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leannanecdote's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Racial slurs, Slavery, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Racism, Colonisation, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide and War
erinwolf1997's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Slavery and Racism
Moderate: Violence and Antisemitism
theuncannydani's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Islamophobia, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Police brutality, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Slavery, Drug abuse, Hate crime, and Trafficking
mandkips's review
5.0
Graphic: Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery and Violence
Minor: War, Alcoholism, and Genocide
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
3.75
This was a very easy text to get through, I read it within one sitting.
Baldwin’s writing is very easy to get along with, being informative, autobiographical and reflective.
This text gave me a lot to think on and I will likely read it again and explore Baldwin’s writings further.
Graphic: Antisemitism, Racism, Addiction, Alcohol, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, Hate crime, and Slavery
belladonnashrike's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Racial slurs, Slavery, and Racism
meishallaneous's review against another edition
Minor: Antisemitism, Drug use, Genocide, Police brutality, Racism, Slavery, and War
lucinotlucy's review against another edition
4.25
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racism, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Violence, and War
samchase112's review against another edition
4.5
If we--and now I mean the relatively conscious whites and the relatively conscious blacks, who must, like lovers, insist on, or create, the consciousness of the others--do not falter in our duty now, we may be able, handful that we are, to end the racial nightmare, and achieve our country, and change the history of the world. If we do not now dare everything, the fulfillment of that prophecy, re-created from the Bible in song by a slave, is upon us: "God gave Noah the rainbow sign, No more water, the fire next time!"
James Baldwin's essay is a masterpiece, and should absolutely be read by every American. The personal, intelligent nature of his prose is incredibly powerful. There is really no describing this book; it must be experienced.
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Child abuse
andreiaoh's review against another edition
4.5
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