Scan barcode
musaup's review against another edition
5.0
"Afropessimism offers an analytic lens that labors as a corrective to Humanist assumptive logics. It provides a theoretical apparatus that allows Black people to not have to be burdened by the ruse of analogy -- because analogy mystifies rather than clarifies, Black suffering."
"Afropessimism gives us the freedom to say out loud what we would otherwise whisper or deny: that no blacks are in the world, but, by the same token there is no world without Blacks."
"Afropessimism offers a structural problem but offers no structural solution to that problem."
Most people are "Afraid of a problem in which everyone is complicit and for which no sentence can be written that would explain how to remedy it. Most people, even profound intellectuals, are emotionally unable to wallow in a problem that has no solution. Black suffering is that problem. And suffering without a solution is a hard thing to hold, especially if that suffering fuels the pyschic health of the rest of the world."
"Afropessimism gives us the freedom to say out loud what we would otherwise whisper or deny: that no blacks are in the world, but, by the same token there is no world without Blacks."
"Afropessimism offers a structural problem but offers no structural solution to that problem."
Most people are "Afraid of a problem in which everyone is complicit and for which no sentence can be written that would explain how to remedy it. Most people, even profound intellectuals, are emotionally unable to wallow in a problem that has no solution. Black suffering is that problem. And suffering without a solution is a hard thing to hold, especially if that suffering fuels the pyschic health of the rest of the world."
liminaljest's review against another edition
3.0
half memoir, half "metatheory," overall an engaging format! found it interesting that wilderson flattens gender and class experiences--though that Is part of his thesis--as a second-gen Ph.D, especially when those other identity markers really define who are most often victims of america's police state. afropessimism (this book, at least) starts and ends in the ivory tower.
dscarlton's review against another edition
5.0
Words can and also cannot describe how timely this read was. Beautifully written
apollonium's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, and Rape
hajile11's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.0
An intense, informative read of crucial topics. A book that I wish I was able to discuss in a classroom setting. Wilderson's use of memoir and storytelling to explain theoretical concepts is great. However, I do wish there was a section of pure theory outlined.
effectordinary's review
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Afropessimist theory clearly conveyed through narrative. The prose and storytelling are unforgettable. Life-changing.