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terrastrial's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Worth a second read, especially after learning more historical and religious context. A short read, but packed full of so many amazingly crafted thoughts and passages that I highlighted half the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence
keeganrb's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Violence
ash445's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Excellent writing. I will definitely be rereading a print edition of this (I listened to the audiobook). It also discusses other perspectives of Black liberation and how Baldwin disagrees with them, so it provides a helping hand in developing an understanding of different frameworks of Black liberation. Something that stood out to me throughout the entire thing was the amount sympathy (and at times) pity Baldwin has for others. His letter for his nephew brought tears to my eyes. It showed an immense amount of love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
lucinotlucy's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and War
samchase112's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
4.5
If we--and now I mean the relatively conscious whites and the relatively conscious blacks, who must, like lovers, insist on, or create, the consciousness of the others--do not falter in our duty now, we may be able, handful that we are, to end the racial nightmare, and achieve our country, and change the history of the world. If we do not now dare everything, the fulfillment of that prophecy, re-created from the Bible in song by a slave, is upon us: "God gave Noah the rainbow sign, No more water, the fire next time!"
James Baldwin's essay is a masterpiece, and should absolutely be read by every American. The personal, intelligent nature of his prose is incredibly powerful. There is really no describing this book; it must be experienced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Drug abuse