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mehitabels's review
4.0
Powerful, clear-spoken, purposeful, and just excellent
Reading in public got me (and the husband) lots of looks, and started some interesting conversations on why white people would read this. But we picked it up because it was by a football player we admired, and because his brothers intro promised to make us think.
Another guy I would like to know, for intellect, for humor, and for the opportunity to learn.
Reading in public got me (and the husband) lots of looks, and started some interesting conversations on why white people would read this. But we picked it up because it was by a football player we admired, and because his brothers intro promised to make us think.
Another guy I would like to know, for intellect, for humor, and for the opportunity to learn.
ipomoea's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to be biased, I'm a good white liberal in Seattle and Michael Bennett is my favorite Seahawk, purely for his advocacy for literacy programs and his activism. (Also the bike ride.) I knew he was writing a book and I was excited to review it, as I know it's going to be a hot item here.
Bennett (with the help of Dave Zirin) writes with a smart, funny, engaging voice about subjects he's clearly deeply invested in, namely food deserts, intersectionality, Black Lives Matter, and, to a lesser extent, football. Yes, there's some mentions of games that Seahawks fans will remember perfectly, but there's far more about the environment in the locker room and the support from Pete Carroll that makes the team so cohesive.
Maybe it was just my DRC, but the writing and plotting felt a bit scattered, but nothing I can take a star off for. Bennett's passionate about his activism, and it's clear that he'll be an activist long after he leaves the NFL.
I'm going to be biased, I'm a good white liberal in Seattle and Michael Bennett is my favorite Seahawk, purely for his advocacy for literacy programs and his activism. (Also the bike ride.) I knew he was writing a book and I was excited to review it, as I know it's going to be a hot item here.
Bennett (with the help of Dave Zirin) writes with a smart, funny, engaging voice about subjects he's clearly deeply invested in, namely food deserts, intersectionality, Black Lives Matter, and, to a lesser extent, football. Yes, there's some mentions of games that Seahawks fans will remember perfectly, but there's far more about the environment in the locker room and the support from Pete Carroll that makes the team so cohesive.
Maybe it was just my DRC, but the writing and plotting felt a bit scattered, but nothing I can take a star off for. Bennett's passionate about his activism, and it's clear that he'll be an activist long after he leaves the NFL.
chupacabra2000's review
3.0
I'd give this book a 3,5. When I picked this up I had no clue who Michael was - and being european didn't help me much in the first part of the book being almost entirely focused on american football. But! He made a lot of great points, hence the rating.
dfostermartin's review against another edition
4.0
Micheal Bennett is a football player and does lots of sportsing stuff, but I didn’t know that before I read this book because I’m not into sportsing stuff. Luckily for me, Michael Bennett is a football player AND ALSO so much more. This was a very eloquently written book that made me laugh, made me think, and made me angry (in a good way) throughout. His section on Haiti, in particular, really blew my mind.
triforce's review
5.0
All I want to do is give people copies of this book and make sure they read it.
I laughed. I cried. I got angry. I felt uncomfortable.
And I feel this will be a book I come back to.
I laughed. I cried. I got angry. I felt uncomfortable.
And I feel this will be a book I come back to.
wildgurl's review
4.0
Things That Make White People Uncomfortable
by Michael Bennett
2018
Haymarket Books
I put off reading this book for a long time, although I was interested immediately in reading it. Why? Well.....it made me.....a white person.....uncomfortable....
Then I read the book. Michael Bennett doesn't stand up for just himself, he has the courage and conviction to put his support behind programs that work with people marginalized in society for their beliefs or lifestyle choices. This is a man who believes the backbone of society is its community and its people.
**Improving food programs and teaching youth about the benefits of good nutrition
**STEM based education
**Intersectionality
**Pro cannabis use for injury recovery
**Black Lives
**Putting college education before sports
Michael Bennett believes in people, first. He uses his celebrity to help support causes he believes in, hoping to influence others to stand up for their own beliefs; that Corporations that want to use his image might see what he is doing to help, and what he stands up for and want to match his support.
He has become a member of A4I (Athletes For Impact) an organization that supports athletes who faced discriminating attitudes because of their personal beliefs, convictions or lifestyle choices.
This book was so inspiring. I have so much respect and admiration for Michael Bennett. I'm no longer uncomfortable. I'm totally onboard. I love this guy!
Amazing what we can learn and do when we finally step away from "comfortable"......when we put people before the "brand".
Highly recommended.
by Michael Bennett
2018
Haymarket Books
I put off reading this book for a long time, although I was interested immediately in reading it. Why? Well.....it made me.....a white person.....uncomfortable....
Then I read the book. Michael Bennett doesn't stand up for just himself, he has the courage and conviction to put his support behind programs that work with people marginalized in society for their beliefs or lifestyle choices. This is a man who believes the backbone of society is its community and its people.
**Improving food programs and teaching youth about the benefits of good nutrition
**STEM based education
**Intersectionality
**Pro cannabis use for injury recovery
**Black Lives
**Putting college education before sports
Michael Bennett believes in people, first. He uses his celebrity to help support causes he believes in, hoping to influence others to stand up for their own beliefs; that Corporations that want to use his image might see what he is doing to help, and what he stands up for and want to match his support.
He has become a member of A4I (Athletes For Impact) an organization that supports athletes who faced discriminating attitudes because of their personal beliefs, convictions or lifestyle choices.
This book was so inspiring. I have so much respect and admiration for Michael Bennett. I'm no longer uncomfortable. I'm totally onboard. I love this guy!
Amazing what we can learn and do when we finally step away from "comfortable"......when we put people before the "brand".
Highly recommended.
mercenator's review
3.0
Super important content, but the writing is repetitive. I feel like there were few moments that were truly envelope-pushing and impactful here.
alyssa_olaf's review
5.0
First of all, s/o to my dad for recommending this book! (He read it years ago and I had always been eyeing it on his bookshelf). Michael Bennett's writing is raw, truthful, and incredibly down-to-earth. I admired how fleshed out this novel was, as it covered topics of racism both in and out of the sports world, feminism, and shed light on the abuse and neglect faced by college and professional athletes. There was only one chapter I found myself a bit lost because of the football jargon, but I persisted! (So what I'm saying is, if you also don't understand football, you will be able to understand this book). Things That Make White People Uncomfortable is a must-read, a book I couldn't put down, and a novel that was immediately added to my favorites shelf.
justjoel's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the book and thought it had a lot of thought put into what it offered, but I found the title to not quite get true. Perhaps racist white people might be uncomfortable with Bennett's stance on a great many things, but I don't think anyone who is conscious of their white privilege will find anything groundbreaking in here.
I did develop a lot of respect for Bennett after reading (listening to) this. He is unapologetically real, and I appreciate that in people.
I did develop a lot of respect for Bennett after reading (listening to) this. He is unapologetically real, and I appreciate that in people.
pinecone_mushroom's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It's a good companion to Ijeoma Oluo's "So You Want to Talk About Race" -- it's similar in how it's a friendly, hand-holding introduction to racism. Made me consider topics such as: Pete Carroll is one of the good guys; athletes comparing themselves to slaves; instant forgiveness; coaches who consider themselves father figures; childhood nutrition programs; fantasy football; if I can watch football at all any more; why white women cry at Black activists and expect to be comforted; how beautiful Bennett's beard is. Funny, educational, interesting, motivating.