That's So Library!

by Glenice Lilje

A Change Has Got to Come

In the last few years, we have seen an uptick of social justice and climate change warriors.  We have witnessed school aged children walk out and strike with Greta Thunberg, pressuring their local politicians for a change.  The Black Lives Matter movement wanting justice and equality for the Black community. We have also witnessed an agricultural crisis in India as farmers unions and leaders fight for unfair laws that do not protect them from private companies seeking to pay them less. At first glance, these protests may not seem to have much in common, but if we get to the crux of them, we can see that they are intrinsically intertwined.

Let’s take a look and one example. Changes in weather impacts water resources which in turn affects the food supply, health, and transportation to name a few.  The inability to access these basic human needs mostly affect vulnerable communities. These communities happen to be primarily made up of people of colour. It’s almost like a domino effect watching as one issue trickles down and branches off affecting many groups and denying them of simple resources that one needs to survive.

Whether or not you follow these causes closely, it’s fair to say that a lot of global citizens are hoping for a change.  The pandemic has opened our eyes to several inequalities resulting in many activists seeking reform from their governments either on the front lines, writing letters to their elected officials or just spreading the word on social media.  We can look to our past and learn from our mistakes or be doomed to repeat them again.  Mahatma Gandhi quotes, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change toward him.”

 Don’t know where to start?  Your nearest library is a great place for helpful resources.  Here are a few to get you started:

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore, 2018.

In this readable history of the United States, American historian Jill Lepore encompasses most everything from Columbus to Trump. The author narrates major events such as The Revolution, Civil War, both World Wars, the Vietnam War, 9/11, etc.  She also highlights the importance of slavery and women in the roles they played to help shape the nation yet are absent in founding documentation. Lepore’s progressive viewpoint also brings a refreshing take on studying the mistakes of our past to “unlock the prison of the present” while noting the ever continuing debates about guns, abortion and race. Although the author only provides the reader with quick glimpses into the past, Lepore ensures to discuss the ironies and contradictions such as the fact that America was founded on the promise of liberty and independence while practicing slavery and taking over Native American lands.

What Can I Do?  My Path from Climate Despair to Action by Jane Fonda, 2020

“This is the last possible moment in history when changing course can mean saving lives and species on an unimaginable scale.  It’s too late for moderation.” – Jane Fonda

In the fall of 2019, a frustrated Jane Fonda moved to Washington, D.C. to lead thousands of people in weekly climate change protests on Capitol Hill.  In What Can I Do? My Path from Climate Despair to Action, Fonda recounts her personal journey as an activist, shares her conversations with leading climate scientists and inspiring community organizers. Readers will also be presented with data pertaining to other environmental issues such as water, migration and human rights. This book equips the reader with the tools needed to join Fonda in protest with hopes of combating the climate crisis.

Poisoning the Pacific:  The US Military’s Secret Dumping of Plutonium, Chemical Weapons, and Agent Orange by Jon Mitchell, 2020.

Unbeknownst to most, the US Military has been contaminating the Pacific with many toxic substances.  From WW2 to the present, plutonium, dioxin and VX nerve agent, are some of the toxins that have been dumped into the Pacific region causing harmful effects to hundreds of thousands service members, families, residents and of course, the marine population.  Poisoning the Pacific…. reveals the degree of the pollution and mishandling the US Military has caused and the extent to which the Pentagon has gone to conceal it.  Poisoning the Pacific… is a must-read for anyone that is concerned about the impact of US wars, weapon testing, training and daily military training has on the climate and environment.

Available in ebook format.

by Jarrett Seto

I’ve been enamoured by magical realism since first reading One Hundred Years of Solitude on the banks of the Bow River in Alberta. The genre tells a tale in a manner that you’d hear 5 years ago, 50 years ago, or 5000 years ago, sitting around a fire in a dark wood. The fantastical elements are timeless and may be as ancient as the tradition of storytelling itself. Primordial romanticism is the emotion you experience when you’re deeply immersed in a work of magical realism. There’s a sense of wanderlust, of a semi-mythical journey of physical or emotional distance, and a sense of deep rooted familiarity, like we’ve got the stories embedded in our DNA. They’ve been told a thousand times before, but at the same time, they’re completely new and one of a kind.

