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Are you looking to learn about social justice? What are the best social justice books for you to read?
These are some of the best social justice books out there, though certainly not the only ones. You can use these books to learn about social justice issues such as race, gender, the criminal justice system, and more.
Keep reading for a list of the best social justice books.
Best Social Justice Books
This list of the best social justice books includes seven amazing books about social issues and equality. They’re all nonfiction, and some are memoirs. Using a memoir to discuss social issues can be an effective way to convey a message and include personal stakes.
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
The New Jim Crow discusses how the U.S. moved from slavery to Jim Crow to mass incarceration. Author Michelle Alexander provides historical and sociological understanding to mass incarceration. The book has become a must-read for anyone interested in racial justice and one of the best social justice books out there.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
This New York Times bestseller details the life and legacy of a woman named Henrietta Lacks, a poor tobacco farmer whose cells were taken without her knowledge and used in research for some of the most incredible medical advancements of our time. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks takes on many social issues including race, medicine, poverty, and bioethics.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Born a Crime chronicles the life of The Daily Show host Trevor Noah went from apartheid South Africa to hosting one of the most popular shows of all time. Noah, who was born to a Black mother and white father, was kept mostly inside in his early life, since his very existence was proof of his parents’ crime. But as he got older and laws changed, Trevor Noah set out to find his path.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Written as a letter to his teenaged son, Between the World and Me is a bestseller and a must-read for anyone interested in social justice. Through brilliant and heartfelt writing, Coates addresses the issues facing Black America, and what it means for his son’s future. Though it’s part memoir told in a letter, this book is still one of the best social justice books you can read.
Educated by Tara Westover
Tara Westover’s astounding memoir details her childhood with survivalist parents. She was homeschooled and isolated, and the family didn’t believe in modern medicine. Through lucky awakenings and determination, Tara’s desire for education gets her to college and beyond. Along the way, she faces hard decisions about everything she’s ever known—including her family.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi’s Adichie’s famous TED talk turned essay is noted for bringing awareness and inclusion to issues facing feminism today. Drawing on both sociological ideas and her own personal experiences, the book conveys an empathetic and intelligent stance on modern feminism.
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow
Journalist Ronan Farrow digs into the dark world of Hollywood secrets, leading him to reveal one of the most high-profile sexual assault cases of all time. In Catch and Kill Farrow uncovers a world of elites, secrets, and highly paid cover-ups, revealing not only the crimes but the systems in place that the powerful used to avoid accountability.
This list of the best social justice books is just the beginning of your education. Keep reading.
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