Kristian Beverly

When I wrote, All Parts Of Me, I was all ready to fling myself full force into the 21st century Civil Rights Movement. I was angry. I fumed about the posts I’d read from people I knew, and I just wanted to scream at all who went “But actually” or “All Lives Matter.” I watched conversations in the real horse world revolve around diversity and inclusion.

In the model horse sphere such conversations happened too. From changing Native American costume to regalia to conversations of the Confederacy, I read and watched (along with participating). Mares In Black, the model horse podcast, has a series about diversity in the hobby (and I was a guest too!). All of these things made me think of what my skills are and how to use them. It took me a bit to figure out how to do it best, but it’s now ready for the world to see!

This isn’t a book club about discovering that racism and inequality exists. We’re beyond diversity 101 and such exclamations cause us to run around in circles and get nothing done.

Why The Name?

Books are the great equalizer. There are millions of books out there for us to read. History, poetry, fantasy, romance, historical fiction, etc—the sky is the limit in terms of what we can learn. Within these various genres, books fall into difference categories. Some are mirrors, others are windows, and then there are sliding glass doors. Some will see themselves in the books chosen for this book club, and others will be reading something new that doesn’t reflect their own life experiences. But ultimately, even if you do or don’t see your life experience in the books, I hope you will be able to walk into the space and be able empathize with another perspective.

The book club is named after Rudine Sims Bishop’s amazing 1990 article about diversity in children’s literature. In it she wrote:

“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange. These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created or recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection we can see our own lives and experiences as part of a larger human experience. Reading, then, becomes a means of self-affirmation, and readers often seek their mirrors in books.”

How Does It Work?

You get the book, and you listen or read it. You’ll have the span of the month to read the book. At the end of the month, there will be a zoom gathering. During this, I will ask questions that I have created while reading. It will mostly be a discussion about the book along with any other important topics or experiences that the readers believe will facilitate learning. You don’t have to finish the book to attend, but it is recommended.

This is going to be an open space for honest discussion. There will be bumps and mishaps, but everything should be coming from a place of learning.

Want To Join? Here’s How!

When it gets closer to the meeting date, I will post the zoom group club. The first book club will take place in the middle of October. The date will be officially announced soon! Below, you will see a form to complete that asks for your information. Please fill this out, as this will be the primary way of communication for the club. I will post information here too.

What’s the first book?

The first book is How To Be Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi.

Here are a few places that you can find a copy. Your local library(s) are also a great source of gaining a copy.

I’m an affiliate of Bookshop, and I love the idea behind it!

Hopefully you’ll join me on this journey!

It’s been a long, a long time coming 
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will. 

A Change Is Gonna Come, Sam Cooke