In 'I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings', Maya Angelou recounts her early life from the age of three to seventeen. The book describes her experiences growing up in the segregated South, including her time living with her paternal grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, and later with her mother in St. Louis and California. Angelou delves into themes of racism, identity, and the struggles of being a Black girl in a male-dominated society. The memoir also touches on her personal struggles, such as being sexually abused at the age of eight and finding solace in literature and her own strong spirit. The book is a powerful exploration of resilience and the impact of societal oppression on individual lives.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a novel that follows the Logan family as they navigate the challenges of racism and economic hardship during the Great Depression. The story, narrated by Cassie Logan, highlights the family's efforts to maintain their land, fight against racial injustices, and uphold their dignity. The novel emphasizes the importance of material independence, family values, and the different tactics the Logans use to cope with and resist racism. It won the Newbery Medal in 1977 and was a finalist for the National Book Award[2][4][5].
Memoirs from authors Glory Edim and Moshe Kasher narrate their lives through cultural objects: books and subcultures. First, Edim, the founder of the Well-Read Black Girl book club, grew up as the child of Nigerian immigrant parents searching for their way into American identity. As part of that journey, Edim found herself through reading. Her memoir,
Gather Me, is a coming-of-age story told through her encounters with books. In today's episode, Edim speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about the early influence of stories such as
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, reading as an act of defiance, and a trove of letters that helped the author reconnect with her father. We then hear from comedian Moshe Kasher, whose memoir
Subculture Vulture is organized around six scenes he's inhabited throughout his life. After deciding to get sober, Kasher accessed community and recovery in expected and unexpected places, from Alcoholics Anonymous to the rave scene. In today's episode, he joins NPR's Rachel Martin to discuss healing core wounds, the relationship between Burning Man and the Jewish Days of Awe, and the responsibility of being a comedian today.
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