crystal_reading's review
4.0
I appreciated hearing Jerkins' perspective on living in the U.S. as a Black woman & feminist. I'm still sitting with and thinking about this book and likely will for quite some time.
cokechukwu's review
2.0
There are fragments of gems here. When Jerkins is good, she’s stellar. The best essay was “Human, Not Black,” about her time studying abroad in Japan and finding anonymity and freedom as a foreigner. But much of the rest is either a disorganized mess, frustratingly superficial, or overly dramatic. Jerkins is obviously a talented writer, but she lacks the maturity and wisdom to really grapple effectively with the issues she raises. I was also surprised by the amount of thinly veiled disdain for black women that aren’t as wealthy and educated as her. On a less substantive note, I found the list essays off-putting and lazy. This is a book, not Buzzfeed. 2.5 stars.
tetiana's review against another edition
4.0
A phenomenal collection of linked essays about living as a black woman in America. Jerkins’s writing voice is incisive, evocative, and honest – she examines race and gender, exposing how misogyny, racism and exclusionary white feminism intertwine into one insidious entity that harms black women in today’s society every day. Very educational.
dominic_t's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This is a really great essay collection. The essays are really personal and vulnerable. I particularly liked "Human, Not Black" and "Who Will Write Us?".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Rape
jennylemon's review
5.0
Vulnerable-honest-thoughtful-and I really feel like she was born to be a writer. I look forward to seeing more from her, especially as she gets older (because omg, it makes me feel old to say, but she is a baby).
nylahnb's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced