BOOKS THAT HAVE HELPED ME

Lots of great reading lists circulating right now – these are some of the books that have helped me:

Between the World and Me

We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy

“Between the World and Me” and “We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy” both by Ta-Nehisi Coates, both important and brilliant.

“The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander

“Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II,” by Douglas Blackmon

“How To Be An Antiracist,” by Ibram X. Kendi

“White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism” by Robin Diangelo

“The Warmth of Other Suns,” by Isabel Wilkerson

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33 Comments
  1. Thank you for the book recommendations Jane.
    Stacey

  2. Hi Jane!

    Thank you for these! I’ll add one more short, but powerful book for anyone interested: “The Fire Next Time,” by James Baldwin.

    I spent this past weekend at the protests in Washington, D.C. I’m humbled to have been able to add my body to the movement in some small way and share what I saw for those who can’t do the same.

    Because the whole city is essentially shut down (and many businesses recently boarded up), the streets seem to be wholly devoted to protests—with no sign of slowing down. The anger is there, yes (and more than justified), but the overwhelming mood is one of solidarity. On every corner people were passing out free water, snacks, first aid, hand sanitizer, masks, etc. I was moved to tears more than once, but especially while listening to powerful speeches from Black activists standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

    Several women I met during the D.C. Fire Drill Fridays joined me in the streets, so I also feel the need to thank you once again for connecting us all (and for helping me find my voice)—every little bit helps.

    xoxo,
    Alexandra

    • I figured you’d be there, Alexandra. Stay safe. Wer your mask. We need you! xx

  3. Thank you so much for sharing. Xx

  4. Hi Jane!
    With the corona virus cases increasing in your state, as well as, mine (South Carolina) I pray you and your household are very vigilant about following all precautions concerning this dangerous virus! I continue to pray for you each and every day, but we all must do our part in keeping safe. Thank you for all that you do in keeping us informed in all aspects of life affecting each and everyone of us. May God Bless You!!

  5. My expectation as a 32 year old that read your “My Life So Far” memoir a few months ago was to learn more about you. I didn’t expect that I would learn more about MYSELF by reading it.

    It caused me to look at my life, my passions, my goals, and prioritize the things that, at one point, fueled a fire I had to cause change.

    For months I’ve taken daily action to learn about and DO things that MATTER. I quit a soul sucking job in October to connect to my true purpose and after months of rest (really fatigue forced me to rest) and educating myself on the life experience of myself and others (books, documentaries, films, journaling, meditating)— I know I was prepared for THIS time. A time in history that we have to decide if a year of our life isn’t worth the effort or if it in fact is forcing us to grow and awaken from an ignorant sleep. It’s not comfy, but it’s vital.

    I’ve grown in my capacity to care for things that matter, and just as I take action daily to tune in and grow spiritually, care for the planet, teach and encourage healing, I now make daily choices to fight against racism.

    White Fragility was eye opening as was the film “Just Mercy.” I have many of these books in my que, and they continue to provide insight, facts, and resources as I uproot the racism out of myself and help fellow whites around me to awaken as well. Thank you for adding a few more to read!

    You are a gem and such an example of continuing to let life teach us where we are. Thank you. From my heart to yours Jane!

    Xo Sasha Mauricette

  6. Jane, I loved the rally last Friday, thanks for what you and your team do. You make us see reality and what we must do.🙌🏼🙌🏼

  7. Hi Jane,

    I have to watch your replays for Fire side chats because i can’t always make the 2pm zoom meeting.

    I watched your meeting last week and there were some questions that you proposed as far as solution steps to fight injustice.

    I need to contact you because i wanted to share something private with you in regards to the state & federal elections that is coming up.

    Do to my last response.. and i don’t want to share personal info on here from spies or trolling.

    I need to talk to you about some solution steps moving forward and need your help with a private matter. Let me know the best way to reach you. If you have an assistant.. number or email to reach you.

    Thanks,

    Hasani Gooding

    • send your letter to me at PO Box 10927
      Beverly Hills CA 90209
      United States xxJane

  8. Jane, please consider putting this rock-star California congresswoman in your sequel to “Nine to Five”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QKOLydDfNg

    • Jane,

      I keep forgetting my password. Smh lol Anyway Thankyou for the response.

      Mitch McConnell Senate challengers.. Check out Charles Booker.. Amy McGrath is cool. One other guy is good but Charles Booker grew up in Kentucky and he understands the community. Excuse the politics. Mitch McConnell is a grave threat in the Senate. He been there since 1989. Thank you for the info.. i will write you. Def have you 🔒 in.. Keep up the great work. Ditch Mitch!! if you see this and your a Kentuckian!! Change happens now in “Age Of Aquarius ♒

  9. Hi Jane!
    I hope you are having a wonderful and productive day. I too have osteoarthritis. I have had surgery on both wrists, thumbs, back and shoulder. I am now having issues with my hips and spine. I saw your ad endorsement for Uncle Bud’s. Which product would you recommend I use for helping with arthritis pain? Thank you so much for your time. Keep up the good work, but please take care of yourself and not over do it!! Still praying for you everyday!!

