Reviews with content warning for Slavery - White Tears/Brown Scars

Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

White Tears/Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad

43 reviews

savvylit's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book thoroughly highlights and unveils several delusions that are common in the greater (white) culture of the Western world. Primary among them is the idea that white women have been unaware or innocent during some of history's worst atrocities. For instance, Hamad draws on examples from colonial America & Australia to show that white women were not only complicit in genocidal behavior but also strong proponents of it.

That's not to say that White Tears/Brown Scars is purely about betrayals of the past - it most certainly is not. Hamad discusses the past only to bolster the truth at the heart of this book: that even in modern life, a myth of white female innocence is just as common and damaging as ever. Using examples from real individuals, her own experience, and the media, Hamad outlines the ways that white women willfully use their tears and presumed "innocence" to dismiss and damage women of color. Time after time, white women have shown that if they're even mildly criticized for racist behavior, they will become belligerently sad and defensive. By taking a concern and transforming it into a personal attack, the focus of the argument then becomes centered solely on the white woman's feelings. If there's any sort of audience, other folks do their best to assuage the sad white woman. Thus, the initial concerns and distress of the person of color become completely forgotten. This is a collective delusion that gaslights women of color.

When white womanhood and its insidious associations of presumed innocence are continually prioritized and promoted, the "feminist" movement has failed. Hamad proves that equality among women is only achievable once white women are willing to acknowledge their complicity in upholding whiteness. Throughout history, whiteness has been a self-perpetuating power structure built on outright lies. We need to recognize the delusions that we continue to uphold & promote and stop centering white feelings in discussions of race.

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jailynxpaige's review against another edition

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emotional informative slow-paced

3.75

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zombiezami's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative tense medium-paced

4.5

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challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

5.0

The book is deep, to-the-point, and exhaustive, explaining the ways in which white women oppress women of color. It also does a wonderful job outlining how white women's vulnerability is both a weakness (under white patriarchy) and a weapon (against people of color)

While I recommend it to all people, I warn you: this is not an easy book. It will call you on your heels and grab your attention. Feeling uncomfortable? Perfect, that's the point.

It focuses on Arab, Native American, Black, Asian (especially East Asian) and Latina women. I found it to be an appropriate mix of historical elements, background, the modern day, and personal experiences. In addition, the chapters are linked in a logical and understandable manner.

I found this book to be exceptionally well-researched and comprehensive. I encourage you to read this wonderful work.

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cooper_reads_books's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

A fantastic analysis and breakdown of white feminism and it’s perpetuation of white supremacy and continual invalidation of the experiences of BIPOC women. It’s not always a easy read, but it is an important and necessary one in order to understand and combat the systems of oppression that exist in our world.

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