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kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
5.0
“Jesus, they say, rose after three days. Emmett did too. After his abductors tortured and killed him, they tied a seventy-pound cotton gin fan around what was left of his neck. Wanting no one to know how much he’d suffered for the sins of his nation, they tossed his remains into the Tallahatchie River. No doubt his were not the only bones there. Find any ground where black people toiled in the Jim Crow South, any body of water that bore witness to their labors, sift the soil, dredge the depths, and you are bound to find some bones.”
Readers, like writers, need room to fail.
It’s one thing for me, one of the whitest guys you’ll ever meet, to read books about systemic American racism; it’s something altogether different to write about those books from a perspective of white privilege. I feel as though I must tread ever so carefully because I have never inhabited that space.
Yes, authors like Jabari Asim and Michelle Alexander and Cornel West inspire me, but not to just sit here and type. I can’t read Asim’s words and then do nothing more than tap out a glowing GoodReads review hoping that my friends will read it and affirm how non-racist I am. We should all want to do more than just pat each other on the back, right? Maybe we need to kick each other in the butt once in a while and say ‘Get out there and march!’ or ‘Get out there and show support!’ or (most importantly) ‘Get out there and VOTE!’
“I’m so tired of waiting,
Aren’t you,
For the world to become good
And beautiful and kind?”
~Langston Hughes, “Tired”
Readers, like writers, need room to fail.
It’s one thing for me, one of the whitest guys you’ll ever meet, to read books about systemic American racism; it’s something altogether different to write about those books from a perspective of white privilege. I feel as though I must tread ever so carefully because I have never inhabited that space.
Yes, authors like Jabari Asim and Michelle Alexander and Cornel West inspire me, but not to just sit here and type. I can’t read Asim’s words and then do nothing more than tap out a glowing GoodReads review hoping that my friends will read it and affirm how non-racist I am. We should all want to do more than just pat each other on the back, right? Maybe we need to kick each other in the butt once in a while and say ‘Get out there and march!’ or ‘Get out there and show support!’ or (most importantly) ‘Get out there and VOTE!’
“I’m so tired of waiting,
Aren’t you,
For the world to become good
And beautiful and kind?”
~Langston Hughes, “Tired”
bookslifeandeverythingnice's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Jabari Asim for an ARC ebook copy to review. As always, an honest review from me.
My rating is actually 3.5/5 stars, but since there aren't half stars I always round up.
We Can’t Breathe describes the injustices and outright atrocities committed against black lives throughout U.S. history. Spanning from before the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement to current day.
A great compilation of important historical moments and movements. Some information I knew, some was new to me, and all was put together to form an impactful book. The author combines facts with anecdotes from his life for the biggest impact and understanding.
However, at times some chapters seemed disjointed from the common theme of the book. It was all relevant important information, but those sections took me awhile to make sense of them, in terms of the greater story. Also some chapters captured my attention more than others, but this is common in many non fiction books.
Overall, an important relevant book that many people should educate themselves with.
My rating is actually 3.5/5 stars, but since there aren't half stars I always round up.
We Can’t Breathe describes the injustices and outright atrocities committed against black lives throughout U.S. history. Spanning from before the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement to current day.
A great compilation of important historical moments and movements. Some information I knew, some was new to me, and all was put together to form an impactful book. The author combines facts with anecdotes from his life for the biggest impact and understanding.
However, at times some chapters seemed disjointed from the common theme of the book. It was all relevant important information, but those sections took me awhile to make sense of them, in terms of the greater story. Also some chapters captured my attention more than others, but this is common in many non fiction books.
Overall, an important relevant book that many people should educate themselves with.
labyrinth_witch's review against another edition
4.0
Exploring themes and tropes of the “absent black father,” artistic appropriation, the centrality of white children in children’s literature, police brutality and the specter of black pain porn, and the various approaches and limitations on liberation movements, this small volume offers wide illumination.
Using poetry and song lyrics to illustrate his points and open the chapters, places the creativity of black culture at the center of this narrative. While he is discussing injustice, he buffers it with the beauty that exists in the culture and the clarity of many of its bards.
I felt it was meant for a black audience who would not only be familiar with many of the names and prominent figures discussed, but would enjoy the compare and contrast style he uses to explore the controversies and receptions of various narratives and works of art by various artists. As a white reader, I found it useful in understanding the complexity of these reactions to various artistic outputs. One message seemed very clear to me- white people need to speak out, but the manner in which they speak out needs to have a sincere loci and humbleness that does not presently exist. And it doesn’t exist because we “pretend to be honest and therefore ha[ve] so little room to move toward hope.” (Audre Lorde)
Most affecting, for me personally, was his critique of white people’s obsession with black peoples’ pain and also the pity that white people can express believing that
Black lives need to look exactly like white people’s lives. Instead, black people’s lives and culture have their own rhythms and nuances that should be appreciated on their own merit and appreciated for building the country, despite all the oppression and attempts to break the communities. Instead of pity, appreciation. Being valued. Being appropriately compensated and recognized, cited and credited. Being in the history books under their own voices and narratives.
