03 - Bookish w/ Jess Valera

July 9, 2020

In and around mid-March, when what felt as if the entire world had collectively decided to "cancel" 2020, the year seemingly felt as one we'd want to wipe from our memory banks for good.

However, the May 25th murder of George Floyd, changed all of that and undoubtedly all of us forever. Floyd's story reminded us of the long, ugly history that continues to exist between our black community + law enforcement, and how complacent we've all been in doing nothing to alter it.

Since then, I, myself vowed to make this year one of awakening, one of education + most importantly one of no longer staying quiet and/or complacent with the "status quo". Primarily when the "status quo" continues to be racist, harmful & unjust. As a white passing, Cuban-American woman, I must do more, educate myself more, in order to be the a true ally to the black community.

"In a racist society it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be anti racist" - Angela Y. Davis.

Now is the time to READ, watch, listen, learn, support, speak up, converse and make the necessary changes to ensure we do our part to make things right for the generations that follow. This month, Bookish, is dedicated to educating myself by way of the list below of books that have been lovingly shared with me. I urge you to do the same.