Listen free for 30 days
-
I'm Still Here
- Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
- Narrated by: Austin Channing Brown
- Length: 3 hrs and 54 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
I'm Still Here
Buy Now for $14.57
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • From a leading voice on racial justice, an eye-opening account of growing up Black, Christian, and female that exposes how white America’s love affair with “diversity” so often falls short of its ideals.
“Austin Channing Brown introduces herself as a master memoirist. This book will break open hearts and minds.”—Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Untamed
Austin Channing Brown’s first encounter with a racialized America came at age seven, when she discovered her parents named her Austin to deceive future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Austin writes, “I had to learn what it means to love blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion.
In a time when nearly every institution (schools, churches, universities, businesses) claims to value diversity in its mission statement, Austin writes in breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our attempts at racial justice. Her stories bear witness to the complexity of America’s social fabric—from Black Cleveland neighborhoods to private schools in the middle-class suburbs, from prison walls to the boardrooms at majority-white organizations.
For listeners who have engaged with America’s legacy on race through the writing of Ta-Nehisi Coates and Michael Eric Dyson, I’m Still Here is an illuminating look at how white, middle-class, Evangelicalism has participated in an era of rising racial hostility, inviting the reader to confront apathy, recognize God’s ongoing work in the world, and discover how blackness—if we let it—can save us all.
What the critics say
“Powerful...Brown calls on readers to live their professed ideals rather than simply state them.” (Publishers Weekly)
"What a stunning debut from a seasoned racial justice leader. Austin does double duty by fiercely affirming blackness while simultaneously unveiling and demystifying the subtle effects of white supremacy among Christians. I trust Austin, I listen to Austin and I learn from Austin. I hope you will too." (Christena Cleveland, professor at Duke University and author of Disunity in Christ)
"The movement toward diversity and forgiveness, [Brown] points out, too often involves white people seeking credit for recognizing the crimes of the past even as they do nothing to fix things today, and black people being required to provide endless absolution and information while calmly enduring dignity-eroding and rage-inducing injustices." (Library Journal)
"Brown passionately rejects facile reliance on 'hope', stating that 'in order for me to stay in this work, hope must die' and '[t]he death of hope gives way to a sadness that heals, to anger that inspires, to a wisdom that empowers me.' An eloquent argument for meaningful reconciliation focused on racial injustice rather than white feelings." (Booklist)
More from the same
What listeners say about I'm Still Here
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrea Humphries
- 2018-09-18
Essential reading for racial reconciliation
Austin Channing Brown's wonderful narration of her poignant and pointed book made it a pleasure to listen to, even as her words prodded and challenged me. From "White people can be exhausting," the book's brilliant opening line, right through until the very end she had my full attention. I'll be recommending this one for the forseeable future. #Audible1
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Olivia Jayne Schultz
- 2018-11-02
Beautiful
This book was heart-wrenching, eloquent, and so worth the read. it made me realize so many things; that as a white-ally, I no longer have the option to do nothing. My voice should always come later than marginalized voices, but it should be loud when speaking as an ally to people who just don't get it. Thank you, Austin, for writing this book and allowing me to get a glimpse in your journey. I, a white woman, will never be able to understand, but may we make this world a better place for your children, and theirs.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2020-09-06
thank you for writing this!
I ended up stopping a few of my other audio books to listen to this one. Austin is articulate and generous in sharing her experiences. More than once her voice brought me to tears. I love the honesty of saying "nope, it's not good enough-- do better." Thanks for being unapologetically fabulous.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2020-06-30
A vulnerable story with a valuable perspective
I appreciated the author’s vulnerability in sharing her experiences and perspectives as a black woman. It made the book even better to have it read by the author herself. I laughed and cried with her. I think hearing the author’s perspective will help me as a white woman be more aware of what the people of colour in my life may be feeling or experiencing and to listen better.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- KP19
- 2023-02-08
This was my second time
I love this book so much so that I’ve now listed twice and will listen again. I recommend to everyone as a must read as we work towards allyship.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Streetsays
- 2020-06-12
Captivating storytelling
Austin captures your attention right away and doesn’t let go. With her raw emotions, her honest viewpoint, and unique but shared experiences, she fills the pages with the reality of racism in our world and leaves you with a gripping poem of longing for love in the midst of hopelessness at the end.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ricki Prosper
- 2020-06-21
Excellent
Well written, spoken and very insightful. I highly recommend this to everyone. Austin is very captivating.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alysia G
- 2021-08-04
Beautiful story telling
Great stories hammering home examples to sum up a profound message and one audio book I've listened to more than once to capt additional nuggets of wisdom from one woman's experience.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brianne D.
- 2021-07-23
Profound read!
I had "I'm Still Here" on my reading list since the beginning of Black Summer and even more so after I heard Austin Channing Brown on Brené Brown's podcast, Unlocking Us. For any white person wanting to be an ally and asking for an introduction to the lived experience of a BIPOC individual in America, specifically that of a black woman.
It's thoughtful and heartbreakingly vulnerable at times. I left the book profoundly changed, chastened and inspired that white people can work harder for our BIPOC neighbours, friends, community members. It will make for a better society.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jodi halsband
- 2020-07-03
this was fantastic
this was a really great listen and will be reccomended to everyone I know. very powerful coming directly from the author
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!