We had book club last night and I have to say it went very well. We didn't start until about 8:30, but we had an entire hour of book discussion (it is sad that I am this pleased). Amy, the one that selected the book, came all prepared. She had pulled her old notes from her BYU days and was able to enlighten everyone on the Harlem Renissance. She also had a great biography for the author which was very insightful.
The book is basically about a group of people that vacation every year on Martha's vineyard and are getting together before the end of the summer for a wedding. The book deals heavily with race and the stereotypes behind races, culture, and really marriage. I could go much more indepth here, but I think it is a book many of you would enjoy and don't want to give too much away. It is very thought provoking.
I do have to say- that I got home and had a lengthy discussion with my girlfriend (which continued in a long email as well) about race/racism, class, economics, etc. and how you approach it. I am interested to talk to my other girlfriend that is getting her PhD in Sociology w/her area of interest in Race Relations (Liv did I get that right). She is always very insightful and I would love to pick her brain. It is such a sensitive topic and for me I have become more aware of the issues that plague this country when it comes to race/class/economics. I realize it has been around for a long time, but only since I moved to NOLA did I really start to recognize and have it impact my daily life. I have learned a lot from my girlfriend and appreciate her openness and willingness to deal with my dumb questions and whatnot.
I am very pleased that I left the discussion and felt like I really gained something from book club. So our next book is The Scarlet Letter.
9 comments:
I'm commenting Lara not only because your blog was thought provoking but because your zero comments looked so lonely! I too was truly educated about race issues while living in New Orleans. I will never forget the opportunity I had during my graduate work to walk through the housing projects of NOLA and talk and work with its residents. Those are experiences I will never forget.
Well crap! Delete one of those double entries Lara, I don't know what I just did!
Thanks for the welcome to the blogging world. That was so nice of you!
I loved this book, loved your comments and LOVE Pride and Prejudice. My husband bought it for me, I watched it and then immediatly watched it again. I don't remember enjoying the book as much as the movie so I think I better give it another try.
I haven't read this book, but will definitely check it out.
I think living in Utah is a tad detrimental with it comes to race issues. We're sheltered beyond belief here and don't realize it until we go outside the state. My parents lived in Louisiana and then Maryland and both places were scary to me after living in Utah for so long. I felt foolish about it, but I felt like I was in a different world and that I didn't belong.
Thanks Amy- I kept thinking it was weird no one had commented. When are you going to update your blog?
Jill- I totally agree. I was "shell shocked" for a bit after moving to NOLA, but it taught me that I really wasn't as open/understanding to other cultures as I thought I was. I think this is part of the reason I love NOLA so much (aside from the obvious) because I really grew during my time there.
Elisa- good to hear from you.
That does sound like a book I would like to read. The lack of diversity in Utah is one of the reasons I feared moving back here to raise my family. I hope we can travel and broaden their horizons enough so that they understand something about people who are different from them. One of my biggest fears is that my children will grow up to be small-minded and intolerant of others' differences.
That does sound like a book I would like to read. The lack of diversity in Utah is one of the reasons I feared moving back here to raise my family. I hope we can travel and broaden their horizons enough so that they understand something about people who are different from them. One of my biggest fears is that my children will grow up to be small-minded and intolerant of others' differences.
Lara,
I'm with Amy about being so shaped by the experience of living in NOLA. I had never, ever given thought to my whiteness and what it meant, afforded me, etc. I go to the store and buy "flesh colored" band aids and they are the color of MY flesh, there are rows of baby dollies whose skin mimics the color of my daughters, but perhaps one that is darker (or none if you are in PA). Just examples, but I had never, ever considered how those things reinforced my feeling of belonging in society, or how it must feel to not see my face represented in so many day-to-day situations. I can't wait to read that book! Have you read The Color of Water? It is FABULOUS!
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