Monday Miscellany: Accompanied by fanfare
Notes from February 3 - 9
As I will say more about below, my obsession over the last couple of days has been the sweater I started knitting on Saturday. Working on it was all I really wanted to do this morning, but since I’ve now stretched my coffee-and-audiobook-listening time to its absolute limit (one more row, no seriously, just one more, as the book ended, and then yes, maybe also a podcast episode or two), I guess I’ll pause and move on to my standard Monday activity of writing about the week that was. Ready? Let’s do it.
Currently reading
I very nearly didn’t have a book to talk about this week. I started How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi (in print) on Tuesday morning, but it’s the sort of nonfiction that goes a bit more slowly than, say, a novel, and that fact combined with a full recent schedule of work obligations and evening activities meant that as of this morning, I still had a few chapters to go. However! Thanks to the aforementioned audiobook listening as I knitted and sipped my coffee today (y’all know about Spotify’s fifteen free hours included with Premium plans, right?), I wrapped it up just in time to tell you about it.
You might recognize this one from the year 2020, when the Black Lives Matter movement was resurging in response to the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and others. It was at the top of almost every reading list that circulated around that time, along with an earlier book of Dr. Kendi’s, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. I read Stamped back then and learned a great deal from it, which as I’m typing feels like a bit of an understatement—more accurately, it provided a completely new framework for how I understand racism’s origin and function in this country, and I’m still thinking about it five years later. I highly recommend Stamped as a supplementary (or, more likely, corrective) text to what you were probably taught in school.
How to Be an Antiracist also delves into history, but in a much more selective way, as support for the themes Kendi is exploring in each chapter. The overarching structure is formed by his own life and intellectual development, spanning from his early school days to the present. I liked how intersectional this book is—Kendi connects the broader themes of racism and racist ideas to a wide variety of other parts of society and ways of identifying. There are chapters about power, biology, culture, class, space, gender, and sexuality, just to name a few, and Kendi’s argument is that we can’t fully embrace antiracist ideas and actions without also addressing liberation within these other overlapping areas (and vice versa). Though I found some of his writing a little repetitive at times, it is also clear, well-researched, intellectually compelling, and easy to digest. His tone is welcoming and encouraging, never preachy. I certainly understand why this book has appeared on so many recommendation lists.
(A note on format: When I switched from the hardcover print edition to the audiobook, I quickly realized that Kendi has updated his language, added some clarifications, and expanded the material since the book’s original publication. For that reason, I would suggest either listening to it like I did or reading the paperback, which also features these updates.)
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Currently listening
We’re not really Sports People in this household, but we did watch Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show last night, and holy shit. I don’t think I’ll be able to get “Not Like Us” out of my head for the foreseeable future. This morning I greatly enjoyed reading about the performance from people who know a lot more than I do, like Traci Thomas (whose post is at least partially paywalled, but this is me recommending that you just go ahead and subscribe to her newsletter). If a slide deck is more your speed, this post breaks down and contextualizes some of the symbolism:
Also, oh my god, I hope Drake is okay. I can’t even imagine. 💀
And another thing
This is the sweater pattern I’m knitting right now and I’m so happy with how it’s turning out so far. There will absolutely be further updates on this, so please do stay tuned.
Book Riot recently posted an overview of Black literary movements throughout American history—many of these I knew about already, but the Chicago Black Renaissance was new to me!
Jordan and I went to the used bookstore yesterday to sell some things and browse a little. I only left with one book, Sad Janet by Lucie Britsch, and the opening sentences were what sold me: “It’s eight A.M. on Sunday, and I’m taking a dump at work. Or trying to.” I need to know more, immediately.
As I slowly catch up on my new podcast episode queue, I’m looking forward to hearing this conversation with author Nnedi Okorafor about her reading life! Death of the Author, her newest novel, came out about a month ago and has been getting a lot of good buzz so far.
Haiku round-up
Monday, February 3
Make work an escape: Mind wanders and thoughts fly free while hands do the job
Tuesday, February 4
Numbed arm in a sling, hand hidden in bandages The crooked made straight
Wednesday, February 5
Every little task is another hurdle cleared, proof that I still can
Thursday, February 6
Shared gasps and outrage, much-needed affirmation of what we’ve been through
Friday, February 7
Room after room of fibers in every color, waiting to become
Saturday, February 8
One by one they rise, accompanied by fanfare— The new team is formed
Sunday, February 9
Taking time to put everything in its right place brings a sense of calm
Until next time
Our little Phoebe is going to the vet on Friday to have a small lump in her abdomen removed and analyzed. I’m trying my best not to worry—it’s really teeny and even if it’s something bad, we caught it early—but I bet all you fellow pet lovers out there know just how impossible that is. So if you have any spare positivity and good wishes lying around, please do send them her way! Long may our household kitten queen reign!!
See you next week, and until then, you want a mini goat?
—Emily
If you have any feedback, or want to tell me what you’re reading or listening to, I’d love to hear it! You’re always welcome to leave a comment or reply directly to this email.