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Reviews tagging 'Racism'
Elite Capture: How the Powerful Took Over Identity Politics by Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò
6 reviews
eslsilver's review
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Classism
savvylit's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Prior to reading Elite Capture, I did have some idea of the myriad ways in which elites capture political movements and sanitize radical ideas. However, Táíwò really illustrates not only the power of the elites but the extent to which they have captured aspects of our lives in nearly every way imaginable. For instance, Táíwò details how our attention is controlled via Social Media algorithms.
Most importantly, though, Táíwò demonstrates the importance of rejecting modern (captured) identity politics. The powerful in many realms, including politics and media, will insist to the masses that they are being inclusive in one way or another. If we look beyond the surface level, though, we will see that elite attempts at inclusivity are really about optics and placating legitimate criticism. We must look beyond such hollow overtures and see that a more radical world is possible. Elite Capture is an important reminder to only accept legitimate, systemic change.
Most importantly, though, Táíwò demonstrates the importance of rejecting modern (captured) identity politics. The powerful in many realms, including politics and media, will insist to the masses that they are being inclusive in one way or another. If we look beyond the surface level, though, we will see that elite attempts at inclusivity are really about optics and placating legitimate criticism. We must look beyond such hollow overtures and see that a more radical world is possible. Elite Capture is an important reminder to only accept legitimate, systemic change.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Sexism, and Gun violence
zombiezami's review against another edition
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
I think I'll have to return to this at least once more to feel like I fully understand
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Slavery, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Genocide, Deportation, War, and Rape
ka_cam's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
A concise, quick, accessible overview of elite capture, identity politics, deference politics, and some ideas for truly liberatory constructive strategies. Used a lot if metaphores with some interesting historical anecdotes, quotes, and parables. Anyone who is tired of neoliberal identity games (on the girlboss or Black capitlism levels, or in small settings) will find compelling points and antidotes to navel-gazing and self/class-serving coptions of identity. As a very short text it doesn’t dig as deeply as it could, or develop critiques or other options as much as I would have liked, but an interesting addition to the conversation on how we should and can conduct and understand ourselves, our communities, and our systems to build a better world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Colonisation
Minor: War
blackandbookish's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War
cythera15's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book was quite amazing! It really helps me change perspectives about how identity politics both liberate and constrain people, but also made me feel hopeful about the future. We can imagine a better future, a different room to be in!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
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