jerihurd's review
3.0
I'm not a big proponent of the excesses of critical race theory. Not everything is about race--economic class and demonizing of the poor often play an equally large role, though there is definite overlap. Nor should we entirely judge past peoples and events by current moral and ethical standards. People do things that were courageous and progressive for their time, even if they fall far short of what we'd hope for today. Our current liberal heroes will be similarly judged in the future. For all he repeatedly claims the book isn't a history, the lack of referencing for his more bold revisioning of history make this problematic. Finally, I'm also very disappointed in Reynolds tone in this--for me it comes across as patronizing and trivializes the subject--but maybe I'm picturing an older reader (teens) than was intended. (Though I will say, his comment that Thomas Jefferson was the first white person to say "I have black friends" made me laugh out loud.)
dlberglund's review
4.0
More! More partnerships between these two!
I loved the further reading list at the end, too.
I loved the further reading list at the end, too.
clementineecho's review
4.0
I think that this is a history book (*cough* sorry not a history book) directed at a middle school aged audience meant to fill in whitewashed curriculum and that is what it does.
That being said, I don't think it is without bias or a complete history as others have critiqued it for not being.. but if you are teaching history, aren't you teaching to look at events from a variety of points of view? Wouldn't this book just be part of the narrative the students should be studying?
There were definitely parts of this book that made me reflect and shift my thinking and perspective.
Anyway, yep, good read.
That being said, I don't think it is without bias or a complete history as others have critiqued it for not being.. but if you are teaching history, aren't you teaching to look at events from a variety of points of view? Wouldn't this book just be part of the narrative the students should be studying?
There were definitely parts of this book that made me reflect and shift my thinking and perspective.
Anyway, yep, good read.
sandraagee's review
4.0
This book gets 5 stars for style. Jason Reynolds has taken Ibram X. Kendi's book [b:Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America|25898216|Stamped from the Beginning The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America|Ibram X. Kendi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440457523l/25898216._SY75_.jpg|45781103] and rehashed it with his own distinct voice. It's prose and poetry and conversation all in one, and it makes the reader want to keep turning the pages - or in my case, listening to the audiobook expertly narrated by the author himself.
I deduct a star because while I understand that this book has been distilled down to make it more palatable to a teen audience, as I was reading/listening I kept wanting to know more. The information in this book presents a good overview of the history of race in America, and that may be enough for some. But other readers like myself might be left with questions and a desire to know more, which I suppose isn't an entirely bad thing.
I deduct a star because while I understand that this book has been distilled down to make it more palatable to a teen audience, as I was reading/listening I kept wanting to know more. The information in this book presents a good overview of the history of race in America, and that may be enough for some. But other readers like myself might be left with questions and a desire to know more, which I suppose isn't an entirely bad thing.
brookmeyer8's review
5.0
This book is a must read for every teen (or just every person). I sometimes sit through history class and day dream in school waiting for the day to end, but Reynolds and Kendi wrote a book that is so easy to read and understand. There are no excuses that the teacher has a monotone voice or your tired of being at school reading out of a textbook with microscopic font size. The reason I say every teen should read this is because it’s formatted in a way that is easy to understand and read. I recommend this to everyone, but especially those who are still trying to understand the impact of racism, not only in the past, but in the present. Read this to know what it means to be anti racist (someone who truly loves) and not just an assimilationist. Add this to your want to read shelf. right now. 5/5 stars.
graciesicker's review
4.0
When I read it, it was hard to put back down. But when I did put it down, it was hard to pick back up. It was fantastically written and uncovers the untold history of Black Americans and the endless racism they face. It works to give a better understanding of the past and how we have yet to change despite the constant efforts. However, it is a heavy read because of this and you need to be in the mood (which is borderline wrong to say because as a white person, I can close the book of racism, but Black people don’t have that luxury). You more so just need to be ready for history which I’m not that great with sadly.
But I think they absolutely smashed sharing history that is over shadowed and make change seem even more important and vital. There were so many facts and stories that I had no clue about - BLM was started by 3 Black women, two of which are queer. Had no clue - I only knew the reason it started. With that, there’s a huge focus using the feminism lens and it give credit to women who aren’t often credited which is beautiful and important.
Overall, loved it - will be trying to use it in my classroom.
But I think they absolutely smashed sharing history that is over shadowed and make change seem even more important and vital. There were so many facts and stories that I had no clue about - BLM was started by 3 Black women, two of which are queer. Had no clue - I only knew the reason it started. With that, there’s a huge focus using the feminism lens and it give credit to women who aren’t often credited which is beautiful and important.
Overall, loved it - will be trying to use it in my classroom.
amymck05's review
5.0
Another great book from my Banned Books book club. It's a perspective I needed to hear and it was well told.