Recommend to those who are unfamiliar with these topics as well for those who want a more nuanced understanding of the conversations.
Using poetry and song lyrics to illustrate his points and open the chapters, places the creativity of black culture at the center of this narrative. While he is discussing injustice, he buffers it with the beauty that exists in the culture and the clarity of many of its bards.
I felt it was meant for a black audience who would not only be familiar with many of the names and prominent figures discussed, but would enjoy the compare and contrast style he uses to explore the controversies and receptions of various narratives and works of art by various artists. As a white reader, I found it useful in understanding the complexity of these reactions to various artistic outputs. One message seemed very clear to me- white people need to speak out, but the manner in which they speak out needs to have a sincere loci and humbleness that does not presently exist. And it doesn’t exist because we “pretend to be honest and therefore ha[ve] so little room to move toward hope.” (Audre Lorde)
Most affecting, for me personally, was his critique of white people’s obsession with black peoples’ pain and also the pity that white people can express believing that
Black lives need to look exactly like white people’s lives. Instead, black people’s lives and culture have their own rhythms and nuances that should be appreciated on their own merit and appreciated for building the country, despite all the oppression and attempts to break the communities. Instead of pity, appreciation. Being valued. Being appropriately compensated and recognized, cited and credited. Being in the history books under their own voices and narratives.
Recommend to those who are unfamiliar with these topics as well for those who want a more nuanced understanding of the conversations.
colin_cox's review against another edition
3.0
In We Can't Breathe, Jabari Asim attempts to understand, unpack, and challenge predominant narratives about people of color. In the opening pages of We Can't Breathe, he writes, "In the tradition of black bards known and unknown, we compose with purposeful fury. We muster our candor and eloquence against a master narrative advising us to patiently attend those who continue to cling so eagerly to antiblack racism, and sit with folded hands and hear them out" (16). For Asim, the act of composing includes far more than the writing process itself (what Christopher Hitchens once described as "essaying"). Composing consists of constructing an ethos, an aggressive, uncompromising ethos at that: "It's time to replace the timid discourse of pragmatic centrism with the aggressive language our situation requires" (12). Words like the truth matter, and for Asim, duplicitous language produces duplicitous truths. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Barack Obama catches, at times, a fair amount of Asim's ire.
While I like and appreciate most of We Can't Breathe, it has distinct limitations. These limitations are the product of a genre more than anything else. Even though Asim engages, at times, with race scholarship, We Can't Breathe is polemical writing, which unto itself is not a problem. Asim's chapter, for example, on policing, black bodies, and George Zimmerman is eloquently rendered, but one would be better served by reading Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow. All of this is to say, We Can't Breathe is an excellent primer for any reader interested in an introduction to contemporary race issues, especially in the United States.
While I like and appreciate most of We Can't Breathe, it has distinct limitations. These limitations are the product of a genre more than anything else. Even though Asim engages, at times, with race scholarship, We Can't Breathe is polemical writing, which unto itself is not a problem. Asim's chapter, for example, on policing, black bodies, and George Zimmerman is eloquently rendered, but one would be better served by reading Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow. All of this is to say, We Can't Breathe is an excellent primer for any reader interested in an introduction to contemporary race issues, especially in the United States.
bean_mcmachine's review against another edition
4.0
Asim’s essays are incredible. There isn’t much to say about this book. It is an invaluable read that really gets at the heart of issues that plague the American psyche in this day and age.
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
4.5
This book educated me on several things I previously only knew on a surface level, such as how deep racist policing goes and how it’s connected to neighborhood watch groups. All of it is very real and equally as heartbreaking.
Several comments about “insanity,” “intellectually challenged” and psychotic” (pg 11-12) to describe white supremacy when those are real mental health issues didn’t sit well with me because mental illness/disability does not equal racism. I also didn’t appreciate the comment about the “LGBTQ lifestyle.” (Pg 186)
Though, that did not stop me from appreciating the book for what it was. I will be recommending this book to several people in my life. This is important to read to understand our history of the mistreatment of Black Americans in context.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
libbyajt's review against another edition
5.0
Really fantastic book. Everyone needs to read this, it is both an excellent history lesson and a commentary on the current affairs and culmination of racism in the world. I have put some quotes below that really struck me.
Pg. 2 "What could be more American than pretending truths were self evident when they seldom were?"
