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bibliobrandie's review against another edition
3.0
This one had a very different tone from the previous two in the series (Citizen and Don’t Let Me Be Lonely), both of which I absolutely loved. Just Us is a collection of essays and images exploring racism and white supremacy. I liked this one and there were some amazing passages, but it didn’t blow me away. Claudia Rankin is brilliant and an incredible writer and I will read anything she writes.
booksmellers's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
waynediane's review against another edition
4.0
Rankin’s writing is thought provoking and somewhat confrontational edgy. She makes you think about privilege from gender race and/or class power. My only complaint is that there appears to be some rehashing from her prior book American Citizen a lyric
readingsofaslinky's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
heidihaverkamp's review against another edition
4.0
This is a text made of poetry, prose, photos, images, and citations of studies and research articles - in some ways, an art book. Her chapter about blondness - among both whites and people of color - wow. Rankin pulls no punches, but is also simply herself - sharing her train of thought as she talks to white men in airports about privilege (I would usually rather die than talk to people in airports) or to white friends about difficult topics or as she sits down across from a white teacher at parent/teacher conferences. Also, the two security cam photos of Dylan Roof first entering Mother Emanuel church, and then leaving . . . no words.
ayami's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded up.
As so many others I’ve read quite a lot of anti-racist books last year. Some of them were brilliant, some were an exercise in containing my frustration at the lazy arguments. But no other book has impacted me in the way that “Just Us” did. While other authors stated/shouted their truths at me, Rankin asks questions. As she took me on a journey through her encounters with various Americans, she made me question my surroundings as well. She started a conversation and provided me with the tools, so I can continue to ask further questions myself. If you simply want to know what is the correct thing to say in order to appear woke, this is not a book for you. For those who want to seriously ponder the nature of “whiteness” in contemporary society - get this book and enjoy the journey.
As so many others I’ve read quite a lot of anti-racist books last year. Some of them were brilliant, some were an exercise in containing my frustration at the lazy arguments. But no other book has impacted me in the way that “Just Us” did. While other authors stated/shouted their truths at me, Rankin asks questions. As she took me on a journey through her encounters with various Americans, she made me question my surroundings as well. She started a conversation and provided me with the tools, so I can continue to ask further questions myself. If you simply want to know what is the correct thing to say in order to appear woke, this is not a book for you. For those who want to seriously ponder the nature of “whiteness” in contemporary society - get this book and enjoy the journey.
l_d_star's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0