Citizen: An American Lyric, Claudia Rankine, 2014 

A nominee for the National Book Award in poetry, this remarkable volume chronicles the experience of Black Americans with prejudice, hatred, subtle and overt language, acts of violence, acts of everyday disrespect, and the general evidence of second class citizenship, ironic given the title.  From Professor Rankine’s own experience with colleagues and service people to Serena Williams’ experience with line judges and umpires, from the violence towards Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown to the lynching and beating of others, from Katrina to stop-and-frisk, this is a volume that will open eyes and hearts if only it is read.  A must read for all Americans and a stimulus to get out there for the Black Lives Matter movement.