The Grace Of Silence: A Memoir (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
This memoir by Michele Norris, cohost of NPR's All Things Considered, delivers an informative, compelling view of race relations in the US. In uncovering long hidden instances from her family's past including her father being shot by a policeman and her Grandmother traveling around making pancakes as Aunt Jemima, she explores racism past and present. The book is thoughtful, informative and well researched. The ongoing struggle is also illuminated by examples from our nation's history. In addition to enjoying a well written memoir, I have gained more specific insights than available from my privileged white male perspective. The Grace of Silence was an intriguing intertwining of a family's story with little known details of the times in which they lived. Between south Minneapolis where Michele grew up and Birmingham, AL, where her father grew up and where she spent time every summer, threads of family stories were shared.After learning only after his death about an incident involving her father in Birmingham when he was 20, Michele vigorously researched it. What she learned about her father, an African American just returned from serving in the Navy in WW II, led to exploration of the experiences and impact of those young soldiers on the future civil rights movement. The discussion of the silence of people about certain parts of their pasts, even to their families, addresses the reasons for such silence and the gains and losses of it.The book concludes with a powerful encouragement for readers to ask questions and encourage sharing with parents and grandparents while they are still here to share.
What do You think about The Grace Of Silence: A Memoir (2010)?
Interesting book about family secrets and growing up black in south Minneapolis.
—Prabhpreet
Opens the door to talk about race in America in a new way. Beautifully written!
—tonton
