Finding My Voice: On Grieving My Father, Eric Garner, and Pushing for Justice

In her memoir, Emerald Garner recounts her father's cruel and unjust murder, the pain she and her family endured, and her journey as an activist against police violence. The book includes personal essays and conversations with politicians, athletes, and activists, as well as Emerald's own family, and ends with a call-to-action by author Ilyasah Shabazz.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 17 November 2022
Publisher: Haymarket Books

In this heart-wrenching memoir, Emerald Garner vividly recounts the tragic and unjust murder of her father, the immense pain that followed, the relentless pressures of an exploitative media, and her unwavering journey as an activist against police violence. The story begins on a rare day off in July 2014, a day she had eagerly anticipated for rest and family time. However, it swiftly turned into a nightmare that shattered her world. Emerald vividly describes the unbearable suffering she and her family endured: the insensitive camera lenses that relentlessly documented their pain, the stares and whispers of strangers who poked and prodded, and the inability to find solace in private mourning.

In addition to these deeply personal essays, Finding My Voice also features conversations that provided Emerald with inspiration, empathy, and a sense of community. She engaged in profound dialogues with politicians, athletes, and activists such as Brian Benjamin and Etan Thomas, as well as with others who had experienced similar unfathomable grief, including Lora Dene King, Angelique Kearse, and Pamela Brooks. These conversations not only offered solace but also sparked a renewed sense of purpose and determination in Emerald's fight for justice.

The book concludes with a powerful call to action by Emerald's mother, Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X. As the demand for radical transformation and accountability grows, Emerald's memoir serves as a poignant testament to the power of family and community, and the resilience it takes to survive, stand, and speak up against injustice.

Weight: 270g
Dimension: 140 x 215 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642598315