Black authors and stories must be in the literary canon

A starter guide to engaging with anti-racist works

Image by: Ali Safadi
The best Black written books to add to your bookshelf.

Though I love walking through a brand name bookstore as much as the next reader, supporting authors means going beyond big-name book retailers and finding the niche spaces that put money right into the author’s pocket.

This is especially important for Black authors, as their stories and contributions to literature are often overshadowed by Western society’s love for white men in literature.

Diversifying the literary canon is one small part of anti-racist work that everyone can contribute to. In a world where Amazon exists, it’s important to make sure effort goes beyond simply purchasing a book by a Black author. Where you buy is just as important as what you buy.

Here are a few great examples of Black stories to add to your bookshelf, and where to purchase to support Black authors and bookstore owners.

Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard

Maynard is a Black Canadian author whose book Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present dives into anti-Blackness in Canada and the forms of entrenched racism seen in Canadian society today.

The impact of surveillance and racial profiling is critiqued from an intersectional feminist lens. Not only does this book touch on the racism Canadian society is founded on, it also emphasizes the oppressive experiences Black people face as members of society.

Maynard’s work aims to educate others on the importance of dismantling systems built on violence, discrimination, and racial bias. Policing Black Lives challenges the false belief that anti-Black racism is an American issue and not present in Canada.

Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

If there’s one book every woman and self-proclaimed feminist should read, it’s Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot.

This collection of essays highlights all the other social issues feminists seem to forget about when fighting for social justice. To truly be a feminist means fighting against all acts of social injustice, because these forms of marginalization always impact women. Kendall forms a beautiful critique of white feminism and uses personal experiences to break down why feminism isn’t just a women’s issue, but also extends to race, class, and other intersections of identity.

Kendall illuminates the reality of race-based gender discrimination and how women with intersecting marginalized identities are often ignored in the fight for women’s rights. Hood Feminism is the perfect book to start the unlearning process around white feminism. 

Nice Racism: How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm by Robin DiAngelo 

If you’re already familiar with DiAngelo’s previous literary work, you know their approach to antiracist action and thought is carefully crafted for readers.

Nice Racism builds on the importance of being proactive and accountable as a white person working towards allyship. There are still various ways white people bring harm to racialized communities, even when those same people may have already taken part in some elements of the unlearning process.

For those outside the Black community, it’s essential that unlearning and rebuilding a foundation of understanding and accountability leads to action.

This is an amazing read for people who are truly proactive about understanding their role in racist society and being part of a social shift.

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus

A beautiful queer romance and coming of age story, this book revels in the meaning of caring for someone out of the goodness of your heart and the struggles of high school.

Not only do these characters find solace in each other, but the light Petrus sheds on the immigrant experience is reflective of any student in a new space looking for acceptance. The intersectional themes of gender, sexuality, and race bring a realistic depth to Petrus’s work.

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

If you’re not into non-fiction or social commentary books like those listed above, then James’ work is a must-read fictional piece to satisfy your reading needs.

This beautifully written fantasy trilogy combines supernatural abilities andvarious elements of African myths and history into a violent yet thrilling world of possibilities. Not only does this story recognize African heritage and culture, it incorporates elements of queer identity to further open the literary world to canonize non-Western ideals of the human experience.

The first book in the Dark Star Trilogy, James’ world of mystique and horror is a must-read for any avid reader.

Black-Owned and Operated Book Stores 

Reading literature by Black authors is one part of supporting Black artists. There are many bookstores and online platforms that are Black-owned and operated, allowing you to not only find stories by Black writers, but also support Black-owned businesses in nearby communities. A Different Bookstore is a Toronto bookstore that features multicultural literary work from the African Caribbean Diaspora and Global South.

In Brampton, Knowledge Bookstore provides books, gifts, and other items that are not often found in your average big-name bookstore. Sankofa Books is an Afrocentric bookstore in Ottawa and embodies the essence of the independent bookstore.

Black-owned bookstores are a rarity, just like Black stories are in the literary canon. Taking the time to support these independent bookstores shows where these stories come from is just as important to literary art as the stories themselves.

Tags

BHM2024, books, Canon, Literature

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