One Book, One Beaverton 2021
What if all of Beaverton read the same book?
The title for 2021 was Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, one of America’s most dedicated civil rights lawyers and social justice activists. Just Mercy is a moving memoir and riveting exposé about our deeply flawed criminal justice system and one man’s fight to defend our country’s most vulnerable and poor.
PAST EVENTS
JOURNAL DRIVE
Thank you so much to all who donated journals! Your donations will support the important work that Write Around Portland does in our regional correctional facilities.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
MON JAN 11 | 6-7 PM: Song Circle: Songs of Social Justice
Celebrate One Book, One Beaverton and Just Mercy with songs of social justice at this special edition of our Song Circle. We will sing and play 9-10 songs together virtually. Chords and lyrics will be provided.
THURS JAN 14 | 6:30-7:30 PM: The Death Penalty in Oregon
Aliza Kaplan, Professor of Law at Lewis and Clark Law School and Director of the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic, will share her expertise about the history of the death penalty in Oregon, recent changes, and the current status of the law.
SAT JAN 16 | 7-8 PM: Mercy Me! True Stories of Justice, Mercy, and Redemption (Told Live!)
Join us for night of true stories told live on a virtual stage, featuring national storytellers Tim Tingle and Chetter Galloway, and local tellers Cynthia Butts and Mike Devenney.
TUES JAN 19 | 6:30-8 PM: Memoir Writing Workshop
Don’t throw away your shot to record history—as participant or witness. Explore how memoir is different from autobiography and nonfiction, learn how selected memoirs, like Just Mercy, have preserved events in history, and write a short description of one of your own "historical moments." Facilitated by Dr. Susan Swartwout, author and founder of Southeast Missouri State University Press.
WED JAN 20 | 6-7:30 PM: Race and Oregon History
Alexis James of Construct the Present will help us explore Oregon’s racially biased history and engage with the community in healing and building bridges. Participants can expect to learn, connect, and speak their truth in a space that is welcoming and rigorous.
SAT JAN 23 | 6-7:30 PM: Working for Change: A Panel of Local Advocates for Justice and Equality
Representatives from local nonprofits working in the area of criminal justice reform will share about the important work they do and ways you can get involved. Featuring the Partnership for Safety and Justice, Red Lodge Transition Services, Write Around Portland, the Forensic Justice Project, and the Restorative Justice Coalition of Oregon.
WED JAN 27 | 6-7:30 PM: White Allyship
What does it mean to be a white ally? And what does it mean to have the support of white allies as a person of color? What is needed from white people in our communities to focus on the conversation about racism? Facilitator Alexis James will guide participants in exploring their identities, learning how to acknowledge different lived experiences without alienating friends and neighbors, and moving toward action in their own communities. This conversation will set the table for engaging in discussions about racism, white culture, and identity. People of all racial backgrounds and identities are welcome!
VIRTUAL BOOK DISCUSSION
THU JAN 7 | 10-11:15 AM: Murray Scholls Book Group
WED JAN 13 | 6:30-7:45 PM: Bonus Book Discussion
TUES JAN 19 | 6-7 PM: Teen Book Discussion (Please note: this event is for young adults grades 6 to 12.)
TUE JAN 26 | 6:30-7:45 PM: Recommended Reads Book Group
Hosting your own book group discussion? Check out these discussion questions to help get you started!
The goals of this program are:
Bring a diverse community of readers together to discover our commonality and celebrate our differences.
Encourage reflection on our place in the wider world and what unites us.
The library would like to thank the New Friends of the Beaverton City Library for their support of the One Book, One Beaverton program.