History, the Diaspora, & Coasting Through Change

🤔 Thought of the Week:

I have been thinking more about being strategic in my nonfiction reading. This year, I have read various nonfiction books, but I would like to learn more about the countries in Africa and the Middle East. I have read about Ancient Egypt, two books on the Congo, and Palestine. The region is vast, and there is so much to learn. I also want to continue to learn about African American history. I am trying to find a way to follow my interest without becoming overwhelmed. I haven't established any rules to guide my reading. I also want to find corresponding documentaries. However, I worry about ensuring I have sufficient knowledge to identify the biases that may be present.

💻 What I've Consumed Recently:

Legacy of a Legend: "Taurasi" Documentary

As a basketball fan and former player, I’ve always admired players like Diana Taurasi. Her intensity and swag shaped who I was as a player, and I know I’m not alone. Diana Taurasi has become the standard for greatness in women’s basketball (although A'ja Wilson is on a mission to change that), especially in the WNBA. While some called her an "asshole," I saw her passion and love for the game. Her influence is undeniable, and the growth we see today is a testament to that.

Diana could have stayed overseas, making millions, but she felt a responsibility to the next generation. That responsibility is paying off now. Players like her, Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Cappie Pondexter, Sue Bird, and so many others, starting with the players in 1996, carried the league on their backs, ensuring it would thrive for future players. Because of their sacrifices, today’s players have more leverage and opportunities. Social media has allowed players to build their brands in college and transition seamlessly to the WNBA, something that wasn’t possible before. The W cannot use the same talking points in previous CBA negotiations in the current talks; the players understand this, but it does not seem that the league does. 

Watching the documentary, Taurasi reminded me of her incredible career. She played for 20 seasons, most of the league’s 28-year history. Players like her and Sue Bird retired on their own terms, passing the torch to the next generation. It’s now up to today’s players to carry the league forward, just as Diana and her peers did.

One surprising moment in the documentary was the discussion about the Paris Olympics. Diana never received communication from Cheryl Reeve or the coaching staff about not playing. Her experience and leadership could have been invaluable, especially in a close game where the U.S. team looked out of sorts. I remember watching and not understanding why the coaches did not put Taurasi in for a couple of minutes to settle everyone down.

If you love women’s basketball, Taurasi is a must-watch documentary. It’s a foundational documentary that helps us understand the history of the league and the legacy of one of its greatest players. Highly recommended.

The Good Nurse: Unraveling the Crimes of Charles Cullen

The Good Nurse is a true crime narrative nonfiction that delves into the life and crimes of Charles Cullen, a registered nurse implicated in the deaths of as many as 300 to 400 patients. Cullen’s murderous career spanned 16 years across nine hospitals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, arguably making him one of the most prolific serial killers in American history, even if he was not found guilty of nearly as many deaths as he was accused of. What sets Cullen apart from other prolific killers is his unassuming nature. He was celebrated as a caregiver, a quiet and dedicated nurse who willingly worked the shifts others avoided, especially the night shift and holidays. But beneath this facade lay a man who exploited systemic failures in healthcare to commit his crimes.

The book is a result of ten years of investigative journalism, meticulously piecing together Cullen’s story through police records, interviews, wiretap recordings, and conversations with Cullen himself. It also highlights the role of Amy, a confidential informant who played a pivotal role in bringing him to justice. I also watched the documentary, but it rehashed the exact details in the book. There is also a movie based on Cullen. What I find interesting about the existence of a book, documentary, and movie is that Cullen seemed not to crave notoriety after being placed in jail. 

One aspect of the story that stood out to me is the failure of hospitals to act. Instead of addressing discrepancies and unusual deaths, hospitals prioritized protecting themselves from financial and legal repercussions. Cullen’s employers often gave him neutral or even positive recommendations after firing him or pushing him to quit, allowing him to move from one hospital to another without any pushback. This mindset of placing profit over patient safety enabled Cullen to continue his crimes unchecked. Hospitals were more concerned about lawsuits than investigating suspicious patterns, putting the broader community at risk.

