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laurenkara's review against another edition
4.0
Claudia Rankine is brilliantly unapologetic in Citizen and rightfully so. This really helped open my eyes even more to the injustices that black people all over the world are facing. Their anger is valid and understandable. I'll admit this isn't my usual style of poetry and a lot of these went over my head a little, but that doesn't make them any less important. As I was reading I kept thinking how I couldn't relate and then that made me realise even more just how privileged I am as a white person. I don't need to worry about facing all the injustices that Claudia and other black people constantly face. I'm really glad I read this! It's super important and I recommend you all check it out.
heathero621's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
This is a poetry/short essay book that looks at how Black people are treated in the current times. The stories and reflection on these events are powerful and eye opening. This is a short book and can be finished in one sitting. I think that Rankine's words will make you reflect on the racism that is happening currently.
aliceboule's review
4.0
The style that Rankine utilizes in completely unique to her. The mixture of memoir, textbook, prose and poetry makes for a striking mosaic.
In this lyric (?) she addresses the social injustices of this world - in particular those of the racial kind. Ranking brings up the idea of micro-aggressions and their impact on the psyche. Constantly having to "let things go" starts to build up inside people, eventually leading to violence or outbursts over the littlest things.
I found page 134 and 135 terrifying. Because what Ranking brings to the light is not an issue that has been resolved but one that is currently being bled over. And perhaps this novel (?) or testament to injustice is the first step towards ending it.
In this lyric (?) she addresses the social injustices of this world - in particular those of the racial kind. Ranking brings up the idea of micro-aggressions and their impact on the psyche. Constantly having to "let things go" starts to build up inside people, eventually leading to violence or outbursts over the littlest things.
I found page 134 and 135 terrifying. Because what Ranking brings to the light is not an issue that has been resolved but one that is currently being bled over. And perhaps this novel (?) or testament to injustice is the first step towards ending it.
gsheffy's review
i absolutely loved her use of analogy/metaphor in this book and the use of a thematic undertone is brilliant. this was such an infuriating look at microaggressions that provided me with so much emotional insight (and I don't want to frame it in terms of its serving me but I'm not sure how else to phrase it.) Anyways, Claudia Rankine is coming to our university to speak in a couple of weeks and based on this book I am so incredibly excited to hear what she has to say!
pierce_ellinwood's review
5.0
Definitely need to read again after finishing it in one sitting. Rankine’s use of the second person forces the reader to enter the world she so deftly examines; I found myself with my phone in hand googling names and stories that I was surprised I didn’t know more about. A beautifully written book that will shake you awake whether you like it or not.
in_dee_d's review
5.0
(3.5) Honestly, I wish I were smart enough to understand the complexities of Rankine's prose. All of it was devastatingly beautiful, but I only comprehended half of it. Nevertheless, this is an important book on the dimensions of self as a Black person in a society that deems us invisible.