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A review by low_keybookish
Which Side Are You On by Ryan Lee Wong
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was EVERYTHING. Set in the context of Akai Gurley's murder(with a Chinese American cop), the book addresses real events (also the LA Uprising). This case shows the gap between conservative and progressive Asian Americans and who is trying to build interracial coalitions with Black and Brown communities (or looking out for ourselves). The main character is a student at Columbia, and is struggling with his privileges, while learning about white supremacy in real time!
The author is witty, with lines that cracked me up and are a little too real (as someone in higher education). I felt for my student activist self who was incredibly angry (like the main character).
Not only does the book talk about Asian American activism and the messiness of our racial politics, but also highlights intergenerational dynamics.
There are many accurate descriptions of LA Koreatown... from restaurants, to getting a hair cut (and the gossip that proliferates during this ritual) and getting a body scrub (dead skin)!
This book was a love letter and honors Asian Americans who are doing the work, with the realities and contradictions of being activists. How do we do self care? What is the limit between ideology and real life?
This book is going into my personal collection--and I don't keep a lot of books long-term! What a beautiful book, and def recommend it!
The author is witty, with lines that cracked me up and are a little too real (as someone in higher education). I felt for my student activist self who was incredibly angry (like the main character).
Not only does the book talk about Asian American activism and the messiness of our racial politics, but also highlights intergenerational dynamics.
There are many accurate descriptions of LA Koreatown... from restaurants, to getting a hair cut (and the gossip that proliferates during this ritual) and getting a body scrub (dead skin)!
This book was a love letter and honors Asian Americans who are doing the work, with the realities and contradictions of being activists. How do we do self care? What is the limit between ideology and real life?
This book is going into my personal collection--and I don't keep a lot of books long-term! What a beautiful book, and def recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Minor: Sexism