Loved reading this Ruth. And inspired by a fascinating twisty turny 60MBC discussion. Such a great perspective on it in this post, which I think really gets to the point of what the story was about. It really did get me questioning my own biases about race, black vs white. Even tho I knew the story was intentionally ambiguous about race when I started it, my brain still tried to figure out which character was black and which was white, and which are traits of which. Looking forward to lots more important complex discussions with you xx
Thanks Hannah. I really enjoy the different perspectives we all bring to 60MBC, it inspires my thoughts. As for Recitatif, it’s a masterpiece. So layered.
I too look forward to many more meaty discussions!x
Your posts are always so thought-provoking Ruth, so I'm thrilled that today's was inspired by our story this month - thank you for the shout out!
I had a similar response reading this particular story. I also wondered how much Morrison's narrative device was making that point that life is always lived in the grey areas - fiction is so wonderful for exploring them.
I definitely noticed more of my own biases when I moved abroad, especially working abroad where work culture can be quite different. I think we don't realise how much what we see as the 'right way' is actually just 'our way' of doing something - one way out of many possible. It's humbling and eye-opening.
Thanks Emma. So glad you liked it. Everyone of the books you’ve selected for 60MBC has made me stop and think.
Your experience of ‘other’ from working abroad is fascinating and so true. I observe the same with my Italian friend…we are similar but different…And after all, we are making judgements from our own often insular cultural experience and think we are right! An unintended arrogance perhaps?
Great post Ruth. You ask interesting questions about tolerance and bias that most of us don't think enough about. Trying to understand that everyone has their own truth and their reality is probably very different to the reality that I see, is the approach I take to challenge my own instinctive bias.
Sounds like a fab book and one that I should add to my list. Aren't books that make you stop and think so amazing?!
p.s. Also loved the Beyonce post but was too overcome with envy to comment! 😉
Thanks for your thoughtful reply Amanda. I agree. So many of us are swept up in our own sense of knowing that we forget to reflect on the position of others…do read it. It’ll only take you about 30mins (or 60 mins if you get the latest edition with the forward by Zadie Smith).
Love a good book that provokes thought. Consider going Emma’s 60MBC maybe?
As for your feeling about Bey, I get it…feeling that myself with Glastonbury goers 🤣. Have a good week
I’ve found moving towards an assumption that the average person has honourable intentions to have been hugely beneficial to wellbeing.
Looking for malicious intent at every turn is, frankly, exhausting.
Great post, nice to have a ‘heavy’ one every now and then!
That’s a really positive and healthy assumption to hold David. Thanks for sharing it. I agree!
And glad you liked it, the story that provoked it certainly moved me.
Loved reading this Ruth. And inspired by a fascinating twisty turny 60MBC discussion. Such a great perspective on it in this post, which I think really gets to the point of what the story was about. It really did get me questioning my own biases about race, black vs white. Even tho I knew the story was intentionally ambiguous about race when I started it, my brain still tried to figure out which character was black and which was white, and which are traits of which. Looking forward to lots more important complex discussions with you xx
Thanks Hannah. I really enjoy the different perspectives we all bring to 60MBC, it inspires my thoughts. As for Recitatif, it’s a masterpiece. So layered.
I too look forward to many more meaty discussions!x
Your posts are always so thought-provoking Ruth, so I'm thrilled that today's was inspired by our story this month - thank you for the shout out!
I had a similar response reading this particular story. I also wondered how much Morrison's narrative device was making that point that life is always lived in the grey areas - fiction is so wonderful for exploring them.
I definitely noticed more of my own biases when I moved abroad, especially working abroad where work culture can be quite different. I think we don't realise how much what we see as the 'right way' is actually just 'our way' of doing something - one way out of many possible. It's humbling and eye-opening.
Thanks Emma. So glad you liked it. Everyone of the books you’ve selected for 60MBC has made me stop and think.
Your experience of ‘other’ from working abroad is fascinating and so true. I observe the same with my Italian friend…we are similar but different…And after all, we are making judgements from our own often insular cultural experience and think we are right! An unintended arrogance perhaps?
Thanks again for the 60MBC!
Great post Ruth. You ask interesting questions about tolerance and bias that most of us don't think enough about. Trying to understand that everyone has their own truth and their reality is probably very different to the reality that I see, is the approach I take to challenge my own instinctive bias.
Sounds like a fab book and one that I should add to my list. Aren't books that make you stop and think so amazing?!
p.s. Also loved the Beyonce post but was too overcome with envy to comment! 😉
Thanks for your thoughtful reply Amanda. I agree. So many of us are swept up in our own sense of knowing that we forget to reflect on the position of others…do read it. It’ll only take you about 30mins (or 60 mins if you get the latest edition with the forward by Zadie Smith).
Love a good book that provokes thought. Consider going Emma’s 60MBC maybe?
As for your feeling about Bey, I get it…feeling that myself with Glastonbury goers 🤣. Have a good week