This is the list of 10 must-read books by black Canadian authors. If you are a true book lover, you should never let our post slide! Read now and comment your thought about these books so we can discuss and share opinions!
Frying Plantain – Books By Black Canadian Authors
Zalika Reid-Benta’s first book is about a girl named Kara Davis who embarks on the journey to find her identity. The set of the story is in Little Jamaica in Toronto.
Frying Plantain touches mainly on Kara Davis’s friendships with her classmates, and boyfriends, as well as her visits to Jamaica, and the tensions in relationships between mother and daughter.
Shut Up You’re Pretty
Short stories about the daily life of Loli are the debut fictional collection of Téa Mutonji. The book follows Loli from her childhood to the middle of the age of 20s in the Galloway neighborhood of Scarborough.
Mutonji’s stories focus on migration, friendship, femininity, and sex with a witty, gritty, and intimate tone of voice. “Shut Up You’re Pretty” got the $20,000 Trillium Book Award lately.
Policing Black Lives – Books By Black Canadian Authors
Robyn Maynard, an activist, and a scholar recalls the history of anti-Black discrimination in Canada via his book Policing Black Lives. The book’s content ranges from bondage and isolation to police violence nowadays.
Although the book contains sensitive things, such as government data and historical examples, Policing Black Lives is approachable to unpacking structural racism. It should be a required lesson in Canadian schools.
The Skin We’re In
Desmond Cole’s first released book describes 12 months in the fight for Black freedom. He writes about many controversial issues. Some of them are the protests of Black Lives Matter in Toronto, the death of Abdirahman Abdi in Ottawa caused by police, etc.
According to Neil Price, a NOW contributor, Cole has sincerely and openly dedicated himself to the challenging project. This project is where white supremacy displays itself in Black people’s lives.
They Said This Would Be Fun – Books By Black Canadian Authors
Eternity Martis, the author of the book, recalls her old days as a Black student at Western University. She had to protect herself against racism.
Spread throughout the book are the basic survival tips for students to avoid school trouble. Martis talks about wry but helpful advice for day-to-day encounters, such as how to tackle white classmates asking if they’re allowed to sing the N-word in the songs of Kendrick Lamar.
Until We Are Free: Reflections Of Black Lives Matter In Canada
This collection digs into many recent issues. For example, the Black Canadian organizing actions and activism. It was the founders of BLM-Toronto who edit the book.
The book consists of discussions and essays of famous activists, writers, artists, and academics all around Canada. For example, Sarah Jama, Robyn Maynard, and Camille Turner.
Washington Black – Books By Black Canadian Authors
The book tells the story of an 11-year-old boy, George Washington “Wash” Black. He is a slave working in a Barbados sugar field. He then becomes a manservant to an abnormal inventor as well as an abolitionist.
This book of Esi Edugyan then won the Giller Prize.
Shame On Me: An Anatomy Of Race And Belonging
This is a real story based on Tessa McWatt’s experiences. She tells about her own issues such as her complicated family history and multi-racial originality in the book.
As the one who has been named “Pocahontas”, “Susie Wong,” and even “black bitch,” McWatt shows what is the meaning of discovering a sense of belonging in the times of post-racial.
Angry Queer Somali Boy – Books By Black Canadian Authors
Mohamed Abdulkarim Ali recalls his beautiful memories while he was homeless in parks, libraries, and shelters in Toronto.
The book follows Ali’s journey all around the world. From his home in Somalia to United Arab Emirates, London, the Netherlands, and Canada. He writes openly about finding his sexuality, dealing with addiction, and his shifting in connection with Islam.
I’ve Been Meaning To Tell You
Chariandy shows his thought on the politics of ethnicity in the shape of a letter to his daughter in his newest work.
Chariandy describes his roots, which contain slavery, immigration, and indenture. He also offers suggestions for developing a sense of individuality.
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