The book raises questions about how systemic issues in healthcare create environments that allow abuses to thrive. Hospitals, often driven by profit, may overlook in-depth investigations into unusual deaths to maintain their financial sustainability and standing in the community. To prevent such failures, states have implemented guardrails, such as laws requiring hospitals to report investigations into nurses and provide negative recommendations when warranted. This would not only hold hospitals accountable but also foster a culture of transparency and patient safety. It would also empower nurses to come forward with suspicions. 

The story also sheds light on the challenges faced by nurses who try to speak up. In Cullen’s case, hospital administrations often intimidated or bullied nurses into silence. This discouraged them from reporting concerns. A reporting obligation could empower nurses to voice their concerns without fear of retaliation. 

The Good Nurse was a thought-provoking read that exposes the dark side of healthcare systems. It’s a stark reminder of the need for systemic change to prioritize patient safety over profit. With its short chapters and engaging narrative, the book is a good read for true crime enthusiasts and anyone interested in healthcare reform. However, I did consider whether this book fell into the category of true crime that sensationalizes the crime and overlooks the victims. As I've moved away from true crime documentaries for this reason, I must consider whether this book has a similar effect. 

Reflections on Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Coates is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. His poetic prose and universal truths pull me in. In Between the World and Me, Coates writes to his young son delving into the realities of growing up Black in America, the pervasive fear that accompanies that experience, and the struggle to shield his son from those same fears. He then goes on to explore the vulnerability of the Black body, emphasizing how, despite efforts to protect it, a single moment can irrevocably alter a life. I thought the book was powerful and emotional. 

Coates critiques the notion of the "dreamer", which is a belief that America is the land of equal opportunity and that hard work guarantees success. One moment can strip privilege and reduce a person to being seen as another "Black threat". Coates recounts the story of a former classmate who, despite growing up in privilege, was killed by police officers who mistakenly perceived him as a threat. This narrative underscores the harsh truth that, for Black Americans, success and adherence to the "American Dream" offer no immunity from systemic racism.

My favorite quote is, "America believes itself exceptional, the greatest and noblest nation ever to exist, a lone champion standing between the white city of democracy and the terrorists, despots, barbarians, and other enemies of civilization. One cannot, at once, claim to be superhuman and then plead mortal error. I propose to take our countrymen's claims of American exceptionalism seriously, which is to say, I propose subjecting our country to an exceptional moral standard." I think it sums up the book's central argument. Coates challenges readers to confront reality and hold the nation to a higher moral standard. 

Coates does a great job of pushing me to reflect on my own privilege and identity. Coates doesn't provide definite answers to the questions he raises. Instead, he acknowledges that while systemic change is necessary, individual reckoning is equally important. The book reminds us that true freedom is collective; we aren’t free until all of us are free. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from Ta-Nehisi Coates, whose writing continues to inspire deep reflection on my place in the world.

Mixed Impressions of "Shogun"

Shogun by James Clavell is an epic historical fiction set in 1600s Japan. James Blackthorne, a ship pilot, and his crew survive a storm, only to end up taken hostage in Japan. There, Blackthorne tries to survive the impending war while being used as a pawn. He tries to take some control by learning the language and culture of his surroundings. I enjoyed the political maneuvers that were being made, building up to a war. It primarily explored the cultural differences, the struggle for power, and the conflict between different religions and philosophies.

• Main Characters:

Beware, there are so many characters named but quite a few of them come and go. These 3 were the center of the story. 

• Blackthorne - If failing up and being lucky were character traits, he embodied them. Even so, he was used as a pawn in a political game. He learns to adapt to Japanese culture. 
• Toranaga - A strategic leader trying to unite feudal Japan and become Shogun. He uses Blackthorne's knowledge of gun battles and ships to his benefit. 
• Mariko - Samurai woman, interpreter, and love interest to Blackthorne. She would bridge the worlds of Blackthorne and Toranaga. Her Christian faith and her duty as a samurai would conflict. I thought she was sometimes portrayed inconsistently. 
• What Worked for Me?
  • Political Maneuvering: The buildup to the war and the political intrigue were engaging. Particularly, Part II seemed to speed up in pacing and focused more on the politics. 
  • Cultural Exploration: The book delves into cultural differences, power struggles, and religious conflicts. Blackthorne was constantly in the middle of this. He was learning and comparing Japanese culture to his own. He was looking for some leverage throughout the story to benefit himself. The different types of Christians in this story did not attempt to understand one another. That was an interesting parallel to the cultural differences. 
  • Descriptive Settings: The worldbuilding was outstanding. Clavell’s detailed descriptions of locations and scenes were immersive.
• What Did Not Work for Me?
  • This book is very long. Parts I and II combined are over 1500 pages. With that came some pacing issues. Part I felt slow and meandering. 
  • Stereotypes: The portrayal of Japanese culture and characters sometimes felt stereotypical. While I don't believe the book utilized the white savior trope, it got close to that line. Some of the language choices seemed unnatural. 
  • Inconsistent Characters: Some characters, like Mariko, lacked consistency in their actions.
  • Weird Focus on Sex: The repeated emphasis on Blackthorn’s anatomy felt unnecessary and odd.
  • Unsatisfying Ending: After 1,500 pages, the ending fell flat, leaving key events off-page.

