you typically read.

I believe that if more people read books, the world would be a more inclusive place. And if more people read books that stretched their comfortable world view, imagine that world.

To be clear, reading books alone doesn't end racism. Doesn't stop injustice. Doesn't create equity. To think otherwise is shortsighted, naive, and dangerous.

But the ideas and frameworks and stories and philosophies and experiences that books expose us to can and do fundamentally shift our thinking, shape our personal narrative, and inspire us to take action.

So, get to it. The world is waiting for you to read so you can drive impact and affect change.