Books Against Bigotry – a student-led project

Hellooo prospective/current students! I want to talk to you today about a project that is currently underway. This is a post to give you a quick intro and encourage you to get involved, because we need your support!

So books against bigotry has been born out of the recent wave we have seen relating to race issues within western society.

It comes from a place that sees the pain of the black community and empathises. A place that understands life is difficult, but that it is more difficult if you are a minority.

It comes from a place that wants to know, wants to understand, and wants to be an ally to all minorities.

Bigotry is defined as ‘intolerance towards those who hold different opinions from oneself’ and it is truly the scourge of the earth.

It shuts down conversation, insults those who do not understand, and belittles us when we are most vulnerable: when we need a helpful hand and not a harsh retort.

This project aims to ‘fill in the gaps’, and give people access to perspectives other than their own in a safe environment.

This realisation for many of us, that we have been insensitive to these issues, is daunting. Guilt, shame, and maybe some apprehension about the journey ahead. It will require determination and a willingness to learn.

With this project we are attempting to make the journey easier and more accessible

The truth is we will have to see how this project develops, but stick around if you are wanting to learn more about it.

The concept is such: People with books on race and societal issues in general lend us their books, and they write a short description about what the book means to them and why they’re donating it: a Reflection. People who are interested in learning about the topics can then borrow the books for a small fee which goes towards funding this non-profit, and towards a chairty chosen by the book donor. Once the lender is done with reading the book, they too fill out the Reflections page, talking about what they’ve learnt and how this book has maybe helped shape their perspective. The book then continues its cycle, in turn creating a timeline of education and perspective changing that its responsible for.

If you are atall interested please visit our instagram @books.against.bigotry and fill out the market research form! We also have a facebook books against bigotry.

We’re trialing this locally, in Essex, and if all goes well hope to scale up to universities at the beggining of next year! So please dont hesitate to get involvd.

Thanks so much for reading, stay safe, and stay open-minded. The future is ours to shape x