Read Woke

A teacher came in the Mississippi Library Commission last week looking for books to read to her class in honor of Black History Month. As I was helping her, she started telling me about her daughter, Cicely Lewis, who happens to be a librarian in Georgia. That caught my attention even more. You know, because I am a librarian. Nevertheless, her daughter has an organization that recently went viral and it's beautiful about how it all came to be. The movement is called Read Woke and it promotes books about disenfranchised groups of people, giving them a voice. This was interesting because, as book lovers, we always want to promote books that are good for our subconscious and put us in a better place. Her movement became something more than promotion and something of extreme substance; it gives the kids something to look forward to when they flip the pages of everyday learning. Giving students a sense of pride and integrity makes the moments much better. We all know that life can make kids a little rough around the edges, but all it takes is a good book to give them that inspiration they need to become a better version of themselves. Cicely's story is so inspiring and sharing this could impact more than just America, but also the world. Here are a few videos you can watch for more information about Read Woke. Also, MLC has a couple of new books that'll really wake you up. They are If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin and On the Come Up by Jackson native Angie Thomas. Check in with us or your local library for books like these. You won't be disappointed!