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A review by barizley
Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood by Maureen Ryan
5.0
Well researched and well written, with just enough snark to make me laugh and keep going instead of rage-throwing my phone into a river. I appreciated how much she shared the mic, highlighting stories and observations from people from marginalized communities. I also loved her ideas about restorative justice and other ways forward.
I read a lot of “awful people being awful” nonfiction and I cannot remember one that dedicated this much energy to clear paths forward. Even if the awful people in question here do not read this book or take any of the prescribed steps toward betterment for themselves or restitution for others (of course they will not), there’s so much that can be translated to other arenas. As a museum professional, I see a lot of parallels between Hollywood and the museum world. Yikes. The chapters dedicated to forging a better way felt productive and hopeful, even if they are a fantasy.
I read a lot of “awful people being awful” nonfiction and I cannot remember one that dedicated this much energy to clear paths forward. Even if the awful people in question here do not read this book or take any of the prescribed steps toward betterment for themselves or restitution for others (of course they will not), there’s so much that can be translated to other arenas. As a museum professional, I see a lot of parallels between Hollywood and the museum world. Yikes. The chapters dedicated to forging a better way felt productive and hopeful, even if they are a fantasy.