Hear Me Out: Racial Histories
Systemic racism touches all parts of life and is linked to everything from poverty, to health, to education, to incarceration. It’s a racism that doesn’t rely on racist thoughts or actions from individuals, but rather on the laws, regulations, preferences and power structures that have built up over the centuries, and that continue to harm people of color. Check out these titles to learn more about systemic racism. And if you’d like to discuss these and related issues, the Library is co-hosting a virtual event on Wednesday, May 26 as part of the ‘Hear Me Out’ Dialogue Series.
Memoirs of Pittsburgh
In these memoirs we as readers can immerse ourselves in the lives of real people who are looking back on the Pittsburghs of their past and revealing how these personal versions of our city have shaped and changed them.
The Oscars, Race and Representation
In connection with Dr. Gooding’s talk, here is a list of films spanning almost 100 years, some nominated for or winners of Oscars, and some that are in the canon of Black film history but were not recognized by the Academy.
Pittsburgh Poets
In this list we celebrate poets that have lived in Pittsburgh, either growing up here or coming here later in life, and whose work is informed by this city. Whether the influence is obvious or more subtle, the crucial worlds that they spin with their words have the power to evoke these landscapes we live in every day.
Welcome to Pittsburgh: Mysteries and Thrillers
Since mystery, crime and suspense stories are a big and popular genre, it’s no surprise that they are also the biggest genre of Pittsburgh-based fiction. Literary crime stories, cozy mystery series, hardboiled detectives and all kinds of Mafia families are represented here.
Women of Color Who Have Made an Impact in Our Lives
There are so many women of color from the past and in our present making a difference in the world around us! To learn more about these awesome women, check out these titles.
Black and LGBTQ+ Authors
From science fiction to historical fiction and memoirs, these books portray various experiences of both Blackness and queerness.
Raise a Village Resources
Check out these books written for parents and caregivers of African American children.
All Boys Aren’t Blue
This memoir manifesto by cultural critic Johnson navigates Blackness, masculinity and queerness while asking readers to explore the social forces that shape their lives.
Romances by Black Authors
With wit and smarts, these romances explore love, identity and self-discovery.