Durham Reads Together
The Best of Enemies:
Race and Redemption
in the New South

The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South was our choice for programming and reading with the community for Durham Reads Together 2019. Programming was developed for adults, children, and teens around this pivotal Durham story. Children (and parents) were treated to a Social Justice Storytime at North Regional Library. Teens were given the opportunity to participate in a poetry workshop in partnership with Blackspace Poet Mariah M. Author Osha Gray Davidson could not have been nicer or more generous with his time and comments during his live discussion with Leoneda Inge at the Hayti Heritage Center. Bringing these wonderful community partners together made for a very special evening with 130 folks attending.

Overall, we provided 12 programs, with a total attendance of approximately 340. This included one program with our partners at Durham Tech. Librarian and committee member Julie Humphrey invited documentarian Diane Bloom, who facilitated a discussion following the screening of her film, An Unlikely Friendship. There were about 50 folks in attendance, and among them was C.P. Ellis’ daughter, who kindly shared personal stories with us and with the audience.

One touching moment arrived when a new library staff member found me at South Regional Library and let me know how thrilled she was at our selection — she had known Ann Atwater personally from growing up in her influence. She told me that “Ms. Ann” was who everyone went to and reported good grades and other milestones. We were both nearly in tears as she remembered how respected she was in Durham.

Also, one book club attendee told a library staff member that she struggled to read the book (years ago) as it brought back so many bad memories of segregation. However, she was glad she did as the discussion helped her heal.