Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America by Thomas King

6 reviews

bark's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Racial slurs, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation

musicalpopcorn's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation

Moderate: Child death, Classism, Death, Genocide, Racism, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Rape, and Racial slurs

yellowcape's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Honestly the only reason I deducted a 1/2 ⭐️ is because it took me so long to get through but I must stress this is not at all the thought of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I just found it hard to find the time to read it in what has been a pretty hectic time for me personally. It is very well written and super readable. Coming from someone who has never successfully completed a work of non-fiction until today, that’s some pretty high praise. Just read it honestly it will open your eyes, enrage you, and educate you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Police brutality, Pedophilia, Slavery, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Drug abuse, Death, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Genocide, Drug use, Rape, Religious bigotry, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Murder, Hate crime, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Child death, Child abuse, Classism, and Addiction

kelly_e's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Title: The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America
Author: Thomas King
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: November 13, 2012

T H R E E • W O R D S

Timeless • Sharp • Truthful

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Rich with dark and light, pain and magic, The Inconvenient Indian distills the insights gleaned from Thomas King's critical and personal meditation on what it means to be "Indian" in North America, weaving the curiously circular tale of the relationship between non-Natives and Natives in the centuries since the two first encountered each other. In the process, King refashions old stories about historical events and figures, takes a sideways look at film and pop culture, relates his own complex experiences with activism, and articulates a deep and revolutionary understanding of the cumulative effects of ever-shifting laws and treaties on Native peoples and lands.

💭 T H O U G H T S
I will openly admit it has taken me far too long to read The Inconvenient Indian as this is an important and essential non fiction book about Canadian history. Thomas King details systemic and long-standing injustices facing Indigenous people in North America for generations with clarity and wit.

I listened to the audiobook while following along with the physical book, and I cannot recommend this method more. King illuminates centuries of white colonization that has impacted Indigenous communities. It is accessible, meaning it easy to read and will inspire deep thought and reflection. It is a book for understanding. A book for learning. A book for moving into a better future together. There is something for everyone here.

The Inconvenient Indian was my second King book (my first non fiction) it is evident he is a gifted storyteller. The underlying tone is serious, yet King takes a insightful and playful approach in putting this important part of history out there. There is significant and deeper meaning to the words of the page. Simply a put this is a fantastic piece of Canadian literature and a must read for all.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone with a social conscience
• all Canadians
• book clubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Instead of trying to kill the Indian to save the child, North America might have gone into partnership with the various nation, and, together, they could have come up with an education plan that would have complemented Native cultures and, perhaps, even enriched White culture at the same time."

"We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others."

"It was a pleasant conversation, and, the more we talked, the more I felt as though I were talking to a bowl of Jello." 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Police brutality, Murder, Death, Religious bigotry, Forced institutionalization, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Child death, and Child abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Sexual assault

maddyontheoffbeat's review

hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

For a non-fiction book, this kept my attention surprisingly well. King's writing style is sarcastic and funny, and it's quite the juxtaposition to the heavy content of this book. I did find myself crying at the end just a little, but this book isn't meant to be lighthearted and fun.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Genocide, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and War

Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Trafficking, and Xenophobia

ohlhauc's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

A wry, wrenching account of many major events in the history of colonization of in Canada and the United States. 

If you read much about indigenous history, many of the events may not be new to you but the way that King ties everything together is exceptional. The juxtaposition and connection of different events in both countries, by theme, and apart from the whitewashed account of North American history helped me to better understand the system of colonization, destruction, and harm governments forced upon First Nations and Native Americans.

King's writing is also smart and straightforward, and there were many laugh-out loud moments. His observations are astute and he has a way to point out the ironic and ridiculous assumptions we hold and belief, both serious and trivial.

Definitely recommend if you want an introduction to post-colonization indigenous history in Canada and the United States.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Racism, and Violence