The Carbondale Branch of the NAACP will hold book discussions through May to open up conversations across racial and socio-economic lines in the community.
SI Reads is a online discussion forum to educate people on racial issues and how to become active in building a better community.
The Illinois Department of Human Services started the initiative Healing Illinois to promote racial healing.
Rev. Alfred McGowan is discussing the book “Countering The Conspiracy To Destroy Black Boys” by Jawanza Kunjufu published in 1983.
He says the book encourages people to find solutions to address these issues and he wants to start by giving children their own book that interests them.
“Putting a book in the hand of a child is step towards countering the malaise of fourth grade, “I don’t want to learn, I’m a big boy. I don’t like learning.” Countering some of the issues that they deal with rather its racism, rather its parental, rather its home environment, rather it’s the streets, coming up with solutions and so here’s a tangible solution.”
The zoom link can be found on the Carbondale Branch of the NAACP’s Facebook page.
