A review by michaelgreenreads
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith

informative reflective

5.0

I NEED more nonfiction books written by poet-scholars, the writing is amazing. The politics of commemoration are so fascinating!!! I took an entire class on it in university. But even so the chapter on the Angola Prison tour in this book is UNREAL. Just such a fascinating exploration of the ways white people hide from the truth. 

 

The chapter on Blandford Confederate Cemetery is such a fascinating case of cognitive dissonance, lol. I love Clint Smith’s thoughtful breakdown of true history. AND WOW - loved the chapter that made me reconsider the Statue of Liberty and its original abolitionist design.