Books That Matter: Exploring Books for Social Justice

Hey there! I’m Bita, a book lover with a passion for social change. This blog is about sharing books on social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

I’m building an archive of these books—for myself to refer back to, and for others to explore. 

Popular posts from this blog

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Pérez is a groundbreaking examination of the systemic gender data gap that permeates various aspects of society. The book reveals how the default male perspective in data collection and analysis leads to biases that disadvantage women in multiple domains, including healthcare, technology, and urban planning. Through extensive research and case studies, Criado Pérez illustrates the tangible consequences of this data bias on women's lives. Author : Caroline Criado Pérez Publisher : Chatto & Windus (UK), Abrams (US) First Edition : 2019 Chapter Summaries Chapter 1: The Default Male Criado Pérez introduces the concept of the "default male," explaining how societal norms and historical data collection have centred men as the standard, rendering women as atypical. This male-centric view has been so deeply embedded that it often goes unquestioned, leading to systemic biases. "The result of this deeply male-dominated culture is that th...
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The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America

The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King offers a thought-provoking perspective on the history and experiences of Native people in North America. Through a mix of humor and critical analysis, King challenges stereotypes and misconceptions while highlighting the resilience of Indigenous communities. Author: Thomas King Publisher: Doubleday Canada First Edition: 2012 Chapter Summaries Chapter 1: The Invisible Indian King starts by discussing how Native people are often rendered invisible in mainstream narratives. He critiques the portrayal of Indigenous cultures in popular media and how these representations contribute to misunderstandings. "Indians are like ghosts: you hear about them, but you never see them." "The real challenge is not to remember the past but to face the present." "The stories we tell shape our reality." Chapter 2: The Historical Context This chapter dives into the historical events that have shaped Indigenous experiences, including col...
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Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire is a seminal work that critiques traditional education systems and presents a transformative approach to teaching and learning. Freire emphasizes the importance of dialogue and critical consciousness in liberating oppressed individuals and fostering social change. Author: Paulo Freire Publisher: Continuum First Edition: 1970 Chapter Summaries Chapter 1: The Banking Model of Education Freire introduces the concept of the "banking model," where students are treated as passive recipients of knowledge. This method reinforces oppression by limiting critical thinking and creativity. "Education thus becomes an act of depositing, in which the students are the depositories and the teacher is the depositor." "The teacher teaches and the students are taught. The teacher is the Subject of the learning process, while the pupils are mere objects." "The capability of the oppressed to wage the struggle for their redemptio...
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