Historic black book store sells out of books on racial discrimination

Marcus Books, a black-owned bookshop in Oakland, California, has witnessed social movement after social movement since it opened in 1960.

From the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the Rodney King riots to now - as protests over the death of George Floyd continue to sweep the nation.

Owner Blanche Richardson - whose parents founded the shop - says today's calls for social justice have sparked a surge in sales of books covering racial discrimination in America.

"People are just begging for something that will explain what's going on and how they can make a difference and change that."

At Marcus Books, "Between the world and me" by Ta-nehisi Coates, among others, are all sold out and on back order.

Richardson sees the increased demand as a positive sign for the moving the national conversation forward.

"It's very encouraging to see the number of sincere white people looking for answers and looking to make change. And that's different than what we've seen before in an overwhelming sense. It makes you hopeful anyway. Cautiously hopeful but hopeful."

Meanwhile, for customers like 31- year-old Jillian Barricelli, the books provide context to help her understand the fuller picture of the protests.

"All of the books that I read that my school gave us to read, never captured so much of the history that is so prevalent now with everything that is going on. I personally felt compelled to one, give black businesses my money, to support them, but also to read and to learn."

Meanwhile, big companies like Barnes & Noble and Amazon are seeing a similar trend.

Non-fiction books about the black experience top the Amazon best-seller list and many are sold out.