Myers Outstanding Book Awards 2000 Winners

Toni Cade Bambara, These Bones Are Not My Child: A Novel, Pantheon Press. The late author chronicles in fictional form the Atlanta Black community's persistent fight to get action from the police, politicians, and the media on behalf of the abducted and murdered Black children in the 1980s. Bambara drew from detailed journal notes written while living in Atlanta during the siege. The integrity of major events is maintained. As one review panelist noted: the book reminds the reader that the true heart of community is in the mundane.

Tahar Ben-Jelloun, Racism Explained to My Daughter New Press. This is the first translation into English of this book by noted Moroccan French novelist/essayist/human rights activist/renaissance man. In addition to the dialogue developed with his young daughter, Mérième, and the collaboration of her friends, readers gain a bonus: thoughtful articles in response written by William Ayers, Bill Cosby, Lisa D. Delpit, David Mura, and Patricia Williams. An excellent book for parents, grandparents, teachers, child care workers, helping professionals--all of us!

Virginia Casper and Steven Schultz, Gay Parents/Straight Schools: Building Communication and Trust Teachers College Press. Ethnographic study and cutting edge insights re proactive educational practices respectful of gay/lesbian parenting realities. Dr. Casper, a developmental psychologist, currently directs the Infant and Parent Development and Early Intervention Program at Bank Street College of Education.

Richard Delgado When Equality Ends: Stories About Race and Resistance Westview Press. Narratives by a University of Colorado Law professor who cleverly crafts intergenerational dialogue between fictional characters about racial politics and alternative legal remedies. Delgado, noted critical race law theorist, puts forth multiple ideas for consideration regarding the "free market," race consciousness in public policy, mediation, and more.

Jean Hardisty Mobilizing Resentment: Conservative Resurgence From the John Birch Society to the Promise Keepers Beacon Press. Unfolds the leadership, ideologies, dynamics, movement-building modus operandi and "take-over" achievements of a panoply of radical right organizations and think tanks. Dr. Hardisty details the formation of right-wing movements in opposition to the struggles for expansion of rights for people of color, white women, and lesbians and gays. She suggests how progressives might rebuild their influence and achievements.

Chang-Rae Lee A Gesture Life: A Novel Riverhead/Penguin Putnam. Masterfully touches on secrets, confusion, and conflict about identities and responsibilities, and their impact on Mr. Hata, a man of propriety newly retired, his family and a suburban US community. Lee, Korean-born, directs the Hunter College MFA Program. For insight into the genesis of this novel, see "Commentary" on this website.

Michael Patrick MacDonald All Souls: A Family Story from Southie Beacon Press. Autobiographical telling of the experiences and context for an impoverished Irish American family in Boston from the 1960s to the 1990s. It is more than that, however, for the young author talks of the strengths and the flaws of the beloved local neighborhood, and of his current involvement in anti-violence programming.

Mitchell T. Maki; Harry H. Kitano; S. Megan Berthold Achieving The Impossible Dream University of Illinois Press. Historical analysis of the twists and turns of organizing, and the effectiveness of various strategies within that, by the Japanese American redress movement. The book tracks shifts in attitudes in different arenas, and offers a "proper alignment" model (community, general society, legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government) regarding the necessary process in influencing public policy.

Judy Maloof, editor and translator Voices of Resistance: Testimonies of Cuban and Chilean Women University Press of Kentucky. In an engaging format, six Cuban and seven Chilean social justice activists tell their stories against the backdrop of 1959 Cuban revolution and 1973 Chilean coup: Naty Revuelta, A'da Pelayo, Mar'a Antonia Carrillo, Ziola Elisa Alfonso González, Nancy Morej--n, Belkis Vega, Elena Maureira, Mirta Crocco, Elena Pinilla, Alicia Oyarsún, Rosa Alfaro, Belinda Zubecueta, and Chiloé Sasso each contribute to readers' understanding of women's active engagement in changing the world.

Philippe Wamba Kinship: A Family's Journey in Africa and America Dutton. Using the prism of his own life, Wamba examines the relationship, often a gulf, between Africans and African Americans. His Congolese father married an African American, and the family resided during his adolescent years in Tanzania. This young journalist provides historical and contemporary insights regarding the interchange of cultures and practices.

James Wilson The Earth Shall Weep: A History of Native America Atlantic Monthly Press. Respectful historical account of Indians of North America, the settler invasions and devastating elimination of co-existence possibilities and realities. The British scholar deepens readers' understandings that there truly were alternative ways that the US could have developed.

Eric K. Yamamoto Interracial Justice: Conflict & Reconciliation in Post-Civil Rights America NYU Press. A thoughtful examination of the dynamics of grievance and possibilities of alliance-building between and among communities of color. Yamamoto explores issues of justice and how "racial groups can be simultaneously oppressed in one relationship and complicitous in oppression in another." The book discusses real and possible ways to build just, non-oppressive relationships.

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