We asked Aerie’s very own Public Relations Coordinator, Jaylen, and her friends to share some of their favorite books in honor of Black History Month this February. See their picks below, then comment and share your thoughts if you’re also a fan of these powerful books.
Jaylen’s pick: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Born a Crime is a captivating autobiography about comedian Trevor Noah growing up biracial in South Africa during the apartheid.
I love this book because it educated me on a topic I was unfamiliar about [apartheid], from a personal perspective. It was interesting to learn about African “Jim Crows” and how a biracial child thrived in such environment. I also enjoyed his perspective on his African mother; he describes her as a true warrior. His mother’s courage and strength is something that is embodied in every black women at a very young age. She had the personality to find solutions, regardless the circumstance, and to protect her own. I feel that speaks volume on how a lot of black women were raised.
About Jaylen: I am an observant southern girl who is learning how to thrive in sleepless New York City. I am a recent NYU graduate and a member on the Aerie PR + Brand team. When I’m not at home accompanying my extremely obnoxious sneaker collection, I am exploring the city for all its hidden gems of knowledge and black culture.
Makayla’s pick: We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True by Gabrielle Union
We’re Going to Need More Wine is a gripping autobiography about actress and activist Gabrielle Union.
This book is one of my favorites because she wrote from the perspective of growing up in an area populated with people that do not look like her and her issues with finding comfort within her community. Growing up in a similar situation, I can relate to the struggles of trying to find your “blackness” and what it means to be black when the only culture you are surrounded by is white culture. She also writes about women embracing their sexuality and being open to exploring relationships outside of their race.
About Makayla: I am a twenty-five year old young professional in Newport News, Virginia. I am a mixed breed of multiple cultures, German, Black, Hawaiian, and Puerto Rican, who has learned how to be comfortable with my blackness. I am a woman who embraces everything I am and is openly speaking on issues in our community.
Amirah’s pick: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Things Fall Apart is a fictional novel based on Nigeria pre and post colonialism.
I enjoyed this book because it taught me to be grateful for who I am and what I have. We often look at other people and their situations and think the “grass is greener” but the majority of the time, that’s not the case. I also enjoyed this book because it helped me to better understand myself and where I come from.
About Amirah: I am a creative entrepreneur whose influence is rooted in all of our unique spiritual abilities and tendencies. I express myself through food and fashion and writing.
Akosua’s pick: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Americanah is a fictional novel about a Nigerian woman who travels to the United States for University and experiences being black in America for the first time.
Being raised in Ghana, my skin wasn’t “black,” it was just skin. When I moved to America, it was a bit of a culture shock to see how differently black people are viewed and treated. This book, to some extent, prepared me for my transition here with that reality wrapped in humor; which made it not only enlightening, but hilarious to read. It really changed my perspective because in Ghana we are viewed as human beings but in the West, everyone is limited to their color.
About Akosua: A straight-forward mixture of food, culture, music and laughter 🙂 My life revolves around hustling to school, working, making major memories with my people and watching 90-Day Fiancé. I come from Ghana (woohoo!), and I consider myself more of a cat person. I fell in love with reading as a child listening to my mum read to me at bedtime. She would do these hilarious theatrical-level voices of characters, letting my imagination run wild and leaving me in painful giggle fits! I believe that was the beginning of my love-affair with creativity, fantasy and storytelling.
Shikera’s pick: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Hate U Give is an intense fictional novel about the issues of police brutality, racism, and a young woman learning how to navigate through the oppression.
This is one of my favorite books because it painted the reality of our current times. To me, it was much more than police brutality, but a deep dive into the stereotypes that lead to this level of hatred. Black people are seen to be more aggressive and dangerous when actually aren’t. I feel I relate to Starr the most because she constantly had to change the way she spoke, dressed and behaved around her white friends at school to avoid those stereotypes. I believe that is the harsh reality we, as black people, face when we are around certain audiences. We have to mask our true selves to some extent so we aren’t perceived negatively.
About Shikera: I am an educated black woman who aspires to provide communities with the resources needed to become successful. I help provide jobs and educational programs that assist with difficult topics such as building credit, money management, and finding affordable housing.
Have you read any of these books? Comment below and share your thoughts!