HSGP@ Unity Initiative's Social Justice Book Club: The New Jim Crow

January 2026 - Inclusion / Social Justice
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

The Unity Initiative* meets on Zoom for 75+ minutes on 4th Tuesdays for their Social Justice Book Club. We may choose to head over to the virtual library on Discord afterwards for further discussion amongst ourselves including:

• What lessons did we glean from the book and discussion?
• What, if anything, applies within the context of HSGP specifically or Humanism in general?
• Which of the Humanist 10 Commitments** apply?
• Are there any potential actions we as individuals or as HSGP can plan and take to incorporate our learnings to further advance one or more of the Humanist 10 Commitments?

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This book club is a 'Unity Initiative - Anti-Racism Fellowship'* event.
* Unity Initiative's Meetup group can be found at https://www.meetup.com/unity-initiative-social-diversity/

## Details

ABOUT THIS BOOK CLUB:
This is a recurring discussion meeting monthly every 4th Tuesday on Zoom. Please read the book of the month before the meeting and bring your thoughts and questions. We will discuss the monthly book, then follow up with discussions.
MISSION:
Thru reading and discussing books about racism and anti-racism as a group, learn about our own individual biases (Unity Initiative's #1 pillar) and the issues affecting historically and currently disadvantaged populations at higher risk of poverty, social injustice and exclusion, discrimination and violence including, but not limited to, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Muslims, Asian, LGBTQ, etc.
GOALS:
To provide a non-judgmental space to discuss, learn and grow as individuals and together, and identify local opportunities where individuals can make progress towards greater equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice in our communities.
*Book Club Discussion Ground Rules*
● Recognize:
We recognize that we must strive to overcome historical and divisive biases, such as racism and sexism, in our society.
● Acknowledge:
We acknowledge that we are all systematically taught misinformation about our own group(s) and about members of other groups. This is true for everyone, regardless of our group(s).
● No Blame:
We agree not to blame ourselves or others for the misinformation we have learned, but to accept responsibility for not repeating misinformation after we have learned otherwise.
● Trust:
Everyone has come to the table to learn, grow, and share. We acknowledge that we may be at different stages of learning on the content and discussion topics. We will trust that people will do the best they can. We all make mistakes and have bad days; when these occur, let's challenge and encourage each other to do better.
● Respect:
We agree to treat other participants' reflections and questions with respect. We acknowledge once again that we may be at different stages of learning on the topic. However, this does not mean we should ignore problematic statements.
● Individual Experience:
We agree that no one should be required or expected to speak for their whole race or gender. We can't, even if we wanted to.
● Share the Air:
Share responsibility for including all voices in the discussion. If you have a tendency to dominate discussions, take a step back and help the group invite others to speak. If you tend to stay quiet, challenge yourself to share ideas so others can learn from you.
● Not Experts:
The facilitators are not "experts." They are here to help facilitate the process. They and everyone in the group are here to learn. We also recognize that everyone has an opinion. Opinions, however, are not the same as informed knowledge backed up by research. Depending on the topic and context, both are valid to share but it's important to know the difference. To engage in deep learning, we will want to lean more toward informed knowledge and gain practice reflecting and speaking thoughtfully on difficult topics.
● Ask for help:
It's okay not to know. Keep in mind that we are all still learning and are bound to make mistakes when approaching a complex task or exploring new ideas. Be open to changing your mind, and make space for others to do so as well.
*Adapted from the Iowa State University Ground Rules for DEI Discussions

Upcoming:
2026 BOOK CLUB LIST:
(Selection based on Heritage Months List)

January 2026 - Inclusion / Social Justice
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander

February 2026 - Black History Month
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coate

March 2026 - Women's History
Formidable: American Women and the Fight for Equality: 1920-2020 by Elisabeth Griffith

April 2026 - Arab American
My Brother, My Land: A Story from Palestine by Sami Hermez (Author), Sireen Sawalha

May 2026 - AAPI Heritage Month
Owner of a Lonely Heart: A Memoir of Motherhood and Absence by Beth Nguyen

June 2026 - LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H

July 2026 - Disability Pride Month
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong

August 2026 - Inclusion / Broader Justice
The Good Ally: The indispensable guide to anti-racism by Nova Reid

September 2026 - Hispanic
Inventing Latinos: A New Story of American Racism by Laura E. Gómez

October 2026 -
Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

November 2026 - Native American Heritage Month
Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman's Search for Justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch

December - No Meeting
Happy Holidays!

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Past Books:

## November 2025:

Highway Of Tears: a true story of racism, indifference, and the pursuit of justice for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls
by Jessica McDiarmid

## October 2025:

The History of White Peoples by Painter, Nell Irving

## September 2025:

American Chica: Two Worlds, One Childhood by Arana, Marie

## August 2025:

White Like Me by Tim Wise

## July 2025:

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be An Ally by Ladau, Emily

## June 2025:

The Risk It Takes to Bloom on Life and Liberation by Willis, Raquel

## May 2025:

Minor Feelings by Hong by Cathy Park

## April 2025:

Not That Bad by Gay, Roxanne

## March 2025:

Brave Hearted the Women of the American West by Katie Hickman

## February 2025:

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee

## January 2025:

The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: and the Path to a Shared American Future by Robert Jones

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