A Message from our Missing Leader

Pam was going to be the discussion leader for The Watson's Go to Birmingham in February, but she stayed in bed with a stuffy head instead. Not one to leave us stranded, and not one to hold back an opinion, she e-mailed us what she would have said if she were there. Here's an excerpt:

As a girl growing up in the 50's and 60's in Idaho, I had no idea that there were racial injustices in the United States like those endured by African Americans in the South during these years. Books like The Watson's Go to Birmingham, 1963 give me an historical perspective that I treasure. Books like Grapes of Wrath, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Chosen, and many others I read in my younger years (I am pretty dang old) have helped me understand the true nature of what it means to be brothers and sisters on this earth and I think it behooves us as members of the Restored Gospel's organized church during these last days to do everything we can to eliminate every aspect of stereotypical behavior toward other races and religions that we can. If a children's book can remind us of our responsibilities toward others, then hear, hear for that children's book.

We all loved the book and had an insightful discussion. Thanks to Lori who shared experiences she had while living in Mississippi. More than racial differences, we discussed economic and cultural prejudices. Thanks to Christopher Paul Curtis for writing such good books about the African American experience. Some have gone back to read Elijah of Buxton that they missed last year, and Bud, Not Buddy - two more by the same author.