On August 16, we discussed poet, novelist, and activist Helen Hunt Jackson's 1884 novel Ramona. Set in California in the early days of the state's history as part of the United States, the novel is among the leading ethical novels of the 19th century.
Participants found many links from Jackson's time to present-day conversations about racism and public policy, the growing awareness of the need to understand and redress the treatment of indigenous people in history, and ongoing dialogues about whose voices are heard, shared, and read (and which too often are not represented).
Links for further exploration that came up during the discussion include:
The writings of Carey McWilliams, such as North from Mexico: The Spanish-Speaking People of the United States and California: The Great Exception.
The recently-published book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.
Empire of Cotton: A Global History by Sven Beckert.
San Diego History Center's review of the book Helen Hunt Jackson and Her Indian Reform Legacy.
Boom California's article about Ramona and its legacy in the state.
In September, we will discuss Everything Under the Heavens: How the Past Helps Shape China's Push for Global Power by Howard W. French.
This book is in stock as of August 24 at our bookstore partner, Books Inc. Opera Plaza.
Save the date for Sunday, September 20!
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