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calamity_114's review against another edition
5.0
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley.
What a beautiful, beautiful book. The phrase 'Don't Touch My Hair', is by now incredibly familiar and comes up in most discussions about racism.
Emma Dabiri takes this one step further by drawing attention to the cultural and historical context of black hair. Mostly framed against both pre- and post-colonial African history, Dabiri also includes more familiar (read: Eurocentric) ways in which attitudes to black hair affect day to day lives.
Black hair is the topic of this book but this is not at all limiting. Dabiri deftly draws together the experiences of slaves in America, the mathematical processes of weaves and the computational abilities abound in pre-colonial Africa. All underlined by black hair.
I was delighted to read a book on this subject by a black Irish author. Dabiri offers some insight into growing up as a mixed-race child in Ireland, a narrative that I was unfamiliar with. I was not without white guilt while reading this book, but that's to be expected.
I really loved this book. To me, it was the reminiscent of the Devil Wears Prada scene in which Meryl Streep explains the context of Anne Hathaway's blue jumper. My basic understanding of not touching black hair has been blown wide open. Dabiri uses extensive secondary sources, giving it the sheen of an academic paper and providing tons of further reading for those wishing to know more. I for one can't wait to read more.
What a beautiful, beautiful book. The phrase 'Don't Touch My Hair', is by now incredibly familiar and comes up in most discussions about racism.
Emma Dabiri takes this one step further by drawing attention to the cultural and historical context of black hair. Mostly framed against both pre- and post-colonial African history, Dabiri also includes more familiar (read: Eurocentric) ways in which attitudes to black hair affect day to day lives.
Black hair is the topic of this book but this is not at all limiting. Dabiri deftly draws together the experiences of slaves in America, the mathematical processes of weaves and the computational abilities abound in pre-colonial Africa. All underlined by black hair.
I was delighted to read a book on this subject by a black Irish author. Dabiri offers some insight into growing up as a mixed-race child in Ireland, a narrative that I was unfamiliar with. I was not without white guilt while reading this book, but that's to be expected.
I really loved this book. To me, it was the reminiscent of the Devil Wears Prada scene in which Meryl Streep explains the context of Anne Hathaway's blue jumper. My basic understanding of not touching black hair has been blown wide open. Dabiri uses extensive secondary sources, giving it the sheen of an academic paper and providing tons of further reading for those wishing to know more. I for one can't wait to read more.
calamity_114's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful, beautiful book.
The phrase 'Don't Touch My Hair', is by now incredibly familiar and comes up in most discussions about racism.
Emma Dabiri takes this one step further by drawing attention to the cultural and historical context of black hair. Mostly framed against both pre- and post-colonial African history, Dabiri also includes more familiar (read: Eurocentric) ways in which attitudes to black hair affect day to day lives.
Black hair is the topic of this book but this is not at all limiting. Dabiri deftly draws together the experiences of slaves in America, the mathematical processes of weaves and the computational abilities abound in pre-colonial Africa. All underlined by black hair.
I was delighted to read a book on this subject by a black Irish author. Dabiri offers some insight into growing up as a mixed-race child in Ireland, a narrative that I was unfamiliar with. I was not without white guilt while reading this book, but that's to be expected.
I really loved this book. To me, it was the reminiscent of the Devil Wears Prada scene in which Meryl Streep explains the context of Anne Hathaway's blue jumper. My basic understanding of not touching black hair has been blown wide open. Dabiri uses extensive secondary sources, giving it the sheen of an academic paper and providing tons of further reading for those wishing to know more. I for one can't wait to read more.
The phrase 'Don't Touch My Hair', is by now incredibly familiar and comes up in most discussions about racism.
Emma Dabiri takes this one step further by drawing attention to the cultural and historical context of black hair. Mostly framed against both pre- and post-colonial African history, Dabiri also includes more familiar (read: Eurocentric) ways in which attitudes to black hair affect day to day lives.
Black hair is the topic of this book but this is not at all limiting. Dabiri deftly draws together the experiences of slaves in America, the mathematical processes of weaves and the computational abilities abound in pre-colonial Africa. All underlined by black hair.
I was delighted to read a book on this subject by a black Irish author. Dabiri offers some insight into growing up as a mixed-race child in Ireland, a narrative that I was unfamiliar with. I was not without white guilt while reading this book, but that's to be expected.
I really loved this book. To me, it was the reminiscent of the Devil Wears Prada scene in which Meryl Streep explains the context of Anne Hathaway's blue jumper. My basic understanding of not touching black hair has been blown wide open. Dabiri uses extensive secondary sources, giving it the sheen of an academic paper and providing tons of further reading for those wishing to know more. I for one can't wait to read more.
myebonyqueen's review against another edition
2.0
This book for me is hard to rate and review and since I won a ARC (Yes it took me a minute to get to it) I feel obligated to give a written review.
1. I judge All books by it cover. My first issue with the book is the fact the author darken up her image on the cover. The author have very strong and unique facial structure so it’s no doubt her profile. Emma Dabiri is a fair skin and biracial woman from Ireland. Is this Blackface or Blackfishing?
2. The US title. This is her personal story, yes she included research but still her hair journey. So, a better title would have been My Tangled History of Biracial hair.
3. This is very African American focused. The author is not culturally or ethnicity AA. I understand that Black is interchangeable with African American. But, I thought the book biggest focus will be AFRICA not a Irish person telling me about my culture and people.
3b I was following along with the audio so it was weird hearing a non-American accent using African American slang and butcher AAVE. Odd
4. It was some times hard to follow
The GOOD
1. The history and facts. I think this book is good starting point for someone that doesn’t have any knowledge on this topic.
2. I do feel this was written in love.
3. The information, history and facts that was not AA focus. I never heard of the term picky and still really don’t understand the meaning.
4. The ending chapters discussing Math.
I have more thoughts and feelings …
1. I judge All books by it cover. My first issue with the book is the fact the author darken up her image on the cover. The author have very strong and unique facial structure so it’s no doubt her profile. Emma Dabiri is a fair skin and biracial woman from Ireland. Is this Blackface or Blackfishing?
2. The US title. This is her personal story, yes she included research but still her hair journey. So, a better title would have been My Tangled History of Biracial hair.
3. This is very African American focused. The author is not culturally or ethnicity AA. I understand that Black is interchangeable with African American. But, I thought the book biggest focus will be AFRICA not a Irish person telling me about my culture and people.
3b I was following along with the audio so it was weird hearing a non-American accent using African American slang and butcher AAVE. Odd
4. It was some times hard to follow
The GOOD
1. The history and facts. I think this book is good starting point for someone that doesn’t have any knowledge on this topic.
2. I do feel this was written in love.
3. The information, history and facts that was not AA focus. I never heard of the term picky and still really don’t understand the meaning.
4. The ending chapters discussing Math.
I have more thoughts and feelings …
valeisbleu's review against another edition
Amazing book, heartbreaking, inspiring, with the much needed awareness. many takeaways, but I'll have to get back at a later date.
alextheo's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Took me a minute to get through but it was accessible and Informative. Shouldn't have to recommend!