As summer approaches, many incoming college students may be looking for ways to stay engaged and informed during their break. One excellent way to do so is by reading books that highlight important social justice issues. Here are 17 social justice books that are perfect for summer reading before starting college:
1. “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander – This book examines the racial disparities within the criminal justice system and the mass incarceration of African Americans.
2. “Stamped from the Beginning” by Ibram X. Kendi – This book provides a comprehensive history of racist ideas in America, and how they have shaped policies and institutions.
3. “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson – Stevenson, a renowned civil rights lawyer, shares his experiences defending those who have been wrongly convicted or unfairly sentenced.
4. “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond – This book explores the impact of eviction on low-income families and the struggles they face in finding stable housing.
5. “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein – Rothstein examines the history of housing segregation in America and its lasting effects on communities of color.
6. “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” by Beverly Daniel Tatum – Tatum explores the development of racial identity in young people and how it shapes their experiences.
7. “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin – Baldwin’s classic work explores race, religion, and society in America, and remains relevant today.
8. “Women, Race, & Class” by Angela Davis – Davis analyzes the intersections of gender, race, and class in the fight for social justice.
9. “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates – Coates writes a letter to his teenage son about the realities of being a black man in America and the struggle for equality.
10. “We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Adichie argues for gender equality and challenges traditional notions of feminism.
11. “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas – This young adult novel follows a black teenager who witnesses the police shooting of her friend and navigates the aftermath.
12. “Citizen: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine – Rankine’s poetry explores the experience of being a black individual in America and the everyday instances of racism they face.
13. “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson – This book tells the story of the Great Migration, when millions of African Americans moved from the South to northern cities in search of a better life.
14. “Sister Outsider” by Audre Lorde – Lorde’s essays explore intersectionality, identity, and the power of speaking out against injustice.
15. “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo – Oluo offers practical advice and insights on how to have honest conversations about race and racism.
16. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou – This memoir recounts Angelou’s experiences growing up as a black woman in the segregated South and overcoming adversity.
17. “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi – Kendi offers a guide on how to actively fight against racism and promote equality in our daily lives.
These 17 social justice books cover a wide range of topics and perspectives, making them essential reading for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of social issues before heading off to college. By engaging with these books, students can gain valuable insights that will help them navigate and contribute to the ongoing conversations around social justice and equality.