I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness

"We’ve seen this before: persistent white refusal to acknowledge structural racism, the softening of America’s racist history, the lone black person as reluctant racism confessor for white colleagues. Yet Brown explores racial ignorance within the white church, noting how Christian values of hope, forgiveness and unconditional love do not seem to apply to black people, but instead give “nice white people” a pass on their racism. Brown poignantly describes the death of her cousin in jail, “I had to reject the notion that my cousin's life was somehow less valuable because he did not meet “Christian criteria” of innocence and perfection” (p 150). In contrast, the “Black Jesus” of her home church “understood the accused, the incarcerated, the criminals” (p 152), and expressed righteous anger towards the corrupt.<br/><br/>Brown passionately rejects facile reliance on “hope”, stating that “in order for me to stay in this work, hope must die...The death of hope gives way to a sadness that heals, to anger that inspires, to a wisdom that empowers me” (p 184). An eloquent argument for meaningful reconciliation focused on racial injustice rather than white feelings<br/>"

"Who do you picture when you hear the name Austin? A white male? That was Austin's parents' intention. Austin Channing Brown is a black woman whose parents named her a traditionally white male name so that she would have a leg up in a society that still holds black people back. Brown tells stories from her childhood up to the present day of experiencing countless microagressions and unconcealed racism as a black woman in America: visiting a plantation and being offered the chance to pick cotton, being mistaken for other black women in her place of employment, being called the n-word, seeing the glances and disappointing looks when people realize "Austin" is not a white male, and the list goes on.<br/>This is a must-read for anyone wanting a look into the daily experiences of black women in America. Brown's are, unfortunately, not unique. And yes, white people will feel uncomfortable while reading this. That's a good thing. It means we have room to grow and change, and that perhaps some of the behaviors we thought of as characteristics of a "good" white person aren't so "good" after all but actually have harmful implications. "I'm Still Here" is a touching, thought provoking, and honest memoir and I highly recommend it."

"I feel speechless. This book was amazing. She tackles so much in such a concise and impactful way. I've had a hard time grappling with racism in America, and Austin Channing Brown offered new perspectives that helped my grasp the experience that is being African American in today's America. Her emotions were powerful and brought me to tears. This is one I'll be recommending to everyone."