She Would Be King By Wayétu Moore (2019)

In She Would Be King, experience the formative years of Liberia through the eyes of interesting characters, who happen to discover that they’ve also awoken exceedingly unique powers. Think of them as proto-feminist superheroes, existing in a nation built by former enslaved people from the United States and the Caribbean. Each of the three main characters represent a person from a corner of the transatlantic slave trade. Riveting action and allegory combine in what one could call an elevated intersectional-historical-magical realism masterpiece. Bringing colonial history to life without shying away from its brutalities, Moore manages to captivate you with the strength of her characters.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto By Mitch Albom (2016)

Six magical blue strings and one guitarist can make a whole lot of change. Frankie is born under a bad sign, escaping Spanish bombs(Oo-ooh child, things are gonna get easier), but he’s the cream of his generation and he’s no pressed rat and warthog about it. One might call him a rambler, or a gambler, a long way from home, or one of the children of the revolution. He makes records, and he might not be playing your song but he changes (turn and face the strange) people’s lives. He carries that weight well, and you’ll enjoy following him on his long and winding road through the Twentieth Century. By the time he gets to Woodstock, he’s been working 9 to 5 as a musician. Whether he’s sittin’ on the dock of the bay or cutting green onions, you’re bound for a magical mystery tour. The way he travels (whether on country roads or Misty Mountain hopping) reminds me of Joni Mitchell’s Coyote, “A prisoner of the white lines on the freeway.” Albom’s love of music resonates through each page, and the writing’s as vivid as a Waterloo Sunset. Frankie’s not one to relax, that’s for sure.

I’ll give you a dollar if you can name all of the musical references above.

Ka: Dar Oakley in the ruin of Ymr By John Crowley (2017)

Meet Dar Oakley, the first crow with a name. Dar’s been around for thousands of years, and has travelled the globe, from Ireland to the land of the dead. He’s acquired knowledge that may be of paramount importance to humanity, and thankfully he’s met a human who’s happened to learn crow (which, in a humourous twist, is said to have regional dialects – check out 12 Fascinating Facts About Crows | Mental Floss). Vivid and graceful writing will entice you to keep reading this book about the finite nature of mortality and the immortality of stories. The concepts are heavy but the writing is the word version of strolling through an orchard lined with tropical plants and colourful wildflowers.

by Glenice Lilje

The Immigrant Experience

My family moved to Canada in the early 1990’s when I was but the wee age of 10.  We stayed with family in the beginning and didn’t know too many people outside of our circle.  Classmates at school had difficulty pointing out the Philippines on the map but had an eagerness to learn more about my heritage and didn’t shy away from asking question. Adjusting to a new country and way of life was difficult at first, even lonely at times.  Slowly, our community grew as well as our social circles and in turn, so did the level of support we received.

Sure, there were times where I still felt like my sister and I stuck out, especially during lunchtime when we would bring dinner leftovers of fried fish and rice while everyone else had PB & J’s. I still remember having to ask friends to take their shoes off when entering my house or explaining the various religious statues on display.  I had different personas where I would be a one person when I was with my family and another when I was at school or around friends. It wasn’t that I was embarrassed of my culture, which was hardly the case, it was just my sister and I wanted so badly to fit in.

Looking back now, I would hardly say that my experience was unique.  Like many other immigrant families who come to Canada, we were in search of more opportunities and for a new way of life. As a newcomer, it made it difficult to realize which cultures I identified with and how my “labels” would fit in with society.  Today, we are fortunate that Canada is a melting pot of many diverse ethnicities and communities where different cultures are welcomed and celebrated. Regardless of the hardships and obstacles we faced when we first moved to Canada, I am forever grateful to my parents for leaving everything they knew so that my sister and I are able to enjoy the life we have built for ourselves today.

Here are some titles of other stories similar to mine:

Chop Suey Nation:  The Legion Café and Other Stories from Canada’s Chinese Restaurants by Ann Hui, 2019.

Ever wonder why there is a Chinese restaurant in every small town? Author Anna Hui took a drive across Canada to find out why and ended up learning so much more.  Hui grew up in Vancouver but had always wondered about small-town Chinese restaurants and the families who run them.  It was only after this book was published that she came to know that her own parents could have been included in her story.  Like many of the owners, her family spent generations living in impoverished areas of China and moved to Canada for more opportunities. By the end of her trip, Hui comes to learn and appreciate the perseverance, entrepreneurialism and deep love of family that drives these owners, her parents included, have to make a better life, the significance of these restaurants in our country’s history and why chop suey cuisine should be recognized as quintessentially Canadian.

We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib, 2020.

Samra Habib’s coming of age story recounts her childhood as an Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan, hiding from Islamic extremists, seeking refuge in Canada where her and family face new and different obstacles. When Samra discovers that her mother has arranged for her to get married, she must hide her identity again until she can’t take in any longer.  So begins her journey to find herself first in Tokyo, where she comes to terms with her sexuality, and then to a queer-friendly mosque in Toronto.  Along the way, she uncovers others with similar life experiences and that she wasn’t as unique as she thought she was: her community had always been there-the world just wasn’t ready for them.

The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho, 2014.

The story of a young Spanish shepherd boy, Santiago, who longs to fulfill his dream to see the world and the many lessons he learns along the way.  Throughout the story, Santiago meets many people who help him achieve his “Personal Legend” and teach him to read the “signs” or “omens” the universe provides to help him on his quest. What starts off as a journey to visit and see new places ends up being a discovery of the powers we hold within. This book provides a charming and inspiration message to follow your heart and with some ambition, everyone has the potential to recognize and achieve their own personal dreams.

by Glenice Lilje

Content warning:  sexual assault, murder victims, racism, MMIWG, domestic violence/abuse

Stats Canada states that more than 11 million Canadians have been physically or sexually assaulted since the age of 15. Women are victimized at a higher rate (37 incidents per 1000 women) but unfortunately, only about 5% of sexual assaults are reported to police[1].  Family violence account for 25% of all violent crimes with 70% of family violence victims being women or girls.[2] Sadly, only 30% of affected women report to the police. For decades, Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or later found murdered. So why is there high evidence of incidences yet low reporting rates?

Some victims may feel like their voices may not be heard or feel powerless to the support systems that are intended to help them.  They may feel ashamed, embarrassed or afraid that they may get someone in trouble. Others may not have access to services or don’t know how to reach out. However, there are a small few who have found a way to share their pain, trauma and their suffering.  The titles displayed below are stories shared from survivors and from those who helped amplify their voices.

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott, 2019.

Alicia Elliott provides a personal glimpse into the treatment of Native people in North America. The intimate detailing of intergenerational trauma stemming from colonialism, sexual assault, poverty, mental health and gentrification of Indigenous communities. Interweaving the past and the present as well as the personal and the political, Elliott uses her personal experiences and others to display how systemic oppression has and is still affecting Native communities. In A Mind Spread Out on the Ground, Alicia Elliott hopes readers will think more critically about how they got to where they are and that people aren’t always the result of their own actions

Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing Women and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls by Jessica McDiarmid, 2019.

Highway 16 is an isolated segment of highway that runs along northwestern British Columbia, also known as the “Highway of Tears”.  It is so named as hundreds of Indigenous women and girls in this area have gone missing or later found murdered for many, many decades.  Journalist, Jessica McDiarmid, interviews the devastated families and communities of these victims and investigates how this could happen in an area that is over-policed yet under-protected.  McDiarmid shares this powerful story about the continuing failure to provide justice for the victims and serves as a tribute to their families and communities’ unrelenting determination to find it.

No Visible Bruises:  What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us by Rachel Louise Snyder, 2019.

