I Am Nobody&rsquo\;s Slave \;tells the story of one Black family's pursuit of the American Dream through the imp acts of systemic racism and racial violence. This book examines how trauma from enslavement and Jim Crow shaped their outlook on thriving in America \, influenced each generation\, and how they succeeded despite these chall enges.
\nTo their suburban Minnesotan neighbors\, the Hawkinses were an ideal American family\, embodying strength and success. However\, behi nd closed doors\, they faced the legacy of enslavement and apartheid. Lee Hawkins\, Sr. often exhibited rage\, leaving his children anxious and curi ous about his protective view of the world. Thirty years later\, his son u ncovered the reasons for his father&rsquo\;s anxiety and occasional violen ce. Through research\, he discovered violent deaths in his family for ever y generation since slavery\, mostly due to white-on-Black murders\, and ho w white enslavers impacted the family&rsquo\;s customs.
\nHawkins ex plores the role of racism-triggered childhood trauma and chronic stress in shortening his ancestors' lives\, using genetic testing\, reporting\, and historical data to craft a moving family portrait. This book shows how ge nealogical research can educate and heal Americans of all races\, revealin g through their story the story of America&mdash\;a journey of struggle\, resilience\, and the heavy cost of ultimate success. Register today to joi n the conversation!
\nClick here for a list of Lee Hawkin's books \;at t he Oakville Public Library. \;
\nAbout the Author
\nLEE HAWKINS was a 2022 Pulitzer Prize finalist as a lead report er on a series about the Tulsa Massacre of 1921 at the \;Wall Street J ournal\, where he worked for nineteen years. He has received several fello wships\, including The Carter Center&rsquo\;s Rosalynn Carter Fellowship f or Mental Health Journalism\, the Alicia Patterson Foundation Journalism F ellowship\, the O&rsquo\;Brien Fellowship for Public Service Journalism\, the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism National Fellowship for rep orting on child well-being. Hawkins is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists&rsquo\; &ldquo\;Salute to Excellence&rdqu o\; Award. He is the creator and host of the podcast &ldquo\;What Happened in Alabama?&rdquo\; and lives in the New York City area.
\nThe views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent . Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endor sement or recommendation by Oakville Public Library.
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