The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth

Through an illustrated collection of letters, poems, short stories, and essays, thirty diverse authors and illustrators address young people in discussions on racism, identity, and self-esteem in The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth, edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson.

Let me

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point out first that the diverse people speaking through this book aren't only Black people. In this collection are the voices of a variety of people of color as well as white, Jewish authors.

While I found the book labeled as a young adult book, I'd say it's more of a family book—something suitable for young people around the ages of 10 to 16 to read and/or discuss with trusted adults in their lives. It isn't a book full of reflections and advice simply for swallowing, but it's made to help people engage in critical thinking...

...to realize that racism isn't only a matter of feeling hatred for folks and that it isn't only the problem of people of color. To realize the connections between racism and greed. To realize racism is also the problem of people who benefit from it, even if they've done so unwittingly.

To realize there are ways forward.

And for young people of color in particular, there's encouragement here about choosing their battles. About finding productive ways to deal with their pain and anger. About knowing who they are despite how other ill-meaning or well-meaning people may wrongly identify them.

It's a book for people willing to heed the call not to be indifferent or merely regretful about racism but to be anti-racist and advocates for needful change.

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