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A review by emmaito
Just Us: An American Conversation by Claudia Rankine
4.0
"I sometimes joke that my optimism has been stolen by white supremacy.
Don't be burdened by white supremacy, my friend responds.
The 'toomuchness' of our present reality sometimes gives rise to humor but could occasion disassociation, detachment from engagement, a refusal to engage in our democractic practices given how structural and invasive white supremacy remains.
A white supremacist orientation is packaged as universal thinking and objective seeing, which insists on the erasure of anyone - my actual presence, my humanity - who disrupts its reflection. Its form of being.
The idea that one can stand apart is a nice fantasy but we can't afford fantasies."
claudia rankine's just us: an american conversation is a powerful book that requires a lot of sitting with it. i loved the format of this book, which felt so unique. claudia rankine shares with us & reflects on her experiences & thoughts on whiteness in the United States through not just her excellent writing, but also through poetry, photos, & historical documents. my copy is dotted with tabs, pointing to not just memorable quotes, but also to sources that rankine gives for deeper understanding. this book is not a quick read, but it is well-worth the time.
Don't be burdened by white supremacy, my friend responds.
The 'toomuchness' of our present reality sometimes gives rise to humor but could occasion disassociation, detachment from engagement, a refusal to engage in our democractic practices given how structural and invasive white supremacy remains.
A white supremacist orientation is packaged as universal thinking and objective seeing, which insists on the erasure of anyone - my actual presence, my humanity - who disrupts its reflection. Its form of being.
The idea that one can stand apart is a nice fantasy but we can't afford fantasies."
claudia rankine's just us: an american conversation is a powerful book that requires a lot of sitting with it. i loved the format of this book, which felt so unique. claudia rankine shares with us & reflects on her experiences & thoughts on whiteness in the United States through not just her excellent writing, but also through poetry, photos, & historical documents. my copy is dotted with tabs, pointing to not just memorable quotes, but also to sources that rankine gives for deeper understanding. this book is not a quick read, but it is well-worth the time.