Scan barcode
rachelfaye's review
4.0
[Read in a social justice book club.] What I took from this book, on my antiracist journey as a white woman in the US, is empathy via antidote. I would not necessarily consider it a how-to guide of "taking action," but its value is significant nonetheless. Hearing Kondwani's stories told with such matter-of-factness, kindness, and strength helped me to understand a bit more what life is like for a black person, a black man, a black child, that grew up in an underfunded, under-cared-for, overpoliced neighborhood. It's not like a literary miracle by any means, but its true power comes through the author's storytelling and giving the readers an insight into a life that may or may not look anything like his, in order to generate significant empathy.
colorfulleo92's review
4.0
An important book to read it doesn't matter how many books like this you read, there is always something new to learn and things to read about again. It was very readable and informative in an easy understandable way
stephmcoakley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Drug use, Hate crime, Police brutality, Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Murder, Racism, and Violence
cpeeney18's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Fidel uses personal anecdotes to outline a particular struggle within the Black community and then outlines potential Antiracist solutions. His own stories help give weight to the topics he discussed and paint a picture of what it’s truly like living poor and/or black.
melhara's review
2.0
First of all, I felt like the audiobook was poorly narrated - the narrator had a dull, monotonous and boring reading voice which took away from the serious and emotional content. The narrator also read the poetry in the most dispassionate tone.
Secondly, I think the title of this book was quite misleading and may have been mistitled. This book was primarily a memoir about the racial injustice in Baltimore and was not a book about "how to start the conversation about race and take action." For books about starting the conversation and taking actions, I would recommend [b:Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man|54130173|Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man|Emmanuel Acho|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594775327l/54130173._SY75_.jpg|84481398] and [b:Me and White Supremacy|46002342|Me and White Supremacy Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor|Layla F. Saad|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576000059l/46002342._SY75_.jpg|70866064].
Finally, the contents of this book were also highly repetitive and rather unorganized.
The only parts of the book I found interesting was learning about racism in the context of Baltimore (the Black community in Baltimore, the author's experience growing up in Baltimore, and the misuse of power by the Baltimore Police Department).
Overall, I was disappointed with this audiobook book because it was not what I was expecting, nor did I feel like the target audience. I think this book may be intended for Black readers and is more of a call-to-action for other Black people and residents of Baltimore.
I would recommend checking out the physical or ebook version of this book (not the audiobook!) if you want to learn about racism in Baltimore.
Secondly, I think the title of this book was quite misleading and may have been mistitled. This book was primarily a memoir about the racial injustice in Baltimore and was not a book about "how to start the conversation about race and take action." For books about starting the conversation and taking actions, I would recommend [b:Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man|54130173|Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man|Emmanuel Acho|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1594775327l/54130173._SY75_.jpg|84481398] and [b:Me and White Supremacy|46002342|Me and White Supremacy Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor|Layla F. Saad|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576000059l/46002342._SY75_.jpg|70866064].
Finally, the contents of this book were also highly repetitive and rather unorganized.
The only parts of the book I found interesting was learning about racism in the context of Baltimore (the Black community in Baltimore, the author's experience growing up in Baltimore, and the misuse of power by the Baltimore Police Department).
Overall, I was disappointed with this audiobook book because it was not what I was expecting, nor did I feel like the target audience. I think this book may be intended for Black readers and is more of a call-to-action for other Black people and residents of Baltimore.
I would recommend checking out the physical or ebook version of this book (not the audiobook!) if you want to learn about racism in Baltimore.
theamazingfencer's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Really well written. I thought this was more of an action guide and was disappointed because it wasn't. However his descriptions of growing up in Baltimore were incredibly powerful.
kaceyjoy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
sstarke's review
4.0
I really liked this book, but it definitely felt more like a mix of personal experiences, poetry/ art, and quotes from other BLM books that I have already read than a "how to start the conversation" type of book. Without that misleading title this would probably have been 5 stars for me. I loved learning about the projects in the book, and there are stories that will break your heart. People should read this if only to realize how our government will spend billions at the drop of a hat on prisons yet it will take at least 5 years to find funds to get air conditioning and heat in elementary schools. It makes me fume.
kristensandiego's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
This book is an important read for anyone wanting to learn about the Black perspective. Fidel's lived experiences shine a light on a world that those with privilege did not see growing up and do not see today. I especially think this book is beneficial for anyone working with children who are looking to connect with or understand those who suffer at the hands of systemic racism/inequality/discrimination at the hands of white supremacy and white dominant culture. A quick but informative read with impactful insights and deeper understanding.
sammantha's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Death, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Murder, and Hate crime
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death