Nonfiction: South to America by Imani Perry

Being a native of Texas, and with family all over the state, as well as scattered in parts of Alabama and Florida, it felt natural to be drawn to a book that explores the history of the southern part of the U.S. In South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of the Nation by Imani Perry, it is not only the history of the south that is explored, but also its link to our understanding of what it means to be American.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book in which the author focuses on both specific as well as general areas of the southern U.S, looking at both the history of and her own personal experiences with each location. Perry begins with Appalachia, continues through Alabama and the Black Belt, and concludes the book in the Bahamas and Havana. Across three sections, 17 chapters, and a conclusion, Perry takes a deep look at the history we know, the history most of us do not know, what everyday life is like for some of the local residents, and how her own story and family have been affected by the areas. Since the American South has center stage, slavery and racism stay at the front of the discussion, but so do economics, class, politics, education, and the arts. 

My Verdict: This book is certainly worth reading, but there are some readers that are going to have a hard time. Perry takes subjects that are obviously difficult, acknowledges those difficulties, and then pushes forward anyway. None of the chapters follow a script, but they are all eye-opening and interesting, and they never read like the history out of a textbook (which is kind of the point). Stories we have all heard before are presented in a new and different light, and with better and more engaging details. Perry's personal stories not only allow for a different point of view, but also allow for a different kind of engagement from the reader, if that makes sense. And as another woman of color who often travels alone, I can appreciate the adventures she often finds when making her way through an unfamiliar city. Also, those who love a good deep dive into seemingly random subjects will appreciate this book. 

Favorite Chapter: Though I have never been to the Bahamas or Cuba, I loved the final chapter "Paraiso: The Bahamas and Havana."

Favorite Quote: "Of course the lost-cause narratives of 'happy slaves' on plantations were false. But it is true that the culture made by enslaved people insisted upon joy. It was not a naive childish satisfaction. No, it was, it is, the joy of a voice that could soar one moment and growl the next, giggle and holler. It's the joy of dancing in a whip-scarred, food-deprived, achy body. The joy of love, of the binding between souls across the borders of flesh and the rules of society. It was a refusal to be rendered entirely in the image of White Americans, even when completely beaten down." - from "Soul of the South: The Black Belt"

Recommended Reading: I recommend Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson every chance I get, so I am doing so again now.