The School of Public Policy is committed to creating a thriving, inclusive environment at the School, where everyone takes an active role in incorporating diversity, inclusion and belonging into their work, classroom and interactions with students and colleagues. To that end, we’re excited to share our monthly recommendations for books, poetry, documentaries, podcasts, art and more for students to refer to on their personal and professional journeys to cultivating diversity, inclusion and belonging.
In the month of November we celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month all month long, as well as National American Indian Heritage Day on November 27. We also commemorate Transgender Awareness Week from November 13 to 19 and Transgender Day of Rememberence on November 20. To that end, here are a few recommendations from SPP staff, faculty, and members of the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Taskforce for you to engage with this month.
Whereas, by Layli Long Soldier
“Long Soldier reminds readers of their physical and linguistic bodies as they are returned to language through their mouths and eyes and tongues across the fields of her poems.”- The New York Times Book Review
WHEREAS confronts the coercive language of the United States government in its responses, treaties, and apologies to Native American peoples and tribes, and reflects that language in its officiousness and duplicity back on its perpetrators.
Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock
Redefining Realness: My Path to Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More is Janet’s coming-of-age story celebrating the perils and pleasures of her unconventional girlhood in Honolulu, Dallas and Oakland. It’s the first memoir from a young trans woman and debuted on The New York Times bestsellers list!
There There by Tommy Orange
One of The New York Times 10 Best Books of the Year. A wondrous and shattering novel that follows twelve characters from Native communities: all traveling to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one another in ways they may not yet realize.
“I read There There by Tommy Orange. This novel has been on my ‘to read’ list for a few months now. I am so glad I made time to read it. The story follows 12 different characters from Native American communities living in and around Oakland, CA; where each chapter follows a different character. Throughout this enthralling novel, the author confronts stereotypes, describes some of the history of Native Americans including the broken treaties and attempted genocide, all while providing information about Native cultures, such as the details of pow wows. If you're looking for a novel, I highly recommend this!” - Samantha Porzel, Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Administrative Assistant