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caidyn's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.25
A short book to read slowly to take it all in. I think the biggest thing is that, about sixty years later, so many of the things Baldwin wrote about are still problems today.
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
emzconklin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Minor: Racial slurs
keeganrb's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence
ash445's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Excellent writing. I will definitely be rereading a print edition of this (I listened to the audiobook). It also discusses other perspectives of Black liberation and how Baldwin disagrees with them, so it provides a helping hand in developing an understanding of different frameworks of Black liberation. Something that stood out to me throughout the entire thing was the amount sympathy (and at times) pity Baldwin has for others. His letter for his nephew brought tears to my eyes. It showed an immense amount of love.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, and Violence
hanakograce's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
lifeoflauren's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
whattaylorreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
andreiaoh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Did Mr Baldwin travel forwards in time, rummage around in my silly little brain and pluck all my emotions, thoughts, (self)reflections and ramblings out to scribble it all down? It sure feels that way.
For one, his prose is wonderful, engaging yet also somewhat poetic. There are few writers that truly make me stop and think deeply about myself, allowing me to do a deep introspection on my thoughts, my life, and my beliefs.
My soul was singing as I read so much of this, but particularly this passage: "It demands great spiritual resilience not to hate the hater whose foot is on your neck, and an even greater miracle of perception and charity not to teach your child to hate."
For such a short body of work, I felt so much whilst reading these two essays. I commiserated, I laughed, I felt pride, anger, frustration, and understanding. As a black woman who considers myself well read on the topic of (American) anti-blackness and racism, as well as my own lived experiences, I did not go into this ignorant, yet I feel as if I came out with new perspectives and knowledge. As an example, the connection between the de-colonisation of Africa in the mid-twentieth century and the repeal of Segregation Acts in the USA (and other racial laws) was something I was obviously aware of yet the relationship between them didn't really click before. Baldwin posits that this decision made by the American government was not out of a sudden need to repent for actions against African-Americans, or for "progresses" sake; rather, it was a decision undertaken as a desperate act to ensure that White America's power remained on top, globally. In a world where majority "Black" nations were becoming (arguably) "independent", blatant acts of systemic oppression on their own black population via laws and other institutions would only prove to destabilise the nation in the long run. It was not an act of kindness, rather political necessity.
This was a fantastic introduction to James Baldwin's works and I can't wait to read so much more of it. An incredibly powerful and insightful read.
For one, his prose is wonderful, engaging yet also somewhat poetic. There are few writers that truly make me stop and think deeply about myself, allowing me to do a deep introspection on my thoughts, my life, and my beliefs.
My soul was singing as I read so much of this, but particularly this passage: "It demands great spiritual resilience not to hate the hater whose foot is on your neck, and an even greater miracle of perception and charity not to teach your child to hate."
For such a short body of work, I felt so much whilst reading these two essays. I commiserated, I laughed, I felt pride, anger, frustration, and understanding. As a black woman who considers myself well read on the topic of (American) anti-blackness and racism, as well as my own lived experiences, I did not go into this ignorant, yet I feel as if I came out with new perspectives and knowledge. As an example, the connection between the de-colonisation of Africa in the mid-twentieth century and the repeal of Segregation Acts in the USA (and other racial laws) was something I was obviously aware of yet the relationship between them didn't really click before. Baldwin posits that this decision made by the American government was not out of a sudden need to repent for actions against African-Americans, or for "progresses" sake; rather, it was a decision undertaken as a desperate act to ensure that White America's power remained on top, globally. In a world where majority "Black" nations were becoming (arguably) "independent", blatant acts of systemic oppression on their own black population via laws and other institutions would only prove to destabilise the nation in the long run. It was not an act of kindness, rather political necessity.
This was a fantastic introduction to James Baldwin's works and I can't wait to read so much more of it. An incredibly powerful and insightful read.
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Slavery, Xenophobia, Rape, and Police brutality
abithereader's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and Slavery
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