Need Book Suggestion

[CoexisT]

Just yesterday I came home from the uni to visit my family and my father, sister, and I were all talking about my old school district (split between rich white and poor blacks). I heard my sister say, "I like black people, but I hate niggers." I really hit me quite hard because she doesn't understand the inequality in U.S. society, or world society for that matter, and I don't think she'll really take it to heart if I tell her straight up.

I was wondering if any of you can suggest a book that's easy to read (could be fiction or non-fiction) that gives somewhat of an introduction to social inequalities. I've only read dense textbooks on the subject and never really read about it when I was younger so was never exposed to more simple literature.

Appreciate it.
:)

[gilhyle]

To Kill a Mockingbird ?

[firsty]

"invisible man" by ralph ellison.

"the autobiography of malcolm x" by alex haley.

"common sense" by thomas paine.

[Mujer Libre]

For a perspective that takes gender into account you could try bell hooks' 'Yearning: Race, Gender and Cultural Politics.'

And although it focuses on the UK, 'To Sir With Love' by E.R. Braithwaite might be a good fiction read.

There's also loads of stuff by Steve Biko (Again, set in South Africa, but the stuff about oppression is relevant anywhere) on the web. You could have a look at the sticky at the top of the page. If you're after a book, there's 'Biko' by Donald Woods.

There are also plays by Athol Fugard, and heaps of novels by West Indian novelists that deal with issues of race and discrimination- especially by writers from that part of the world who have emigrated to North America and Britain.

[bezdomni]

Discourse on the Origins of Social Inequality by Rousseau.

[CoexisT]

Originally posted by [email protected] 28, 2006 01:02 am
Discourse on the Origins of Social Inequality by Rousseau.
She's 16 and doesn't read unless required by school. I'm attempting to help her understand society while introducing her, through a gateway book, to the world of books.

I've read many books over the years on the subject, but most of them have been non-fiction and I, as a person, have always been interested in society so I never needed a gateway drug. My sister isn't the same as me, and although I can't force it down her throat, she respects me enough that if I gave her a somewhat easy, at least in vocabulary, and interesting read, she would read it.


At the same time, I appreciate everybody's suggestions thus far. I will look into all of them.

[CoexisT]

Originally posted by [email protected] 27, 2006 10:24 pm
"invisible man" by ralph ellison.

"the autobiography of malcolm x" by alex haley.

"common sense" by thomas paine.
in reference to "invisible man"

I'm looking at the summary on amazon and I'm loving it. Here's my question: does the book have any insight into current social problems as remnants of what happened before the civil rights movement? I'm asking this because, having gone to the same school my sister is going to, we learn all about civil rights and the movements involving slavery. Everybody knows it was wrong. Yet, nobody can see that a lot of the problems still exist. This is the type of book I'd like to give her. I want to know if "Invisible Man" fits this description?

[anarchista feminista]

if she isn't as interested in reading, perhaps a movie? yes to kill a mockingbird is brilliant so maybe the film?

[firsty]

Originally posted by [email protected] 28, 2006 10:09 pm
Here's my question: does the book have any insight into current social problems as remnants of what happened before the civil rights movement?
thats a good question, and i'm not sure. it's been a while since i read it, but, as it's heavy on symbolism (without being too complex in its style), i would imagine that one could read it today and see immediate parallels to today's culture. not only with the assimilation (or lack thereof) of a outsider into city life, but also regarding the main character trying to find his way among social groups that desire change and equality, and how the larger society treats those groups.

it's one of my favorite books. the ending is sort of confusing, but it's a good read.