Gratitude For What God Is Honored Here?
A book reflection
Last summer, when I started to think with Amy Wright Glenn about the course on pregnancy loss that we would co-teach, I knew that we needed stories that were centered in the experiences of non-white birth givers. So, I sent these 5 words off in a google search: pregnancy loss black women book - I crossed my fingers, and fortunately, came across a gem!
What God is Honored Here? Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss by and for Native Women and Women of Color - Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang, Editors, 2019
I didn’t know how much I needed this book, or how all of us who work in reproductive health need this book. And sadly, I didn’t believe that my google search would yield something so fruitful.
This isn’t a review of What God Is Honored Here?
The text, a collection of personal essays assembled by Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang who are not only co-editors, but co-contributors, is a masterpiece. Reviews have been written, and the critics agree.
Instead, I’m attempting to build a pitch deck or to curate a virtual exhibit that leaves you with no choice other than to acquire, read, and share this book.
What follows in my appeal is Lucille Clifton’s “the lost baby poem”, the collection’s first piece; a quote and photo from contributor Janet Lee-Ortiz’s essay, “Kamali’s Stillbirth;” and two reflections that were shared with me from participants in our course.
I end by including links to the official book trailer, a reading featuring a few contributors, and additional resources that include a reading-list from the publisher. Gibney and Yang’s websites are linked to as well. They each are award winning writers whose storytelling stretches across genres and speaks to readers of all ages through memoirs, YA and picture books.
I hope that my case for reading What God Is Honored Here? is a strong one.
Lucille Clifton, “the lost baby poem” (first publication, 1972)
From “Kamali’s Stillbirth” by Janet Lee-Ortiz
A text sent to me from Charlie, course participant and friend, on how it felt to receive the stories in What God Is Honored Here?, 1/8/21
A post from Tawnya, course participant, that answers our course’s guiding question: What can we do to better understand, and to respond to the pain of pregnancy trauma, pregnancy loss, and infant loss when that pain is compounded by racism? 2/7/21
Our course participants in a book chat with co-editors, Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang, 2/27/21
Links to more:
View a reading by contributors at the East Side Freedom Library.
Find other works by Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang.
Participate in gratitude for What God Is Honored Here? by sharing this post with a group, or with one friend. I truly believe that we all need this.
I read a lot and have more gratitude to give to books that move me. I love book recommendations and I love LOVE a good booklist. If you have one for me, please share that too.
Thanks for reading.
xo, Naima
Upcoming Events
If you know someone who has experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, difficulty conceiving and wants supports, I’ll be co-facilitating this online support group starting March 22nd.
I’ll be co-teaching The Advanced Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss online again in October 2021. Registration is now open.