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avisreadsandreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Child death, Death, Police brutality, Violence, Hate crime, and Grief
studeronomy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0
This is a self-consciously “Very. Important. Book.” Claudia Rankine is aiming for a Whitman-level scope here, and mostly she achieves it, I think. This poem deserves its reputation. But I think because Rankine's aim was to write a “Very. Important. Book” about “Very. Important. Issues” that are both “Topical” and “Transhistorical,” “Particular” and “Universal,” so overwhelmed me that I sometimes missed the subtlety of much of this American epic poem. And the subtlety is there, to be sure.
Let me explain...
As virtually everyone knows at this point, “Citizen” is a much-lauded poem written in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s death (I’d call it a murder, but a jury in Florida disagreed) and the subsequent BLM movement, which called attention to fact that, for Black people everywhere (Rankine writes about America), encounters with the police carry an added threat of physical assault and murder. “Citizen” was published in the year that police officer Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, sparking a backlash that would evolve into the nationwide movement, culminating in the massive 2020 BLM protests.
This is all heavy stuff, and this is what Rankine is tackling.
At one point, as she reflects on the Black experience—from microaggressions to institutional racism and state-sponsored murder—Rankine sarcastically writes: "No one should adhere to the facts that contribute to narrative, the facts that create lives. To your mind, feelings are what create a person, something unwilling, something wild vandalizing whatever the skull holds. Those sensations form a someone. The headaches begin then."
It's a beautiful passage. It’s an unclear passage. It surely describes Rankine’s experience with the socially and institutionally induced migraines—the torturous headaches—that Black people endure throughout their lives in the United States. But this passage also describes experiences that white people can understand, in other ways. I certainly related to it. The degree to which I related to this passage is, however, complicated by the fact that, as a white man, my American citizenship (and the accompanying rights and prestige that come with my American citizenship) are rarely if ever called into question. I am, in almost every space I inhabit, safe. That safety is not afforded to Black Americans, no matter their class or status.
Regarding safety, Rankine writes:
"And where is the safest place when that place
must be someplace other than the body?"
Who can answer this question when a Black American asks it? Seriously, who? Rankine, at another point, quotes James Baldwin: "The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions hidden by the answers." Rankine definitely lays bare those questions in “Citizen.”
I can’t say enough about the visual artwork that is integrated into Rankine’s poem. It…packs a punch. Every single image. I can’t say enough about it, so I won’t say much of anything, except that it moves and disgusts and inspires and nauseates the reader, that it adds so much beauty and power to this poem.
But the ambition and the confusion…I don’t know, after a while, I got very tired reading this poem. Which is the point, I know, especially because I’m a white reader. I admire Rankine’s ambition so much, but…there’s just something here that I can’t articulate, something that doesn’t quite satisfy me. Something about “Citizen” seemed very incomplete to me. Disjointed. Confusing. Maybe it’s because I want a winner, I want answers, I want justice and atonement and forgiveness and all that. But that’s not possible, not yet, for the readers of “Citizen.” As Rankine says in the last line…well, I won’t spoil that for you.
I want to give “Citizen” five stars and three stars. I’m giving it three stars because I think enough readers have given it five. But this is clearly a five-star poem, no question. I had a three-star experience reading it, but a very unusual and confusing sort of three-star experience. Maybe its awareness of the scope and enormity of its themes, of its stories, bothered me a bit. I don’t know. But that doesn’t make it less impressive or powerful.
Let me explain...
As virtually everyone knows at this point, “Citizen” is a much-lauded poem written in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s death (I’d call it a murder, but a jury in Florida disagreed) and the subsequent BLM movement, which called attention to fact that, for Black people everywhere (Rankine writes about America), encounters with the police carry an added threat of physical assault and murder. “Citizen” was published in the year that police officer Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, sparking a backlash that would evolve into the nationwide movement, culminating in the massive 2020 BLM protests.
This is all heavy stuff, and this is what Rankine is tackling.
At one point, as she reflects on the Black experience—from microaggressions to institutional racism and state-sponsored murder—Rankine sarcastically writes: "No one should adhere to the facts that contribute to narrative, the facts that create lives. To your mind, feelings are what create a person, something unwilling, something wild vandalizing whatever the skull holds. Those sensations form a someone. The headaches begin then."
It's a beautiful passage. It’s an unclear passage. It surely describes Rankine’s experience with the socially and institutionally induced migraines—the torturous headaches—that Black people endure throughout their lives in the United States. But this passage also describes experiences that white people can understand, in other ways. I certainly related to it. The degree to which I related to this passage is, however, complicated by the fact that, as a white man, my American citizenship (and the accompanying rights and prestige that come with my American citizenship) are rarely if ever called into question. I am, in almost every space I inhabit, safe. That safety is not afforded to Black Americans, no matter their class or status.
