Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur

13 reviews

emalderwood's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I picked this up as part of a reading challenge, not having really high expectations. I was wary of it being a very 'feel-good,' 'self-help' type book. Instead, I discovered probably one of my favourite books of all time - a book that, despite being published 4 years ago, touched on my deepest fears and pain as we struggle to keep hoping and pushing for change amidst an internationally-broadcast genocide. 

This was like a love letter to anyone who is laboring for a better world founded in love - real, just love and not the kind that doesn't require action. The bits of personal experience lent depth and poignancy to the lessons imparted and it really felt like a big sister taking me by the hand and saying "you are strong enough, and you are not alone." I cried so many times reading this - both at the wisdom Valarie Kaur shared, the words that spoke to me, and at the weight of the grief and pain she recounts bearing witness to. Anyone struggling to make sense of injustice, to find their way in a broken world, or to keep working towards justice through pain and grief: READ. THIS. BOOK. 

I also appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the Sikh faith. Kaur wove elements of her spirituality throughout the book in a way that was accessible, I believe, to anyone of any faith. She has studied other religions and holds appreciation for practices beyond her own and uses examples to help demonstrate how specific wisdom is relevant to other spiritualities. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Hate crime

Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault

Minor: Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Vomit, and Toxic relationship

t_m_loewenelofson's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Islamophobia, Mass/school shootings, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Gun violence, and Confinement

meganpbell's review

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

This memoir astonished and altered me. Coming of age as an American Sikh in the aftermath of 9/11, Valarie Kaur’s dedication to making a difference and her extraordinary courage in the face of hate crimes, police brutality, and sexual assault are made only more remarkable by her resilient compassion toward those who’d harm her. Read this if you believe a better world takes both courage and kindness and you’d like to become more of both.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Islamophobia, Mass/school shootings, and Hate crime

Moderate: Death, Grief, Pregnancy, Racism, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Sexism, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Medical content, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Suicide attempt and Torture

beth_simmons's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

This book should be required reading at this moment in our society. Full of insight, hope, and honesty, Kaur's idea of revolutionary love and how we practice it is so engaging it needs more than one read-through. I led a discussion about it which was supposed to be a single one-hour session. Instead, we stretched it out over four sessions which all went well past the time allotted. It is just so full. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Stalking, Hate crime, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, and Medical content

parablesarah's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, War, Islamophobia, Hate crime, Violence, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Gun violence, and Grief

ajaggers324's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Hate crime, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Violence, Gaslighting, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexism, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Torture, Confinement, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Islamophobia, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Sexual assault

Minor: Antisemitism, Infertility, Genocide, War, Pregnancy, Cancer, Terminal illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Suicide attempt, Homophobia, and Bullying

sneaky_snake22's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

This is a book I will be revisiting for the rest of my life.  It's beautiful and inspiring, I'm not a motherhood person nor l but even I can get on board with her metaphor.  I absolutely loved this.  The content is broken up in a way to allow you to pieces the information slowly, which is great since some of it is really heavy and emotional and you need that time to breathe.  I am inspired and able to accept that there is a lot I'm heading from as I continue working to fight for racial and social justice.  That I don't have to be everything,  but simply use the gifts I have to move forward.  I needed this book.  And I like many people need it too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Racism, Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Mass/school shootings, Pregnancy, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Rape, Murder, and Suicide attempt

She talks as a survivor and someone who works with survivors to move in and through their grief. This is a very honest and difficult book but 100% worth it.

readalongwithnat's review

5.0

Absolutely heart wrenching. Touched on so many topics but they were woven together so intricately. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Islamophobia, Police brutality, Racism, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Medical content, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, and Death of parent

rebekajones's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I did not want this book to end. This book is a testament that social justice and advocacy can and must be paired with self-love and wonder to be sustainable. If you are looking for an infusion of hope as you navigate the dismal landscape of current events, look no further.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Xenophobia

Moderate: Sexual assault, Racism, and Racial slurs

ar_singh's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

5.0

Tati Vao Ana Lagai. The hot winds cannot touch me.

This memoir was amazing! Kaur writing was poetic as it was deeply moving and inspiring. Her explanation of how she moves past trauma, hate and grief to find love, joy, acceptance and forgiveness will stay with me forever.

Breathe, push, inhale, exhale. Find wonder in those around you. Na Ko bairi Nahi Begana. I See no Stranger, I See no Enemy. 

As a young Brown women, there are so many stories and experiences that Kaur went through that I felt on a deeply personal level. Her activism and dedication to her community and her work shows the strength and resilience, brown and black people have forged in the face of hate. And her wise words of wisdom and steady guide in her work Revolutionary love will continue to help me and I hope many others in facing the problems of today.

This memoir is one that I intent to return to. Time and time again. When I need advice, when I need guidance to find hope again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Hate crime, Xenophobia, War, Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Islamophobia, and Gun violence