The Belfield Banter Black History Month
Issue VI
artwork by Taja Carey
The St. Anne’s-Belfield Student Newspaper
artwork by Kalani Clark
Excerpts of Our Community’s John Lewis Reflection
A Few Favorite Books by Black Authors
— How is your own community asking you to change? What makes it hard socially and personally to get in ‘good trouble’?
— Last month, I wrote recommendations for books that I had read recently and enjoyed, and since February is Black History Month, I’ve compiled some of my favorite and most anticipated titles by Black authors!
Submitted by Students and Faculty
“It can be hard to get into “good trouble” because people care about what others think of them.” “It’s hard socially and personally to get into ‘good trouble’ because of fear. Fear of other people’s thoughts and the way others may interact with you or perceive you, if you get into ‘good trouble’.” “There may be a sense of fear when trying to make good trouble. [There can be a] scary feeling of ‘am I doing the right thing, is this going to help or be seen?’ You would want someone else to step up first, but we should be the person to step up first.”
by Lyra Stewart
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett In The Vanishing Half, two twin girls, both lightskinned Black women, run away from home after experiencing trauma at sixteen. One marries a darkskinned Black man and has a child while the other lives her life passing as a white woman. The book follows their lives and how they differ from one another yet remain connected as the story explores identity, family, and race. I have read this book and really enjoyed it as it gave me new perspectives as we look at how the two women’s lives differ as it touches on important topics, but also has a beautiful story.
Page 1