    • Elaine, I like the extra strength body revive roll on

      • Thank you so much! I will order it and try it! The only thing I have found that helps me with the pain, is using a heating pad. Again, Jane, thank you so much. Hope you are using the weekend to rest. Stay safe!
        Elaine

      • Duplicate message but you get the picture. I will def stay in touch.. Green Peace, gratefu. Thank them for their hard work. This is a time of communication and building alliances to better the future.-

        Thanks again for your help Jane..

        Love and Bless!

        G. Hasani Gooding

      • Hi Jane,
        Do you know green clay ? it’s a very effective for joint pain and everything.
        I use it a lot it’s very good for health

        I give you the link of the book which explains how to use it, it is very good
        https://livre.fnac.com/a150210/Raymond-Dextreit-Argile-qui-guerit-anglais-Healing-power-of-clay

        I hope you find it !… and I saw that Elein Rawls is suffering from joint pain if it can help him too.
        Take care of yourself. xxxx

        • Thank you Florence! I will check the book out. Take care!

          • I hope you find the book, it’s really very good green clay

            I use it often and it is very effective.
            Take care of yourself too Elaine ! xx

  10. 💗Always important to be educated on these issues.

    • Always! Every County and State needs a grassroots course on the issues. God Bless 🙏🏽

  11. Jane, congratulations today is your name day Saint John the Baptist in Mexico as in Spain sometimes we celebrate the ñame day more than birthdays, my favorite aunt is now 94 years old and she is Jane like you.

  12. Wow Jane, how proud to see you all over the world in giant size, thank you for everything you do to leave a better world to our grandchildren.💕💕

  13. Great list! I also recommend, “From Here to Equality: Reparations for Black Americans in the Twenty-First Century,” by William Darity, Jr. and A. Kirsten Mullen. It’s the most authoritative book on the issue of reparations.

  14. For something more fictional I would recommend The Sellout, not only does it send the reader the extreme importance of racial justice, but, is also very clever and witty. ☺️

  15. Great recommendations, Jane. I also think it is very important to educate the kids, as they are the ones who will make this world a better place and make sure that things like slavery do not happen again. What would be your recommendation to their parents? In terms of books, films or other experiences that could be shared and play a role in the process of making our children better and wiser than we are?

    • Karine, books for parents to help with kids:
      my book on teens which you can order on this website, “Reviving Ophelia,” “Raising Cain” by Dan Kindlon…you can google progressive books on raising sons and daughters

      • Jane, thanks for recommendation! I have already found your book on Teens and ordered it from Amazon – on its way to me now. Will google the others. Thanks a lot!

    • A really good book for teens is Stamped by Jason Reynolds. It’s the history of racism but written in an accessible way for teen readers. I got a lot out of it myself too. It’s a rewrite of Ibram X Kendhi’s book by the same title.

  16. Dear Jane,

    It was a mere couple of hours after being followed by (and forced to befriend) a butterfly during my walk in the woods when I started reading your book, ‘My Life So Far’.

    Landing on my hand, my shoulder, and dancing in the air around me the whole way — this peculiar little butterfly would not leave me. I thought it was wild enough that it would willingly land on me once, but as the little soul made it clear that it wanted to stay with me while I walked the trail, it gave the moment a the peculiar energy that I couldn’t ignore.
    So, immediately following my walk, I went to visit my grandmother. Growing up, my grandmother had it in her head that I loved butterflies, I’m not sure where she got that idea from, but I went along with it for years. Funny I should choose to visit, it was when I walked in her house she gave me a purple bookmark with a butterfly on it, along with your book; she bought the book as a surprise after I told her about Fire Drill Fridays and she saw how fired-up I was, however, I’m almost certain she had no idea what’s inside…

    I got goosebumps all over my body when I got home and opened the book to chapter one and saw it’s called ‘Butterfly’.
    As I began reading, the parallels continued to astound me, even down to being the one to shove the worm onto the hook while fishing with your dad (as he was silent but you knew his cogs were turning whilst being an elastic band tightly drawn at either end — yep). The relationship dynamic with your mother vs. with your father, the Canadian connection, etc.
    Long story short, I felt at my core a lot of feelings you realised you had growing up. I sensed an odd sideways connection to the story, it was familiar, even beyond the butterflies. But I did enjoy the way you referred back to butterflies and speckled them in metaphorically as the story went on.

    I was bursting at the seems wanting to tell you that, and the next time I take that route, I will definitely think of you.
    PS. I think you would love that walk and the beauty of Newfoundland’s rich nature – forests, ocean, ponds, lakes, animals, you name it!

    With much love,
    Megan xx

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