Apocalyptic Reading Group - May

Apocalypse means “revelation.” Certainly we are living through apocalyptic times, but what exactly is being revealed?

If the systems of US empire are collapsing, and it seems they are, what will we build in the gaps that empire leaves behind? How will we avoid replicating harmful ways, when those are all many of us have known?

With this book discussion series, we’ll look for wisdom in books. Chosen in conversation with folks whose lives they’ve changed, these books have the power to upend our assumptions, spark our imaginations, and point us toward possible liberatory futures. 

These will not be solely intellectual conversations. We’ll weave in grounding moments, personal sharing (always optional!), and inspiration from a variety of sources to keep us encouraged.

We will meet the first Sunday of each month from 4-5:30pm ET/ 1-2:30 PT. Because these are rich, sometimes demanding books, there is no expectation that you will attend all sessions. That would be a lot of reading! We suggest you look through the list, pick the titles that are most interesting to you, mark your calendars, order the books now, and start reading! Please consider purchasing books from an independent bookstore, possibly our own online Book Nest! Every purchase made there contributes a small amount to Kirkridge.

To see the full list of books for 2026, click here (but don’t forget to come back and register!).

Note: Several of these books are written by folks who will be holding retreats at Kirkridge this year. When applicable, that is mentioned at the end of the book description.

We’ll send a zoom link out when you register.

This series is offered free of cost, and a donation ask will be part of every session. 

We can’t wait to be in conversation with you!

May book:

Original Sins: The (Mis)Education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism: If all children could just get an education, the logic goes, they would have the same opportunities later in life. But this historical tour de force makes it clear that the opposite is true: The U.S. school system has played an instrumental role in creating and upholding racial hierarchies, preparing children to expect unequal treatment throughout their lives.

In Original Sins, Ewing demonstrates that our schools were designed to propagate the idea of white intellectual superiority, to “civilize” Native students and to prepare Black students for menial labor. Education was not an afterthought for the Founding Fathers; it was envisioned by Thomas Jefferson as an institution that would fortify the country’s racial hierarchy. Ewing argues that these dynamics persist in a curriculum that continues to minimize the horrors of American history. The most insidious aspects of this system fall below the radar in the forms of standardized testing, academic tracking, disciplinary policies, and uneven access to resources.

By demonstrating that it’s in the DNA of American schools to serve as an effective and underacknowledged mechanism maintaining inequality in this country today, Ewing makes the case that we need a profound reevaluation of what schools are supposed to do, and for whom. This book will change the way people understand the place we send our children for eight hours a day.