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elizabethlk's review against another edition
5.0
I've Been Meaning to Tell You has been on my TBR since it came out, and I'm so glad I finally got to it. I honestly think it has deserved every bit of praise I've heard. Chariandy's writing is tender, poignant, heartfelt, and even funny, as he writes to his daughter in a way that I think many people will find intensely relatable while offering up perhaps something very different from their own experiences. Covering his own experiences, as well as the experiences of his parents and children alike, this small part of his story needs to be heard, and I'm truly glad I had the chance to read it.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
carebear123's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
bookwormadventuregirl's review against another edition
5.0
For my full review. Follow this link to my blog:
https://bwadventuregirl.wixsite.com/website/post/i-ve-been-meaning-to-tell-you-by-david-chariandy
https://bwadventuregirl.wixsite.com/website/post/i-ve-been-meaning-to-tell-you-by-david-chariandy
shardeesbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was a beautiful letter to his daughter, & I loved the writing style. I’ve been having a lot of conversations with my West Indian, specifically Trinidadian friends, and they really connected with this story, which perhaps allowed me to better connect with it. I am the daughter of immigrants from India and do not share the experiences with the author, I have recognized some of the experiences within my family.
While not written for me, all of these kinds of memoirs, the letters to their children, have been very powerful for me to read...I think I have a found a new favourite genre.
Looking forward to checking out Charimandy’s BROTHER next.
While not written for me, all of these kinds of memoirs, the letters to their children, have been very powerful for me to read...I think I have a found a new favourite genre.
Looking forward to checking out Charimandy’s BROTHER next.
maireadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A letter from a father to a daughter, about race and heritage.
procrastireader's review against another edition
5.0
Time to recommend this book to everyone I know. (3rd book read during the reading rush, for genre I want to read more of & the first book I touched)
chantellecho_'s review against another edition
5.0
"The truth is that before I could appreciate my own complex humanity, I was made to understand and appreciate theirs, which I saw confirmed, over and over again, on television, in films, and in books." Wow did this quote resonate somewhere deep in me.
lavelle_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This is an open letter David Chariandy writes to his daughter, discussing race in today’s world. It's only 88 pages, but FILLED with great insight and huge talking points.
Chariandy provides a quick look into slavery, immigrants and the struggle of belonging, told through his family history. He also rejects the “myth” of a "non-racist" Canada—his experiences as a brown man of Black and South Asian heritage, and Canada’s treatment of Indigenous peoples, beg to differ.
He then discusses the ‘inconsistencies’ of racism he faced: the same peers who called him slurs would also pick him first for their teams, or backtrack on their comments later on. It shows that racism isn't necessarily consistent or all-encompassing, but exists in single acts. Behaviour can be inherently racist! You don't have to be a "true" racist to do racist things!
He also notes the motivations behind racism, usually linked to (perceived) competitive threats. While he's called the n-word in Canada, he believes he’d endure racial abuse elsewhere too, using different slurs: "In another global city, boasting deeper and richer histories of South Asian immigration, I might have been called a P***.”
Also appraised: racism through the lens of gender. How Black men face immense pressure to be tough and masculine, how they are viewed as threats regardless of their behaviour. And how women face sexism IN ADDITION to judgement based on their skin colour/race.
Above all, Chiarandy emphasizes self-determination and responsibility. Not just in deciding who you are and responding to treatment from others, but also how YOU treat others—are you aware of their struggles? Do you contribute to their erasure/oppression, even unintentionally?
Ending this review with my fave line: “You are not what they see and say you are. You are more.”
Chariandy provides a quick look into slavery, immigrants and the struggle of belonging, told through his family history. He also rejects the “myth” of a "non-racist" Canada—his experiences as a brown man of Black and South Asian heritage, and Canada’s treatment of Indigenous peoples, beg to differ.
He then discusses the ‘inconsistencies’ of racism he faced: the same peers who called him slurs would also pick him first for their teams, or backtrack on their comments later on. It shows that racism isn't necessarily consistent or all-encompassing, but exists in single acts. Behaviour can be inherently racist! You don't have to be a "true" racist to do racist things!
He also notes the motivations behind racism, usually linked to (perceived) competitive threats. While he's called the n-word in Canada, he believes he’d endure racial abuse elsewhere too, using different slurs: "In another global city, boasting deeper and richer histories of South Asian immigration, I might have been called a P***.”
Also appraised: racism through the lens of gender. How Black men face immense pressure to be tough and masculine, how they are viewed as threats regardless of their behaviour. And how women face sexism IN ADDITION to judgement based on their skin colour/race.
Above all, Chiarandy emphasizes self-determination and responsibility. Not just in deciding who you are and responding to treatment from others, but also how YOU treat others—are you aware of their struggles? Do you contribute to their erasure/oppression, even unintentionally?
Ending this review with my fave line: “You are not what they see and say you are. You are more.”
adamisgay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.25