Solidarity is just the start
Solidarity is just the start
We're closing out Women's History Month with a shoutout to all of the women who are speaking out, standing up, and smashing the patriarchy. In the wake of the Atlanta shooting, where 7 of the 8 people killed were women and 6 were of Asian descent, it is critical that we make our voices heard: Racism and violence against women must be stopped. And every one of us must commit to daily acts that dismantle the systems that perpetuate this violence: White supremacy. Unequal pay. Lack of health care and child care and affordable housing. Poverty.
Last week, our Instagram feeds were flooded with #StandupforAAPI selfies and book stacks. Raising awareness for Asian authors and showing support for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community is a start. But true allyship requires more than signaling solidarity on social media. You've got to follow up with action, and commit to that action for the long haul. Make a donation to a community nonprofit. Volunteer. Write letters. Demand common sense gun control legislation. Talk to your friends and family members. Support underrepresented authors. Abandon Amazon and Audible and shop at independent bookstores. Loan your privilege to those who need it. This is how we change the system.
In honor of Women's History Month, SBC blogger Morgan Holzer created a Bookshop.org reading list and Spotify playlist featuring 11 songs by women artists, influenced by women authors. From a power ballad based on tragedy to a classic poem disguised as soulful gospel, women are clearly inspirations to each other. We are donating the proceeds from any sales from this list to Kore Press Institute, an intersectional-feminist, literary arts organization dedicated to keeping the margins in the center. Buy books and support women, this month and every month.
Guinevere & Laura
Stand Up for AAPI
Bookstagrammers, authors, and the book industry rallied on Instagram to raise awareness of ongoing hate crimes against Asian Americans. Read about the campaign, then take action.
Stop AAPI hate
Phenomenal Women Playlist
Listen to 11 songs by women artists, influenced by women authors, then buy the books. All proceeds go to Kore Press Institute, an intersectional-feminist literary arts organization.
See the playlist
BOOKMARKS
Here are some highlights of what we've been reading online.
Pre-order new releases from our friends: Chris Gardner, Susan McPherson, Seth Levine
YA Books About Asian Americans in the Past and Present Epic Reads
Congrats to SBC host, Liza Achilles, for her Bookshop feature! Liza's blog
Yaa Gyasi to White people: Black authors are not your medicine The Guardian
Thread: #100DaysofArtHistoryJinjins
LGBTQ+ Book Challenges Continue School Library Journal
Rest In Peace, Beverly Cleary NPR
8 Picture Books About Imagination and Identity NY Times
IKEA has replaced its print catalog with a 4-hour audiobook Quartz
Guinevere shares SBC's origin story and more Turn the Page podcast
Y'all need to calm down about Dr. Seuss The Guardian
How to resist Amazon and why The New Yorker
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SILENT BOOK SHOP
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Sorry I'm Booked Canvas Tote - $24.95
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