A new Community Read Committee is hosting a children's and adults’ bookclub to teach about anti-racism and continue the conversation begun at local protests in response to the murder of George Floyd and other victims of racial injustice.  

The adult group will read “How to be Anti-Racist” by Ibram X. Kendi, and children over the age of 12 will read “Stamped: Racism, Anti-racism and You.”

Interested participants are asked to borrow or purchase a copy of the book(s) and to join the new Facebook Group “Tri-Town and Beyond Community Read” on or before Aug. 1. Updates and discussion questions will be posted here.

On Aug. 27 — the  “halfway point”— committee members will host Zoom conversations to share questions, thoughts, and ideas that arise in response to the read. ORCTV will televise the conversations. The community read will culminate with an in-person panel discussion in September, with a venue to be determined. All participants are welcome and social distancing will be observed.

Community Read co-sponsors are: the Mattapoisett Museum, Mattapoisett Free Public Library, Tri-Town Against Racism group, YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts, Elizabeth Taber Library, and the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library in Rochester.

The Tri-Town libraries have ordered extra hard copies of the books, and have e-books available. For financial assistance in purchasing a copy, call or text Stacie Hess at (508) 524-5773. For questions, contact Stacie.CharbonneauHess@bristolcc.edu.