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kingabee's review against another edition
3.0
It was a very disjointed and chaotic assembly of thoughts, impressions and facts. It reminded me a little of Years by Annie Ernaux, and it's definitely not my preferred style. Similarly to Years, it was a snapshot of a certain demographic in a certain moment in time, referencing many things that would be completely illegible to anyone from the outside if it wasn't for Google. This is not necessarily a bad thing in itself, I just wasn't sure what purpose it all served.
Reading anyone upper-middle class memoir can be tedious, especially it mostly focuses on the upper-middle-classness of it all. And Jefferson very badly does want us to understand her upbringing was upper-middle class.
This might be eye-opening to some people, but in the 90s in post-communist Poland I grew up believing everyone in America is rich. Additionally, I watched Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the Bill Cosby Show, so there was never any doubt in my mind as to the existence of black upper class in America.
There were of course description of racism from white people, and colourism from within the community but nothing seemed deeply explored and left me wanting more. Negroland doesn't work as a memoir either. It's just a description of the author's school days and her pop-cultural obsessions and fascinations (described now in an intellectual manner). The whole thing seemed detached. We never get to know the author on an intimate level, the way you would expect from a memoir. There doesn't seem to be any arc to her story.
As a memoir it was boring, and as a non-fiction book about the black upper-middle class it was chaotic and unruly.
Even though I enjoyed bits of it here and there, all in all it wasn't a satisfying read I had been looking forward to.
Reading anyone upper-middle class memoir can be tedious, especially it mostly focuses on the upper-middle-classness of it all. And Jefferson very badly does want us to understand her upbringing was upper-middle class.
This might be eye-opening to some people, but in the 90s in post-communist Poland I grew up believing everyone in America is rich. Additionally, I watched Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the Bill Cosby Show, so there was never any doubt in my mind as to the existence of black upper class in America.
There were of course description of racism from white people, and colourism from within the community but nothing seemed deeply explored and left me wanting more. Negroland doesn't work as a memoir either. It's just a description of the author's school days and her pop-cultural obsessions and fascinations (described now in an intellectual manner). The whole thing seemed detached. We never get to know the author on an intimate level, the way you would expect from a memoir. There doesn't seem to be any arc to her story.
As a memoir it was boring, and as a non-fiction book about the black upper-middle class it was chaotic and unruly.
Even though I enjoyed bits of it here and there, all in all it wasn't a satisfying read I had been looking forward to.
jeweleemc's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.25
The format of the book was hard to understand at first, once you get into it, it gets easier
amjammi's review against another edition
4.0
An amalgam of social history, literary criticism, and personal experience - this book is unlike any other memoir I've read.
antoinettelori's review against another edition
3.0
Negroland
Margo's memoir dives into her life experiences of growing up in the suburbs of Chicago during the tumultuous 60s and 70s. Despite belonging to a well-off family, Margo's family faced the harsh reality of racism and the constant pressure to fit into a society that was not always welcoming of people of color. Through her storytelling, she sheds light on the fact that one's social status does not exempt them from being seen and treated as a black person, and she highlights the existence of various terms used to describe the elite black community, such as the colored aristocracy, colored elite, colored 400, 400, blue vein society, big families, old families, old settlers, pioneers Negro society, black society, Negro, black, African-American upper class or elite.
In her memoir, Margo also touches on her feelings of being white-passing, which is still a prevalent issue today. She discusses the evolution of relaxers, natural hair, and weaves and how they have impacted the black community's perception of beauty and acceptance. Ultimately, Margo emphasizes the constant need to fit in, which is something that many people of color can relate to and understand.
Margo's memoir dives into her life experiences of growing up in the suburbs of Chicago during the tumultuous 60s and 70s. Despite belonging to a well-off family, Margo's family faced the harsh reality of racism and the constant pressure to fit into a society that was not always welcoming of people of color. Through her storytelling, she sheds light on the fact that one's social status does not exempt them from being seen and treated as a black person, and she highlights the existence of various terms used to describe the elite black community, such as the colored aristocracy, colored elite, colored 400, 400, blue vein society, big families, old families, old settlers, pioneers Negro society, black society, Negro, black, African-American upper class or elite.
In her memoir, Margo also touches on her feelings of being white-passing, which is still a prevalent issue today. She discusses the evolution of relaxers, natural hair, and weaves and how they have impacted the black community's perception of beauty and acceptance. Ultimately, Margo emphasizes the constant need to fit in, which is something that many people of color can relate to and understand.
jasminedaria's review against another edition
I couldn’t understand the direction of the book. The chapters were weirdly laid out, did not make a clear argument, and did not have a general direction. I may try again at some later point, but this book is not for me right now.
brassnbooks's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
The childhood parts felt like a solid 5 stars but the adult sections especially the last two chapters were hard to read
I'm not really sure the purpose of this book either?
The childhood parts were a good insight in like in the 50s being upper(middle) class black people but then the rest feels like a lot of anything?
There's not much to connect to that the depression section was boring
I wouldn't really recommend it to others but I didn't hate the book it's just hella confusing on purpose or what the author wanted me to feel or take away if anything at all
I'm not really sure the purpose of this book either?
The childhood parts were a good insight in like in the 50s being upper(middle) class black people but then the rest feels like a lot of anything?
There's not much to connect to that
I wouldn't really recommend it to others but I didn't hate the book it's just hella confusing on purpose or what the author wanted me to feel or take away if anything at all
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
lemonmarch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
emeraldgarnet's review against another edition
2.0
The earlier sections where the author discussed her young childhood are the best parts. As the author describes more recent events, the writing grows disjointed.