“I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness’ by Austin Channing Brown

“Our only chance at dismantling racial injustice is being more curious about its origins than we are worried about our comfort. It’s not a comfortable conversation for any of us. It is risky and messy. It is haunting work to recall the sins of our past. But is this not the work we have been called to anyway? Is this not the work of the Holy Spirit to illuminate truth and inspire transformation? It’s haunting. But it’s also holy.”

Austin Channing Brown pulls no punches as she writes her own story about navigating America’s racial divide, growing up Black, Christian, and female. American’s love affair with diversity so often falls shorts of its ideals. Her journey to self-worth as a black American woman is breathtakingly honest and unsentimental–she says she writes from scars, not from open wounds. I loved this short but impactful memoir and would highly recommend it. The audio version is especially engaging since the author reads it herself and she tells her stories so well.

Brown calls for more than reconciliation as the answer to racial injustice. Good will, harmony, and contentedly hanging out together is not enough. Transformation requires confronting apathy and choosing justice–having the courage to be anti-racist and interrupting systemic racism in our world today. Austin Channing Brown is a gifted communicator, writer, media producer, and speaker who helps organisations practise genuine inclusion.

Note: Brené Brown’s outstanding podcast Unlocking Us, features an episode in conversation with this author, which is worth a listen. Brené Brown often talks about how books that affect her deeply by bringing her out of her comfort zone  and making her examine her own life, have her throwing the book across the room.  Apparently this book sailed through the air quite a few times! 🙂