She would, she thought, base her book on the frank. Wabes valerie jackson, host of between the lines, speaks with michele norris during the recording of her radio program. In the wake of talk of a postracial america upon barack obamas ascension as president of the united states, michele norris, cohost of national public radios flagship program all things considered, set out to write, through original reporting, a book about the hidden conversation on race that is unfolding nationwide. Michele norris talked about her book, the grace of silence. I discovered this book while doing research on michele norris prior to attending michelle obamas becoming. I set out to write a book exploring americas hidden conversation about race but. Michele norris the grace of silence is the npr hosts memoir of how she learned the longburied secrets of her familys involvement in momentous historical events. Michele norris, host of national public radios all things considered, set out, through original reporting, to write a book about the hidden. Michele norris, cohost of nprs all things considered, has written more than a memoir in the grace of silence. Michele norris and the grace of silence humphrey school. I wish npr reporter michele norris hadnt called the grace of silence, her tribute to her parents, a memoir. But along the way she unearthed painful family secretsfrom her fathers. I had long loved listening to norris on npr, and i was thrilled to.
Nprs michele norris talked about her new book, the grace of silence, with minnesota public radios tom crann about the book. The grace of silence by michele norris, 9780307748911, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. She would, she thought, base her book on the frank disclosures of others on the subject, but she was soon disabused of her presumption when forced to confront. Michele norris reveals the grace of silence when michele norris set out to write a book about race in america, she uncovered a family secret. Michele norris on race, and the grace of silence in her new memoir, nprs all things considered cohost uncovers some painful family secrets. The questions, discussion topics, and reading suggestions that follow are intended to enhance your reading groups discussion of the grace of silence, michele norris s deeply personal memoir. Instead, he was driven by the need to reassure others that everything was going to be all right. The grace of silence, by michele norris, is a memoir about race and intimacy, told against the backdrop of an important phase of american history. The grace of silence by michele norris read by alibris. The grace of silence by michele norris reading guide. In the book she turns her formidable interviewing and investigative skills on her own background to unearth long hidden family secrets that raise questions about her racial legacy and shed new light on.
Extraordinary for norris s candor in examining her own racial legacy and what it means to be an american, the grace of silence is also informed by rigorous research in its evocation of time and place, scores of interviews with ordinary folk, and wise observations about evolving attitudes, at once encouraging and disturbing, toward race in. She wanted to examine the complex, thorny reality of race and class through the prism of her family. The grace of silence by michele norris chapter one. The grace of silence wisconsin public library consortium.
I hope the grace of silence encourages people to think about their own complex family legacies and to consider a core question. Michele norris the grace of silence part 1 of 3 youtube. The book is interesting and informative from beginning to end. This memoir describes the experience of the norrises as the first black family on the block in a south minneapolis neighborhood. Michele norris set out to take a reporters look at the unprecedented, hidden, and robust conversation about race taking place across the country in the wake of barack obamas historic presidential campaign and his ascension to office. In the wake of talk of a postracial america upon barack oba. Michele norris, host of national public radios all things considered, set out, through original reporting, to write a book about the hidden conversation on race that is going on in this country. Her voice informs, engages and enlightens listeners with thoughtful. Michele norris the grace of silence part 3 of 3 youtube. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel.
The grace of silence npr radio host michele norris raises questions of race as she explores the secrets kept by her midwestern family. Michele norris is one of the most trusted voices in american journalism. In the wake of talk of a postracial america upon barack obamas ascension as president of the united states, michele norris, cohost of national public radios flagship program all things considered, set out to write, through original reporting, a book about the. My idea was to use these little black postcards to get the conversation started. But the quest to discover these truths proved her most difficult assignment. In the book she turns her formidable interviewing and investigative skills on her own background to unearth long hidden family secrets that raise questions about her racial legacy and shed new light on americas complicated racial history. But i quickly realized once i hit the road on my book tour that i didnt really need that.
Daddy my father was one of those people who are most comfortable at the fringes, away from the action center stage. My parents were postal workers who took pride in simple things. The book is the grace of silence by minneapolis native and national public radio host michele norris. Its a family history and a family mystery combined, set against the evils of jim crow alabama post world war ii and subtler forms of racism in minnesota. Michele norris is the creator and curator of the peabody awardwinning race card project, an initiative to foster a wider conversation about race in america that she created after the publication. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by. The grace of silence is sometimes raw, often gripping, and always graceful. While exploring the hidden conversation on race unfolding throughout america in the wake of president obamas election, michele norris discovered. Buy the grace of silence by michele norris read by online at alibris. Her examination of her familys racial perceptions focused on her maternal grandmothers short career as. Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our pro connect email alert.
How well do we really know the people who raised us. In her absorbing new memoir, the grace of silence, journalist michele norris cohost of nprs all things considered explores race within her family history while tracing its complex legacy. Norris s personal story reveals fascinating truths about race in america plus. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The grace of silence by michele norris penguin random house. In the wake of talk of a postracial america upon the ascendance of. Buy the grace of silence unabridged by michele norris isbn. I hope the grace of silence encourages people to think about their own. In the wake of talk of a postracial america upon the ascendance of barack obama as president of the united states, michele norris, host of national public radios all things considered, set out, through original reporting, to write a book about the hidden conversation on race that is going on in this country.