The Dear Evanston Racial Justice Book Group

Welcome to Dear Evanston's fifth gathering of You Can’t Judge a Book by its Cover Book Group. It’s like high school English or Social Studies class, but you get to chat, eat snacks, and ... NO GRADES!

WHEN IS IT?

Wednesday, April 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WHAT IS IT?

Meet new friends while reading and discussing acclaimed thought- and action-provoking books about racial justice in Evanston, Chicago, and the United States.

WHAT'S THE BOOK?

Our book for Wednesday, April 25 is Parables from the Outskirts of Polite Society by Evanston's own Jerome R. Summers.  

Here's my review:

I have the incredible luck to know Jerome Summers. We both live in Evanston, Illinois, which is a diverse but segregated small city. Jerome and I have had completely different lives and life experiences. I'm a white woman who lives in "white" Evanston. I am, as Jerome puts it, "square," have always lived a "square" life, and belonged to "polite society." He was born and raised in "Black" Evanston and, as he says, he "feels like [he] lives on the outskirts of polite society, close enough to get in, but not necessarily feeling a need to be there." Jerome's beautifully written book of short stories about how he committed to pursuing a square life at age 21 after a third friend died of drug/alcohol-related causes in just one year, is part autobiography, part self-help, part inspirational. It's an incredibly easy read, with vivid and evocative imagery about his childhood growing up in a house with 15 family members--siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents--poor but full of love; about his college years during which he lived in his car and depended on the kindness of strangers (most of whom were pimps, prostitutes, hustlers, and gamblers) to keep from going hungry; and his life after college, succeeding, failing, being evicted, starting businesses, traveling internationally and getting elected twiceto the local school board. His book is about all the lessons he learned with a foot in each world--the square and the street, the Black and the white--about humanity and compassion, redemption, forgiveness, and perseverance. It's about his journey to self-knowledge and the advice he offers to his readers based on his experiences. It's truthful and honest and poetic.  

The Evanston Public Library will have [just four] copies available at the second floor Reader Services desk at the main library starting next week. First come, first served.

Amazon has the book in stock for $14.95. Keep in mind you'll be supporting a local author. To purchase: http://amzn.to/2CzLqGU

WHY SHOULD YOU SIGN UP?

To read and discuss interesting and challenging books and have difficult but neccessary conversations. To develop closer relationships with Evanstonians across race and socio-economic status. To gain new insights from people with different life experiences. To come up with action steps you take to build bridges and make change in Evanston.

WHERE IS IT?

We’ll determine the venue(s) depending on the number of registrants. Location/s will be announced prior to the date.

IS THERE A FEE?

NO! There is no cost to participate, however donations to support the refreshments and administration of the program are welcome.

WHEN CAN I REGISTER?

NOW! but NO later than April 18 at 5 p.m. 

QUESTIONS?

DearEvanston@gmail.com

Thanks to the Dear Evanston Racial Justice book group committee: Eileen Heineman, Betsi Burns Landolt, Hallie Rosen, Linda Slavik, Silveria Steele, Lesley Williams

Thanks to co-sponsors: Curt's Cafe, Evanston Public Library, Hip Circle Studio, OPAL, Action for a Better Tomorrow-Evanston, Open Studio Project, YWCA Evanston-North Shore, Indivisible Evanston, Peaceable Cities, The James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, Open Communities, Evanston Cradle to Career, and Across the Table.