Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by pages_with_panda
Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America by Ijeoma Oluo
emotional
informative
5.0
Just when I thought America couldn't surprise me, I pick up this book and realize how wrong I am.
I loved the way Oluo began from the very inception of America and moved chronology (for the most part) into 2021.
Her stories were easy to follow; from white cowboys to politicians through the ages. She picks specific people who would be the best examples of white mediocrity and tells their stories - bringing to light different racists that I honestly didn't know about it. She's also very careful to cite all her sources - nothing but facts here.
I also appreciated her inclusionary language - This isn't just a book for Black readers, she mentions ways that Indigenous people, all BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA people have been hurt by white mediocracy.
I also loved her writing style not being totally detached from the quotes she was forced to share from racist white men. Her comments and insight made this heavy book a little lighter to read.
100% recommend.
I loved the way Oluo began from the very inception of America and moved chronology (for the most part) into 2021.
Her stories were easy to follow; from white cowboys to politicians through the ages. She picks specific people who would be the best examples of white mediocrity and tells their stories - bringing to light different racists that I honestly didn't know about it. She's also very careful to cite all her sources - nothing but facts here.
I also appreciated her inclusionary language - This isn't just a book for Black readers, she mentions ways that Indigenous people, all BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA people have been hurt by white mediocracy.
I also loved her writing style not being totally detached from the quotes she was forced to share from racist white men. Her comments and insight made this heavy book a little lighter to read.
100% recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Sexism, Police brutality
Minor: Suicide, Mass/school shootings