- “Americanah,” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (MacArthur Fellow 2008)
- “Homegoing,” by Yaa Gyasi
- “How to be an Antiracist,” by Ibram X. Kendi (MacArthur Fellow 2021)
- “The Sum of Us,” by Heather McGhee
- “White Tears / Brown Scars,” by Ruby Hamad
Quantifying the impact of racism and genocide, healing generational trauma, and building an equitable society requires critical study and profound discourse. The Common Book Program invites all faculty into this conversation. To determine what is required to “form a new generation of ethical leaders who will identify, analyze, and respond to the most challenging problems facing our rapidly changing global society” (LMU Strategic Plan, 2021-26), we must contemplate the limits of our own expertise, consider new sources of knowledge, and erect ideological bridges where deep chasms have historically dwelt.
The five books selected for this year’s Common Book Collection provide us the opportunity to foster an intellectual and interdisciplinary dialogue capable of bridging ideological divides and elevating stale understandings. The authors confront issues central to the Black experience ranging from brutality to reconciliation; traverse multiple disciplines from the humanities to the social sciences; and raise essential questions about our past, present, and potential future. By bringing these conversations into the classroom, we increase our ability to cultivate a campus community informed by principles of inclusivity and guided by disciplined reason.
We invite all faculty to incorporate one or more books, or one or more excerpts from the books, into courses this year. If you would like to learn how to attain a free book, how to access teaching resources, or how to sign-up for paid opportunities to host events and discussion, please complete this form.