The Better Human Book Club

Here at C5 Studios we recognize that there are a lot of pertinent issues and challenges surrounding us as humans today and that many of us are feeling called to action to learn, unlearn and do what we can to contribute to positive change.  We also know that it can be overwhelming and intimidating knowing where to begin and doing this work alone or in isolation.

The Better Human Book Club is a book club with a difference!  We steer our choice of books to cover issues including racism, nature connection, social justice, environmentalism, parenting, wellness and anything else that we feel called to grapple with as a group in our quest to become better humans.  Where possible, our intention is to explore both nonfiction and fiction sources as part of our investigation of the issues at hand, allowing ourselves to dive into the issues both intellectually and emotionally, led by both academic texts and the stories that transport us into a more vivid, embodied experience of the subject.  We will invite the sharing and exploration of poetry, song and art that reflect perspectives and offer insights within our investigations.  

A wonderful benefit of taking part in a group like this with a local base is that we can support and encourage one another and together create a more engaged, connected and conscious community around us!

We launched The Better Human Book Club in August 2020 with a focus on challenging and dismantling racism.  We are aware that the issues and challenges humanity faces, locally and globally, affect Black and Indigenous People and People of Color disproportionately, so a focus on racial justice felt like a profoundly important place to start. 

Our last book of choice was Natives by Akala.

From the first time he was stopped and searched as a child, to the day he realized his mother was white, to his first encounters with racist teachers - race and class have shaped Akala's life and outlook. In this unique book he takes his own experiences and widens them out to look at the social, historical and political factors that have left us where we are today.

Covering everything from the police, education and identity to politics, sexual objectification and the far right, Natives speaks directly to British denial and squeamishness when it comes to confronting issues of race and class that are at the heart of the legacy of Britain's racialized empire.

Natives is the searing modern polemic and Sunday Times bestseller from the BAFTA and MOBO award-winning musician and political commentator, Akala. Natives was SHORTLISTED FOR THE JAMES TAIT BLACK PRIZE | THE JHALAK PRIZE | THE BREAD AND ROSES AWARD & LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE FOR POLITICAL WRITING

To see Akala in conversation about British Imperialism check out THIS VIDEO

Details:

• We are thrilled to be able to hold our meetings in person, but we also offer the option of joining via Zoom.

• The Better Book Club Meetings for Natives by Akala are as follows -

  • Session 1: Friday, April 9th, 2021 5pm - 6.30pm

  • Session 2: Friday, April 23rd, 2021 5pm - 6.30pm

• This Book Club is donation-based and registration is required to attend the sessions for each book.  If you are able to make a donation please do, but also know that we will not turn anyone away due to lack of payment.

• We are actively seeking sponsorship of this program and donations to ensure we can make is accessible to all who are interested. If you are interested in supporting this program please reach out to us at contact@c5studios.org  

• Registration is now open for joining us on Friday, April 9th and Friday, April 23rd. Register below!

• You can share YOUR suggestions for topics, issues or specific books HERE!