Regarding safety, Rankine writes:
"And where is the safest place when that place
must be someplace other than the body?"
Who can answer this question when a Black American asks it? Seriously, who? Rankine, at another point, quotes James Baldwin: "The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions hidden by the answers." Rankine definitely lays bare those questions in “Citizen.”
I can’t say enough about the visual artwork that is integrated into Rankine’s poem. It…packs a punch. Every single image. I can’t say enough about it, so I won’t say much of anything, except that it moves and disgusts and inspires and nauseates the reader, that it adds so much beauty and power to this poem.
But the ambition and the confusion…I don’t know, after a while, I got very tired reading this poem. Which is the point, I know, especially because I’m a white reader. I admire Rankine’s ambition so much, but…there’s just something here that I can’t articulate, something that doesn’t quite satisfy me. Something about “Citizen” seemed very incomplete to me. Disjointed. Confusing. Maybe it’s because I want a winner, I want answers, I want justice and atonement and forgiveness and all that. But that’s not possible, not yet, for the readers of “Citizen.” As Rankine says in the last line…well, I won’t spoil that for you.
I want to give “Citizen” five stars and three stars. I’m giving it three stars because I think enough readers have given it five. But this is clearly a five-star poem, no question. I had a three-star experience reading it, but a very unusual and confusing sort of three-star experience. Maybe its awareness of the scope and enormity of its themes, of its stories, bothered me a bit. I don’t know. But that doesn’t make it less impressive or powerful.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs and Violence
mattyvreads's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
A poignant, thought-provoking, and no-nonsense indictment of racism, misogyny, and their intersection, in America. Rankine does not mince words.
This piece is a sort of extended poem which illustrates her experience as a Black woman in America, including micro-aggressions carried out against herself, her friends, and Black female athletes like Serena Williams who faced casual racism in their sport that had huge consequences.
I am eager to read this book again, as to soak up even more of Rankine’s words. She is an icon.
This piece is a sort of extended poem which illustrates her experience as a Black woman in America, including micro-aggressions carried out against herself, her friends, and Black female athletes like Serena Williams who faced casual racism in their sport that had huge consequences.
I am eager to read this book again, as to soak up even more of Rankine’s words. She is an icon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Classism
bricharis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death, Murder, and Racial slurs
sairywhy's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, Racial slurs, and Death
rieviolet's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
I am sorry but this book was really not for me. I did not get along with the writing style nor the way it was structured, these sort of fragmented and episodic reflections were too difficult for me to follow, I mostly felt confused and clueless about what was going on.
Honestly, I understood maybe a third of what I read and while that is certainly on me, it really hampered my fruition of the book and the general appreciation of the reading experience.
I also struggled with the final section in verse and most of it went over my head. I admit that I am not a devoted poetry reader and, when I actually read it, I am usually drawn to a more prose-like and matter-of-fact type of poetry.
I think a book like this is just too much experimental for my personal taste. However, I did appreciate the section focusing on Serena Williams and the racism she experienced in her career as a tennis player, it might be because it was the part that more closely resembled a traditional and straightforward essay.
Honestly, I understood maybe a third of what I read and while that is certainly on me, it really hampered my fruition of the book and the general appreciation of the reading experience.
I also struggled with the final section in verse and most of it went over my head. I admit that I am not a devoted poetry reader and, when I actually read it, I am usually drawn to a more prose-like and matter-of-fact type of poetry.
I think a book like this is just too much experimental for my personal taste. However, I did appreciate the section focusing on Serena Williams and the racism she experienced in her career as a tennis player, it might be because it was the part that more closely resembled a traditional and straightforward essay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Violence and Hate crime
Minor: Blood, Body shaming, Racial slurs, Death, Vomit, Murder, Rape, and Cancer
eve81's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, Murder, Racial slurs, Police brutality, Racism, and Misogyny
hunterlovesneilperry's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
At certain times, I had to read paragraphs over and over again because I didn’t really understand them. But when I did eventually crack them, it was all fine and I continued in. Rankine can WRITE let me tell u. Her prose and use of words are truly one of a kind, and I will gladly read her again!
As a white person, I do try to put my reading where I would not usually, because you don’t see them a lot. I did really enjoy it, and of course there are times when you sit there and go «I will always be shielded from this.» But I think being aware of those and this and all of it, will perhaps make it easier for those of privilege to listen to the ones wothiut.
As a white person, I do try to put my reading where I would not usually, because you don’t see them a lot. I did really enjoy it, and of course there are times when you sit there and go «I will always be shielded from this.» But I think being aware of those and this and all of it, will perhaps make it easier for those of privilege to listen to the ones wothiut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
peachani's review against another edition
challenging
sad
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
readbycarina's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny