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stephaniediane07's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Murder
lgpiper's review against another edition
5.0
Well, this isn't the book I thought I was getting. I thought I was going to read a semi-autobiographical story of a young, African-American man's growing up in Kansas. My mother grew up in Kansas about the same time, so I was interested in one of those compare and contrast kinds of thingies.
But, I goofed up. This particular book is a collection of short stories that deals with the interactions of black and white people back in the days of Jim Crow and long before any significant civil rights movement. I generally try to avoid short stories, but this collection was well worth reading. Basically, it describes the strange ways in which "white folks" interact with non-white folks, non-white by dint of having some African-American ancestry.
The ways of white folks in the 30s weren't all that different from their ways in the 1950s and 60s, when I was growing up. Actually, they're still not all that different in the 21st century in some ways, although some of the more overt oppression has been muted. But we still have plenty of white folks who actively try to suppress non-white folks (race-targeted voter suppression, maintenance of segregated communities with concomitant lack of access to decent education and health care, etc.). Then, we still have the "better class" of white folks who patronize the non-white folks, and/or find their alleged primitivism amusing, but don't give them credit for being able to have "proper" opinions and preferences. A sad commentary on us all.
But, I goofed up. This particular book is a collection of short stories that deals with the interactions of black and white people back in the days of Jim Crow and long before any significant civil rights movement. I generally try to avoid short stories, but this collection was well worth reading. Basically, it describes the strange ways in which "white folks" interact with non-white folks, non-white by dint of having some African-American ancestry.
The ways of white folks in the 30s weren't all that different from their ways in the 1950s and 60s, when I was growing up. Actually, they're still not all that different in the 21st century in some ways, although some of the more overt oppression has been muted. But we still have plenty of white folks who actively try to suppress non-white folks (race-targeted voter suppression, maintenance of segregated communities with concomitant lack of access to decent education and health care, etc.). Then, we still have the "better class" of white folks who patronize the non-white folks, and/or find their alleged primitivism amusing, but don't give them credit for being able to have "proper" opinions and preferences. A sad commentary on us all.
“the ways of white folks, I mean some white folks, is too much for me. I reckon they must be a few good ones, but most of ’em ain’t good—leastwise they don’t treat me good. And Lawd knows, I ain’t never done nothin’ to ’em, nothin’ a-tall.”
kutklose302's review
5.0
A brilliant collection of short stories of race relations in the 20's and 30's. The stories are very compelling and leave a longing for more. A very good read.
hyla's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
pantehnreads's review
5.0
The ways of white folks is equal parts informative and infuriating. Langston Hughes is a wonderful writer who knows how to craft a narrative. Not only that but his analysis on white supremacy, and racism are spot on. From the diet racists in "Poor Little Black fellow", to the vile Tom Colonel in " Father and Son" Hughes conversations about white folks and their ways is eye opening. Great book.
zellm's review
4.0
Really well written and insightful. These stories capture the realities of racism in the 1920s/30s so vibrantly. I love Hughes' writing style, and although not all of these stories worked for me, a super strong collection overall.
lulureads365's review
5.0
This is a collection of thought provoking short stories that deal with the harsh realities of racism in our country.
biobeetle's review against another edition
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
thesevisionsofjohanna's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
shelfindulgent_'s review
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I was so glad to have read this classic by Langston Hughes. It has inspired me to dive into more classics in 2024. As if I needed any more reason to be angry with white people, this book gave me just that. These are not just stories to me. Someone can read this and think oh wow, what great writing (which is true), and how devastating these situations are (which is also true), but these are things that happened to Black people now and are still happening today. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.