I’m Booked: “Say Their Names”
Written by Ally Abruscato. Photo courtesy of Harvey B. Gantt Center.
If you are looking for an informative book on the history and importance of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, I would recommend “Say Their Names: How Black Lives Came to Matter in America.” This book is written from multiple perspectives by authors Curtis Bunn, Michael H. Cottman, Patrice Gaines, Nick Charles and Keith Harriston. Published in 2021, it examines racism in America and the actions that eventually led to the 2020 protests.
“Say Their Names” contains a lot of history, but it’s a lot easier to read than high school textbooks. The differing journalists allow for a constant change in voice and various stories. The stories and statistics are authentic and profound. Each journalist brings their own point of view to the injustices that people of color face every day. The book covers a lot of topics, including the criminal justice system, the history of the BLM movement and leaders who are working to change the world.
I found this book to be very engaging and informative. A good mixture of history, opinions and current news created a well-rounded book. It managed to highlight stories and information that are often misportrayed in schools and media. The authors did a great job of educating the reader on an assortment of topics. However, it remains the reader’s job to continue the fight. If the movements of 2020 are forgotten or diminished, what was the point? It is vital that Americans and people around the world continue to say their names and argue for justice.
The writing of all the authors involved is poignant. One example is the quote, “The questions are obvious: Can America save a Black child without locking him up for fifteen years when he becomes a man- or does America even want to? How do we dismantle a system built on structural racism that disproportionately sentences and locks up Black people?”
Reading “Say Their Names: How Black Lives Came to Matter in America” is a good first step in being actively anti-racist. It is essential to listen to people’s narratives and amplify their voices. The BLM movement remains incredibly important and cannot be forgotten. I’ll be back soon with another book review, but until then, I’m Booked.
As Editor-in-Chief, Ally Abruscato leads and supports a talented group of staff and contributors in pursuing their creative endeavors. At SCAD, Ally majors in Photography and minors in Advertising & Branding. She regularly offers pop culture insights through movie reviews, articles and her weekly column, “I’m Booked.” When she’s not writing or taking photos, Ally’s probably outside, reading or running.
