The Hate U Give and Greenville, SC

In March my book club discussed The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.  It was one of the best discussions we've had - we even went past our usual ending time.  We talked about youth and racism and family dynamics and friendship and interracial relationships and education and ideas of safety.  It was a wide-ranging conversation which goes to show just how much Angie Thomas was able to pack into one novel (and a YA book at that!).

Reading books likes The Hate U Give builds empathy.  A few weeks ago, my community group was discussing how we "exercise the muscle of empathy," and I really think that one way I do that is through reading.  (I know that this is not sufficient or a substitute for talking to and listening to people.)  My world is expanded through reading, and even fiction books can humanize groups of people that I probably won't encounter in my daily life.  Stories about immigrant experiences create a more nuanced understanding of the struggles and joys that come from living in a foreign country and a new culture.  Reading books about black communities struggling with injustice softens my attitude when I hear similar things on the news.

And it is in the news.   Just two days after my book club met, I saw a story on a local news website about a man named Jermaine Massey who was shot and killed by a policeman in a neighborhood just a few blocks away from my house and even closer to my church (Grace & Peace Presbyterian Church).  Here is the initial article: Greenville Man Killed in Deputy Shooting.  Since then, more information has been revealed, as seen here and here.  The situation is so very complicated and tragic.

It's too easy to distance yourself from events like this if you are white and don't live in cities like St. Louis, Chicago, or Sacramento (recently).  This was in my backyard and it affects my neighbors.  This is real.

Lord, have mercy and bring justice.