lilac_sparkle's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Genocide, Sexism, Slavery, and Violence
leahkarge's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Islamophobia, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Hate crime, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Trafficking, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Torture, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
lizziaha's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Colonisation, Genocide, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Sexism, Islamophobia, Rape, and Religious bigotry
lottiegasp's review against another edition
4.75
The book's first section is quite slow as it outlines a lot of history of colonialism, the ways that women of colour in particular were treated and portrayed, and the role that white women played in perpetuating white supremacy. I think it was important context, but it was more challenging so I suggest readers start reading when they have a good amount of headspace to properly digest it. For people who find reading history more challenging, it does become a bit easier to digest in Part 2 as it discusses racism and whiteness in the modern context. If you are white, it is well worth pushing through even if you find it challenging. Some people of colour will know much of the content so it might not be worth retraumatising yourself, however according to some testimonials in the book, it may help you put words to some experiences you've had but not appreciated as so prevalent and insidious.
Graphic: Islamophobia, Colonisation, and Racism
Moderate: Trafficking, Genocide, and Slavery
Minor: Rape and Mass/school shootings
The whole book is about racism and white supremacy, including histories of it and how it plays out in modern society. It would be a challenging read for people of colour, so make sure you are in the right headspace.ellaniji's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Classism, Genocide, Homophobia, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Xenophobia, Slavery, Sexism, Rape, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Antisemitism, Body shaming, and Racism
Since this book is about white feminism, rasism and sexism are central in this book.jessthanthree's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Slavery, Rape, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Islamophobia, and Medical trauma
Minor: Deportation, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Body shaming, and Genocide
tharumi's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Slavery, Classism, Genocide, Racism, Xenophobia, and Misogyny
savvylit's review against another edition
5.0
That's not to say that White Tears/Brown Scars is purely about betrayals of the past - it most certainly is not. Hamad discusses the past only to bolster the truth at the heart of this book: that even in modern life, a myth of white female innocence is just as common and damaging as ever. Using examples from real individuals, her own experience, and the media, Hamad outlines the ways that white women willfully use their tears and presumed "innocence" to dismiss and damage women of color. Time after time, white women have shown that if they're even mildly criticized for racist behavior, they will become belligerently sad and defensive. By taking a concern and transforming it into a personal attack, the focus of the argument then becomes centered solely on the white woman's feelings. If there's any sort of audience, other folks do their best to assuage the sad white woman. Thus, the initial concerns and distress of the person of color become completely forgotten. This is a collective delusion that gaslights women of color.
When white womanhood and its insidious associations of presumed innocence are continually prioritized and promoted, the "feminist" movement has failed. Hamad proves that equality among women is only achievable once white women are willing to acknowledge their complicity in upholding whiteness. Throughout history, whiteness has been a self-perpetuating power structure built on outright lies. We need to recognize the delusions that we continue to uphold & promote and stop centering white feelings in discussions of race.
Graphic: Slavery, Trafficking, Hate crime, Colonisation, Racial slurs, Racism, Misogyny, Genocide, Gaslighting, Violence, War, and Xenophobia
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Slavery, Racism, Genocide, Violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Death, Islamophobia, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Rape, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Body shaming, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: War, Torture, and Classism
Eugenics, Colorism, Blackface, White supremacy, Lynchingbreanneisdeadinside's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Classism, Sexual assault, Genocide, Misogyny, Slavery, Colonisation, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Racial slurs