Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

A Closer Look at the Carbon Footprint of Transportation

What percentage of carbon emissions come from transportation? Is it possible to eliminate CO2 emissions in the transportation industry? Statistics show that one of the most significant contributors to carbon emissions is transportation/shipping. According to Vaclav Smil, the author of Numbers Don’t Lie, it would take a radical change to go carbon-neutral in these industries. Let’s look at the numbers behind the carbon footprint of the transportation and shipping industries.

Ibram X. Kendi: Racism in the Age of Enlightenment

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How did the Enlightenment movement challenge racism? What were the major antiracist developments of the Enlightenment period? According to Ibram X. Kendi, the author of Stamped from the Beginning, the Enlightenment period contains the first examples of antislavery sentiment and attempts to challenge racism. Enlightenment thinkers promoted political ideals of democracy and universal equality, which opposed the institution of racism. Keep reading to learn about racism in the age of Enlightenment.

The Best Books About Trauma: Reclaim Your Life

Do you want to learn about psychological trauma? How do traumatic experiences change us as people? Dealing with psychological trauma is a uniquely personal experience, which can make you feel alone and helpless. But the paths towards healing have been trodden by others who’ve experienced similar misfortunes. Reading books about trauma can help you see how others have navigated similar experiences so you can see them in a new light. In this article, we’ve compiled a roundup of the best books about trauma from our library.

What Were Jim Crow Laws and How Were They Applied?

What were Jim Crow laws and how were they applied? When did Jim Crow segregation start and end? Between 1890 and 1910, Southern states passed laws called Jim Crow laws that allowed segregation and severely limited Black civil liberties. These laws stayed in effect until 1965. Keep reading to learn about Jim Crow laws and their lingering effects to this day.

Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi

More than 50 years after the Civil Rights Movement and more than 14 years after electing its first Black president, why is the United States still divided along racial lines? What is the new theory of racism? That’s the central question of Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi, which argues that contrary to common wisdom, racism doesn’t begin with prejudice and hatred. It begins with self-serving policies whose proponents justify their actions by inventing racist ideas. Below is a brief overview of the key takeaways from Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi.

Uplift Suasion: You Can’t Persuade Away Racism

What is “uplift suasion”? What is the problem with trying to challenge racism by way of persuasion? Uplift suasion is a way of addressing racism that is premised on disproving the stereotypes associated with Black people. Although uplift suasion is meant to combat racism, it does precisely the opposite: it perpetuates racist ideas by imposing the white standard. Here’s why the logic behind uplift suasion is inherently racist, according to Ibram X. Kendi.

Ibram X. Kendi Quotes (Stamped From the Beginning)

Are you looking for Stamped From the Beginning quotes by Ibram X. Kendi? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In Stamped From the Beginning, Ibram X. Kendi argues that racist ideas don’t give rise to racist policies. Policies come first, and racist ideas are invented and perpetuated to justify them. Kendi, an African American Studies scholar, develops this claim by analyzing the history of racist ideas in the United States and offering readers a better understanding of how to combat contemporary racism. Below is a selection of Ibram X. Kendi’s quotes with explanations.

The Myth of Postracialism: How It Evolved & Why It’s Wrong

Was the Civil Rights Act a victory over racism? How did postracialism undermine antiracist positions? As the post-Civil Rights era settled in, the myth of postracialism overtook American consciousness. According to Ibram X. Kendi, the author of Stamped From the Beginning, the idea of postracialism is an inherently racist concept because it obscures racist policies and their effects. Here’s how the idea of postracialism evolved—and why it’s wrong.

In the Name of God: Justifying Slavery by Divine Salvation

How did slave owners justify slavery? What role did religion play in perpetuating the institution of slavery? One of the earliest justifications for enslaving Black Americans was the belief that white enslavers could save Black souls by converting them to Christianity. By that logic, if Blacks accepted Christianity, their souls would be absolved of their inherent immorality. Here’s how religious rhetoric was used for justifying slavery.

Negative Effects of Procrastination: Beyond Time Management

Do you tend to procrastinate on important projects, delaying them until the last minute? What are the dangers of chronic procrastination? In the short term, procrastination wastes your time and gives you anxiety. In the long term, however, it has more overarching and deleterious effects, hurting your mental health and causing you to miss out on opportunities to progress in life. Keep reading to learn about the negative effects of procrastination.