Did you know that more than 50 women in America die every month from domestic abuse? If this tragedy is so prevalent, why isn’t it being treated like a national emergency? In No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know about Domestic Violence Can Kill Us, journalist Rachel Louise Snyder, educates the reader on the true scope of domestic violence and how it goes beyond bruises and broken bones.  Snyder claims the indifference toward domestic violence trickles down from top levels of society where victims are made to feel ashamed and that they should simply leave their home if they are abused. Through stories of victims, perpetrators, law enforcements and reform movements, the author explores the outdated idea of what goes on behind closed doors is no one’s business is and that society’s ignorance has allowed these dangerous patterns to carry on unchecked.

CRIAW Fact Sheet: Violence against Women in Canada (Short Version)

[1] Www150.statcan.gc.ca. 2017. Gender-based violence and unwanted sexual behaviour in Canada, 2018: Initial findings from the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces. [online] Available at: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2019001/article/00017-eng.htm.

[2] Cwhn.ca. 2021. Domestic violence in Canada. [online] Available at: https://cwhn.ca/en/Resources/domesticviolence#:~:text=%20Domestic%20violence%20in%20Canada%20%201%2025,This%20was%20most%20often%20the%20case…%20More%20.

by Glenice Lilje

Have you ever heard the expressions, the “Sunday Scaries” or that someone has “the case of the Mondays”?  Have you been working from home and dread the return of the daily commute? Purchased a lottery ticket in hopes of breaking free from your 9 -5 routine?  You’re not alone. There are many times where I have caught myself staring out the window, or wished I had a job that required me to travel. Although I long for a break in my predictable work schedule, changes can be daunting. Sure, I may complain about the monotony, but if I am being honest, I am nowhere ready to become my own boss take a little comfort in knowing what my work week is going to look like. But for some people working 9-5 Monday to Friday doesn’t fit their lifestyles or they find that they are most productive with a more flexible schedule.  Though we can’t always be our own bosses, but we do have some control over our work environment.

Think back when the pandemic was first declared.  People had to rearrange their whole lives and figure out a way to work from home, or attend school from home, and some had to become their children’s teacher while also trying to meet project deadlines. The lines between work and home became blurred and “day pajamas” entered our vocabulary. Some people lost their jobs all together and had to either figure something else out or apply for government assistance.  But if you think about, it was scary, it was awkward, but it was manageable.  The pandemic also provided time to take a step back to reassess and sometimes needing to readjust.  For me, I wanted to put my mental health and job satisfaction at the forefront and sought resources to make my work day better. I wasn’t ready to become my own boss, but as I awkwardly navigated through the pandemic, I have been listening to myself more and made a promise to continuously reassess and adapt.

Below are some materials that suggests ways to change up the work week, vamp up your work environment or provide you with some insights to help revise your outlook and/or career goals.

Sustaining Workforce Engagement: How to Ensure Your Employees are Healthy, Happy and Productive by Lonnie Wilson, 2019.

This book explains the importance of employee engagement is for your business, how it can be achieved and how to sustain it.  Lonnie Wilson takes a look into the psychological, emotional and social forces that inspires employees to become engaged and create a happy and productive workforce.  Provided are ways to measure engagement, suggestions for management to help achieve or improve it, and why people can try so hard to create a fully engaged workforce with the best intentions yet still fall short.  The author includes a critical and comprehensive series of discussions, looks into scholarly theories, shares experiences to help explain the mystery of achieving engagement. For Wilson, it ultimately all boils down to whether or not people are prepared for change.

No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings, 2020.

Netflix first started in 1997 as a mail-in DVD subscription-based service. Since then, it has exploded globally as a well-known content platform and production company.  No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention follows founder and co-CEO, Reed Hastings, and his detailing of how Netflix created and evolved its corporate culture which fosters and environment of employee “freedom and responsibility”. This book may act as a step-by-step guide of how Hastings has restructured the typical business model and how it has helped form the basis for Netflix’s exponential growth and category-dominating position it holds today.