Southern Illinois Reads Holds Virtual Book Discussions To Educate The Community On Racial Issues The Carbondale Branch of the NAACP will hold book discussions through May to open up conversations across racial and socio-economic lines in the community. SI Reads is a online discussion forum to educate people on racial issues and how to become active in building a better community. The Illinois Department of Human Services started the initiative Healing Illinois to promote racial healing. Rev. Alfred McGowan is discussing the book “Countering The Conspiracy To Destroy Black Boys” by Jawanza Kunjufu published in 1983. He says the book encourages people to find solutions to address these issues and he wants to start by giving children their own book that interests them.