These Heathens
Notes
This is a coming of age story as Doris is exposed to new ideas and comes to a lot of important realizations over the course of a weekend alongside her mentor in Atlanta during the kick-off of a wave of civil rights sit-ins.
Though it was a quick read (maybe even YA level), it's packed with a lot of big themes and insights, including the differing approaches of the civil rights movement amongst the Black community, abortion rights, and more. (Some questions included how integration may hurt Black businesses and integrated schools would mean “the end of colored teachers… and what would the impact be of white teachers on colored children.”)
Though it was a quick read (maybe even YA level), it's packed with a lot of big themes and insights, including the differing approaches of the civil rights movement amongst the Black community, abortion rights, and more. (Some questions included how integration may hurt Black businesses and integrated schools would mean “the end of colored teachers… and what would the impact be of white teachers on colored children.”)
The characters are very vivid and packed with personality, heart, and wit. There were several funny and tender moments.
“When I was a child whenever my mother would tell me she loved me, I’d say “I love you too Mother.” One day she told me “Sylvie, you don’t always have to say it back. It’s nice if you love me. But loving me is not your responsibility. All the responsibility in this relationship is mine."