Pg. 52 "The idea that African Americans can commit a crime simply by existing is more than just a deeply entrenched racist misconception; it is also an idea rooted in capitalism's need for a cheap, exploitable labor force."
Pg. 56 "Consequently any discussion of black bodies, at least regarding their sojourn into America, must also include the idea of ownership. For black people to claim possession of their bodies, they must also declare themselves persons, capable of agency, language, and independent thought. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that humanizing impulse remains partly indigestible in a nation whose economic foundation depended on the idea that black people were not humans to be respected but property to be maintained. Property cannot be maintained if it dares to move about freely and- even worse- resists being apprehended."
Pg. 174 "It remains a profound and perhaps interminable paradox that African Americans are constantly striving to prove themselves worthy of citizenship in a country that has not proved itself ready for democracy"
Pg. 182-183 "If they ever indulge in the luxury of remaining silent while people of color feel the effects of racial inequality every day, they are not doing all they can. Some white people are unable to hear people of color when we're not singing on stage or dancing in the end zone; they might see our lips moving, but instead of our voices, they hear a torrent of howling and screeching. We need the voices of our allies to penetrate the din, using their whiteness as a lever and a megaphone. If they are not challenging their racist brothers, sisters, friends, and lovers on a daily basis, they are not doing all they can. Annual discussions over Thanksgiving turkey won't do it; they need to take place on the regular until racism is acknowledged and equal opportunity is real."
Pg. 2 "What could be more American than pretending truths were self evident when they seldom were?"
Pg. 52 "The idea that African Americans can commit a crime simply by existing is more than just a deeply entrenched racist misconception; it is also an idea rooted in capitalism's need for a cheap, exploitable labor force."
Pg. 56 "Consequently any discussion of black bodies, at least regarding their sojourn into America, must also include the idea of ownership. For black people to claim possession of their bodies, they must also declare themselves persons, capable of agency, language, and independent thought. Perhaps unsurprisingly, that humanizing impulse remains partly indigestible in a nation whose economic foundation depended on the idea that black people were not humans to be respected but property to be maintained. Property cannot be maintained if it dares to move about freely and- even worse- resists being apprehended."
Pg. 174 "It remains a profound and perhaps interminable paradox that African Americans are constantly striving to prove themselves worthy of citizenship in a country that has not proved itself ready for democracy"
Pg. 182-183 "If they ever indulge in the luxury of remaining silent while people of color feel the effects of racial inequality every day, they are not doing all they can. Some white people are unable to hear people of color when we're not singing on stage or dancing in the end zone; they might see our lips moving, but instead of our voices, they hear a torrent of howling and screeching. We need the voices of our allies to penetrate the din, using their whiteness as a lever and a megaphone. If they are not challenging their racist brothers, sisters, friends, and lovers on a daily basis, they are not doing all they can. Annual discussions over Thanksgiving turkey won't do it; they need to take place on the regular until racism is acknowledged and equal opportunity is real."
jenniechantal's review against another edition
3.0
Several instances of ableist language/thinking were disappointing to see. The suggestion of “white insanity” as a replacement for “white supremacy” for example, in the essay Getting it Twisted. And from the same essay, the idea of calling people who oppose full equality “intellectually challenged...delusional...psychotic”.
A couple other issues. For example the phrase “LGBTQ lifestyles” shows a disconnect and lack of awareness that is surprising in someone who was the editor of the Washington Post for a decade. Also the essay “Color Him Father” starts out with some major “not all men” bullshit: “What about us? [the good men] If were doing what we’re supposed to do, we complain, we are often overlooked.”
Nevertheless these essays are powerful and necessary, interesting and informative. I would still recommend this book but with these notes. 3.5 stars.
A couple other issues. For example the phrase “LGBTQ lifestyles” shows a disconnect and lack of awareness that is surprising in someone who was the editor of the Washington Post for a decade. Also the essay “Color Him Father” starts out with some major “not all men” bullshit: “What about us? [the good men] If were doing what we’re supposed to do, we complain, we are often overlooked.”
Nevertheless these essays are powerful and necessary, interesting and informative. I would still recommend this book but with these notes. 3.5 stars.
highamjosh's review against another edition
5.0
The chapter/essay called "Shooting Negroes" was so clear and well written that I finally, for the first time, understood the claim that racist policing serves corporate interests. The whole book was eye opening for me. The best book I've yet read about blackness in the 21st century.
indielitttttt's review against another edition
4.0
This book was was so good. Asim writes in such a beautiful way, I was mesmerized. This is a great book for folks who may feel turned off by nonfiction, because while it is chock full of information, each essay is weaved in an almost story like manner. Asim plays with history and ties it exquisitely (and tragically) to the present. This was a really great read.
4.5/5⭐️
4.5/5⭐️