NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • From a leading voice on racial justice, an eye-opening account of growing up Black, Christian, and female that exposes how white America’s love affair with “diversity” so often falls short of its ideals. “Austin Channing Brown introduces herself as a master memoirist. This book will break open hearts and minds.”—Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times … minds.”—Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed
Austin Channing Brown’s first encounter with a racialized America came at age seven, when she discovered her parents named her Austin to deceive future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Austin writes, “I had to learn what it means to love blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion.
In a time when nearly every institution (schools, churches, universities, businesses) claims to value diversity in its mission statement, Austin writes in breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our attempts at racial justice. Her stories bear witness to the complexity of America’s social fabric—from Black Cleveland neighborhoods to private schools in the middle-class suburbs, from prison walls to the boardrooms at majority-white organizations.
For readers who have engaged with America’s legacy on race through the writing of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Michael Eric Dyson, I’m Still Here is an illuminating look at how white, middle-class, Evangelicalism has participated in an era of rising racial hostility, inviting the reader to confront apathy, recognize God’s ongoing work in the world, and discover how blackness—if we let it—can save us all.
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A recent pick of Reese Witherspoon’s book club, “I’m Still Here” has much to say to white middle-class Evangelicals about the experience of growing up black and female in the church. Her words sometimes hurt, though with the intent to heal.
I was looking for resources to help me at work and came across this book. I was immediately drawn into it after reading the preview and decided I had to read it. So much in this book has resonated with events in my life. There were times I felt as if I was reading an entry from my own diary. The author is great about discussing the issues, but while also expressing how to self manage the external world you can’t control. Such an awesome book.
This book is part of the conversation we all need to be having right now. Austin writes with authenticity and grace, revealing hard truths in love.
Having many similar experiences as the author, this book resonated with me. Austin Channing Brown provides tools for allies and people of color interested in meaningful change in this country.
A look at being Black in the work place and how “diversity” often falls short.
Brilliant. This book is brilliant and beautiful and painful and something I think everyone should read. Especially while people like me. And then, after reading, we must take action, because it is time this world changes. And that change won’t come about unless we white people are willing to acknowledge our racist past and present, willing to be uncomfortable, and willing to start putting our time, effort, and money into demanding a change.
Austin Channing Brown walks us into her own life and firmly guides us to see what she does. I’M STILL HERE is a crucial read for white people needing to understand the structural racism that still exists in the United States, even in areas that might appear fairly open, fair and equally accessible to all. She pitches her tone well–not ever hostile, yet insistent that it’s time–long past time–that we have these honest conversations culturally and be prepared to make changes for a genuinely more equitable, compassionate society.
A sensitive, smart, sometimes even wryly humorous collection of memoir-essays about the author’s experiences over the years of interacting with white people, from the outright racists to the well-meaning but obtuse “nice” ones. Her first line: “White people can be exhausting.” She tackles assumptions, defenses, excuses, and fears, for both Blacks and whites. Well worth the read.
This memoir should be mandatory reading. It’s enthralling – I read it in one sitting – and Austin’s memoir tells the story of being a Black woman in America. It spotlights the impact of white supremacy from massive institutions to micro-aggressions, and truly emphasizes the antiracist actions that make real change, not just words that become empty promises. It’s important and vital and I really believe it should be on every single bookshelf.
I sat down to just read a few chapters and ended up reading the entire book on one sitting. I found it very eye opening and I think it is a book that everyone should read. It made me really, honestly think about ways that I have seen things that are not right. I especially loved the Christian aspects she brought out.
“Sadly, most white people are more worried about being called racist than about whether or not their actions are in fact racist or harmful”
“Suddenly racial justice and reconciliation wasn’t limited to Black and white church members; it became a living framework for understanding God’s work in the world”
An eye opener for most Americans (White). A lot of Black people already have this info as they have lived it. I loved the book.
If you’re at all familiar with Austin Channing Brown, you know she is a gifted communicator as both a writer and speaker. I had high hopes for her first book and I was hooked from the first page. By the time I finished reading, I was even more in awe of Austin. I’m Still Here is truly phenomenal. Each chapter builds upon the one before it in a way that is masterful. This mastery becomes especially clear in the final two chapters. Then I read the final paragraph and Austin brought it all home and my only thought was, “holy sh*t.” It was that powerful. I read it again and then again and let her words sink in. The whole book builds toward that moment and it is absolutely incredible getting there.