While Shogun has its strengths, it’s not without flaws. The pacing issues, stereotypes, and unsatisfying ending detract from the overall experience. It’s worth a read for historical fiction enthusiasts or those interested in Japanese culture, but be aware that it may not meet expectations.

Sistah Samurai: A Mixed Review

Sistah Samurai is an anime-inspired novella set in a feudal Japan-inspired world. I don't watch anime, but this reminded me of blaxploitation movies in its aesthetic but without the issues. This novella was a mixed bag for me, but it offered a unique blend of themes and styles that kept me engaged. The story is set on a single day, where Sistah Samurai steps out of her mundane routine to protect the town she feels duty-bound to, despite her reluctance. This leads her into confrontations with demons and a warlord. Sistah Samurai is a sassy, believable black samurai grappling with survivor's remorse, grief, and a demon who feeds her negative thoughts. I really enjoyed exploring how grief lingers and drains the psyche. The author relayed the action very well. I did not enjoy the demon's lengthy rant and felt it was overdone. It could have been trimmed to make room for more action.

I appreciated the blend of feudal Japan and black vibes, though the world-building took time to pull me in. Since I was reading Shogun, it took me a while to mentally adjust to the fact that the world was not set in modern times or in feudal Japan, but rather in an alternative universe. The revelation that the protagonist might not be the last samurai added depth to her character and the story. Overall, Sister Samurai is an easy read with some strong elements, though the novella format limited its potential for deeper exploration. I’m curious enough to dive into the second book, which promises more time to explore this world. 

📚 Currently Reading:

• 19% completed. Trials of Empire by Richard Swan picks up shortly after the events of book two. Swan's writing continues to be very engaging and clear. While there is some over-description of certain elements, the story has pulled me in the first 100 pages. The plot seems to be building momentum, and I'm eager to see how the story unfolds. 
• 39% completed. Africa Is Not a Country by Dipo Faloyin dismantles stereotypes about Africa, offering a nuanced view of the continent. Africa comprises 54 countries, over 2,000 languages, and 1.4 billion people. It is 4x the size of the USA. Of course, it discusses the Berlin Conference and how arbitrary borders often lead to conflicts. The book critiques the white savior complex using KONY 2012 and the song 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' to highlight how both of these strip the impacted African's of their agency and reinforce the stereotypes. I am at a part now where the author explores democracy and dictatorship, highlighting how Western powers prop up brutal regimes when it suits them and examining the fractures they leave behind. I believe this is an informative book and a good starting point for further exploring history across the diaspora. 

💡 Lessons Learned:

Staying silent is tempting. The government shutdown has been a time of reflection. I recognize that I am in a privileged position. I have saved for unexpected events, whether it's a shutdown, getting impacted by a reduction in force, or any other crisis. The privilege I have is not lost on me, especially as I navigate the complexities of the world and try to find my role in it and understand my personal politics. History has taught me that not everyone is a protester, an artist, or a person in the forefront, and that some people coast through change. I'm still figuring out my place, but I know I don't want to keep my head down and coast through. For now, my contribution looks like financially supporting groups on the ground, educating myself through historical books, making connections, and writing about these issues, even if only a handful of people read it. As my politics evolve, I am sure my involvement will as well.

If you need some recommendations, check out my Goodreads or StoryGraph. And then follow me on Instagram and Threads. One of my favorite newsletters to read for current events is Morning Brew. Check it out.