I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness is one Black, Christian woman's account of life in America, particularly focused on growing up and then her work life within Christian organisations. I found it an illuminating read, especially since I've not read any non-fiction from a Christian POV.
.
Growing up, Brown learned that her parents had named her 'Austin' to try and give her a head-start, as prospective employers would think she was a white man. While she was growing up, Brown had to come to love her own self, as she constantly felt reminded that she was too Black for white people and too white for Black people. But, as she reminds us, Blackness is not a monolith, and Brown soon learned to love herself for who she is.
.
There are some great passages in this book around white guilt and the burden that puts on Black people when white people seek absolution for their past racist behaviour. Brown has found herself too often on the receiving end of racist confessions, but she refuses to shoulder that burden. She turns it back around to the confessor: what are YOU going to do in the future to correct this behaviour and learn from it? Brown also dissects diversity mission statements, in relation to Christian organisations, but it applies to any and all businesses/organisations. Companies keep trying to add Black people to their staff 'like sprinkles on top a cake that is still vanilla', meaning no real change can occur as their initiative never goes beyond a 'dialogue'.
.
But the most powerful part is the ending, when Brown admits that she's lost hope during her work countless times. But every time she loses hope, she continues to fight for change. Even knowing that those changes might not come to full fruition within her lifetime, or even her children's lifetime. She carries on resisting even when there's every possibility she won't reap the benefits personally.
.
I highly recommend the audiobook as well, which Brown narrates herself!