maiamatson's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely interesting concept. Less interesting execution. I really struggled with understanding this text. Considering it is poetry written without any form relating to imagines that convey the black experience of being a citizen in America I am okay admitting I struggled to understand the text/image's. The cover however is so cool.
amandarose13's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
jbmorgan86's review against another edition
3.0
Citizen: An American Lyric is a novel-length poem-memoir about racial aggressions and "micro-aggressions." A slip of the tongue or an oversight may seem minor to some, but Rankine argues that these "micro-aggressions," point to a subconscious racism that runs rampant in a culture that has outlawed more egregious forms of racism (slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, segregation, etc.). Ranking reflects on her own personal experiences as well as the experiences of Serena Williams, Zinedine Zidane, Rodney King, Trayvon Martin, and Eric Garner. Ranking weaves together quotes from Zora Neale Hurston, Frederick Douglass, and, most importantly, James Baldwin.
While this is an important poem to read in 21st century America, I was not amazed at the poetry itself. I highly recommend reading Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me in conjunction with this book.
While this is an important poem to read in 21st century America, I was not amazed at the poetry itself. I highly recommend reading Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me in conjunction with this book.
cowboy_blue's review against another edition
4.0
this distressed me, and it was so beautiful. I want to reread it when I have more time and space