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waynediane's review
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
heidihaverkamp's review
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
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.
girlglitch's review against another edition
4.0
Just Us is a thought-provoking collection of poetry and essays on the topic of white privilege. There are not all that many texts that take on the topic of racism from this perspective, but it's an important angle to address.
Rankine's personal spin on the topic is both her strength and her weakness. Her anecdotes act as anchors, making the theoretical tangible and immediate. She has a wonderful talent for explaining the ubiquitous in a way that's so clear and concise, it's like you're seeing it for the first time. But I did get a little tired about hearing about 'a friend'. I appreciate the anonymity may be a necessity, but it does distance you from some deeply personal experiences, and I don't remember feeling quite the same disconnect from Rankine's previous collections.
Just Us is an essential and eye-opening read, and a timely book for 2020.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*
Rankine's personal spin on the topic is both her strength and her weakness. Her anecdotes act as anchors, making the theoretical tangible and immediate. She has a wonderful talent for explaining the ubiquitous in a way that's so clear and concise, it's like you're seeing it for the first time. But I did get a little tired about hearing about 'a friend'. I appreciate the anonymity may be a necessity, but it does distance you from some deeply personal experiences, and I don't remember feeling quite the same disconnect from Rankine's previous collections.
Just Us is an essential and eye-opening read, and a timely book for 2020.
*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*