Book Recommendations

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In the spirit of the day, I thought I'd share a few book and movie recommendations. I found these to be very good to read back when my wife and I first started dating. The first one we found by accident in a bookstore, the second two she recommended, and I loved them. I hope you enjoy them.

Just Don't Marry One

Available at Amazon.

The title is tongue-in-cheek. It's a collection of writings compiled together by a Christian interracial married couple, George and Sherelyn Yancey. It's a great support for interracial couples from dating, to marriage, to parenting. It's good for parents of interracial couples, and for interracial couples who are parents raising biracial kids. It also has chapters written for pastors and church communities. It touches on history, theology, culture, and personal experiences. 

One of the top lessons out of this book: When it comes to struggles, the top issues for interracial couples tend to be money and faith, just as in any other marriage. That's not to say race isn't a thing, but it isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes the learning process is downright exciting. Sometimes it's scary. But I wouldn't trade it for the world.


Black Like Me

Available used at Amazon, apparently very popular right now.

This is the true autobiographical account of a white reporter from the North who wanted to find out what life was really like for an unemployed black man in the South, during the height of Jim Crow. He cut and dyed his hair, changed his skin color, and went travelling. His experience was incredibly eye-opening. The edition I got included pictures from before and during his journey.

Not many people can actually say they've seen it from both sides, at least not like John Howard Griffin.







Amistad (the movie) and Black Mutiny (the documentary book)

The movie and the book are both available at Amazon.

Morgan Freeman. Anthony Hopkins. Djimon Hounsou. A powerful historical drama about an under-taught event in the time bridging the American Revolution and the Civil War. A Spanish ship with illegally enslaved African natives ends up in an American port, opening a crisis between states and nations that goes all the way to the Supreme Court.

The movie is filled with powerful moments and moving words. This book backs the story up as a nonfiction account. I heartily recommend both.

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