Don't label me An incredible conversation for divided times

Labels are good things if one is searching for spices in a kitchen cabinet or looking for a T-shirt that fits. When it comes to people, however, labels can often provoke a journey that veers way off course from any original intentions. Manji is no stranger to labels. Born in Uganda, residing in Canada, Manji brings a fresh voice to the interpretation of Islam. She's an educator and philosopher, author and advocate, a Muslim and a lesbian. Pick one label, she might say, or, better yet, pick them all. In an era when all politics are both personal and global, labels are too quickly affixed to both include and exclude along religious, gender, political, and economic lines. Although Manji ponders such deeply divisive subjects as Black Lives Matter and homophobia through the slightly precious construct of talking to her deceased dog, Lily, it is nonetheless an apt device for the larger conversations she champions in the hope that society can evolve to bridge its divides and abandon its labels.--Carol Haggas Copyright 2019 Booklist

Manji (The Trouble with Islam Today) urges tolerance and openminded rapport via an imagined dialogue with her dog, Lily. The construct is unusual, but in practice it is basically the Socratic method: Lily asks questions and plays devil's advocate, providing counterarguments that allow Manji to respond to potential critics, the reader included. Starting with the premise that the recent resurgence of white nationalist sentiment is a symptom of backlash against movements in favor of diversity and multiculturalism, Manji argues that, rather than vilifying individuals who disagree with liberal ideas, progressives must set aside tribal differences and open a dialogue with conservatives and moderates (lest, the implication goes, they become radicalized by rightwing extremists). Manji illustrates her point with personal experiences, notably of her close relationship with Jim, an Obamabashing Republican father figure, who happened to introduce her to her nowwife. She also provides a thoughtprovoking model of civil discourse in a story about a black woman and a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans learning from each other's views on the legacy of the Confederate flag. Manji's plea for unity is laudable and wellarticulated. Those seeking a levelheaded approach to reaching common ground will find Manji and Lily's conversation instructive. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.