Reviews

White Tears Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Colour by Ruby Hamad

chamomiledaydreams's review against another edition

informative sad medium-paced

4.0

I like the way this book is structured.  It combines dense topics such as the historical origins of racism with modern examples that demonstrate prejudice in action, such as the backlash against the casting of Rue in the first Hunger Games movie.  Not to mention there were anecdotes and other personal stories that added a sense of urgency to the discussion.  Real people all over the world are being impacted by this; it's not just fictional characters whose stories exemplify how cruel people can be.  

The audiobook edition in particular is fantastic, and I found each chapter to be engaging and easy to follow.  I would highly recommend this title to anyone interested in learning more about the intersection of race and gender and how many people feel disillusioned with those who, by all means, should be their allies rather than yet another reason why they need support.

readingrobin's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

An absolutely required read for those studying feminism or any kind of gender studies. It is imperative to get an intersectional perspective on these issues due to the history of women of color going unheard in the fight for women's rights as well as the constant abuse of power shown by privileged white women. I was familiar with many of the concepts that Hamad described: white woman tears, white fragility, various stereotypes, and the constant attacks on women of color's agency. But this is the first time I've read these topics in depth and with their historical context. It goes a long way in realizing the racism, sexism, and intolerance that Western society was built and currently thrives on. Hamad uses very accessible language to get her points across, which I appreciated since I find it hard to focus on nonfiction usually. 

This book definitely clarified ideas surrounding white women feminism and ways to address the behavior that comes from it. As someone always trying to be better, I'm always looking for reading material to help me better understand these issues and this book really filled a gap in my education. 

breadandmushrooms's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

emjokisch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative tense medium-paced

4.25

ideezy's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative fast-paced

4.0

ttweise's review against another edition

5.0

“White women have to acknowledge the unfair advantage their race has given them not just in the sense they have white privilege, but in the sense they have participated in a system where their womanhood is itself a privilege and a weapon.”

maxycat's review against another edition

5.0

Ruby Hamad manages to articulate some of the most complex and polarising concepts and experience of modern race politics.

A truly important and informative read for everyone but particularly white women.

dmirassou's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

katnortonwriter's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Definitely worth reading. I’ve encountered a lot of these ideas before, but the way Hamad organized and explores them is extremely helpful and challenges white readers to not just say, “I’ll do better in the future,” but to think about what “better” looks like and why it’s so necessary.

ringfinder33's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.5