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Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'
March: Book One (Oversized Edition) by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin
63 reviews
finnft4's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This is an incredibly eye-opening account to an aspect of American history that is often glossed-over and overlooked. As someone who grew up in the US, segregation is often framed as milder than it truly was - thus perpetuating the "flawless, good country" narrative that I, at least, grew up hearing. Photos are often altered (i.e. made black and white) in order to create the illusion that Jim Crow laws were longer ago than they actually were. It is discussed, of course - but not in-depth. It is acknowledged, but never shown or elaborated on. Think "America was pretty racist, but now it's not! Rosa Parks sat on a bus that one time. Also, MLK!". That was about the extent of what I was taught in school.
I feel ashamed to admit that I only knew of a few of these important figures that are shown in this book - prior to reading, I knew almost nothing about the storyteller himself, John Lewis. This is a deeply unfortunate situation, and I truly believe the American school system has failed its students tremendously. THIS is the history that Americans should learn about. They should learn about HISTORY - not the glorified, nationalistic, patriotic sludge that is regurgitated into textbooks. Textbooks which never mention Native American genocide, never go into depth with the horrors of slavery, never speak of the reality behind the Manifest Destiny. This version of "history" is the reason I've always disliked the subject - it is more concerned with telling younger generations how to feel about their country, skipping the unsavory, hoping that misdeeds will eventually be lost to the void of time, and overhyping the rest. History itself holds a level of importance that I don't believe I'll ever fully grasp - but it is often faultily misconstrued.
It is crucial that we see the reality. We should see the full weight of our past. It is the only way we can grow as people.
My only critique is that it wasn't longer. The entire trilogy is fantastic, jaw-dropping, and inspirational. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who harbors even the vaguest interest in civil rights - and even if you don't, there is still so much to take away from this book.
I feel ashamed to admit that I only knew of a few of these important figures that are shown in this book - prior to reading, I knew almost nothing about the storyteller himself, John Lewis. This is a deeply unfortunate situation, and I truly believe the American school system has failed its students tremendously. THIS is the history that Americans should learn about. They should learn about HISTORY - not the glorified, nationalistic, patriotic sludge that is regurgitated into textbooks. Textbooks which never mention Native American genocide, never go into depth with the horrors of slavery, never speak of the reality behind the Manifest Destiny. This version of "history" is the reason I've always disliked the subject - it is more concerned with telling younger generations how to feel about their country, skipping the unsavory, hoping that misdeeds will eventually be lost to the void of time, and overhyping the rest. History itself holds a level of importance that I don't believe I'll ever fully grasp - but it is often faultily misconstrued.
It is crucial that we see the reality. We should see the full weight of our past. It is the only way we can grow as people.
My only critique is that it wasn't longer. The entire trilogy is fantastic, jaw-dropping, and inspirational. I absolutely recommend it to anyone who harbors even the vaguest interest in civil rights - and even if you don't, there is still so much to take away from this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
puggreader's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
tanyapaquet's review
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs and Violence
thesaltiestlibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Violence
inspireflyreads's review against another edition
4.5
I enjoyed it and I like how it was set up. The only thing that stopped it from the 5 was the black and white choice for the illustrations. I wish there had been some color or something...it's not super eye-catching which is what kids want. It also has a few word issues that could trigger people, but appropriate to the time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Racial slurs
cassielaj's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Animal death
hayleyvharrington's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Classism
marisacarpico's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Saw a pile of fresh copies sitting in my library and decided to read one while I waited for them to find a book in storage (they didn’t).
Well told. Doesn’t suffer from the choppy storytelling you sometimes get when a non-comic writer dives into the genre. Lewis’s story is inherently compelling and this doesn’t get in the way of that. The structure is rather brilliant really. The constant contrast always emphasizing the progression Lewis worked to see in his lifetime.
Well told. Doesn’t suffer from the choppy storytelling you sometimes get when a non-comic writer dives into the genre. Lewis’s story is inherently compelling and this doesn’t get in the way of that. The structure is rather brilliant really. The constant contrast always emphasizing the progression Lewis worked to see in his lifetime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
erinmjustice's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
keeganrb's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Hate crime and Police brutality