Scan barcode
A review by ineffablebob
Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.75
If you've read any of Michael Harriot's work, you'll know to expect a good amount of snark and humor, along with some bombastic hyperbole. Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed History of America lives up to those expectations, but it's also a meticulously researched history from the early days of European settlements in America to the present day, with emphasis on Black participants and viewpoints. There's many stories that rarely make it into school history books, from how escapees in the days of slavery formed their own wilderness communities to contributions from Black people in times of war. Interspersed throughout are episodes of Harriot's own family and experiences.
As a white American, there were plenty of times that I felt uncomfortable reading this book, which I think is both intentional and appropriate. Harriot pulls no punches in calling out racism where he sees it, to the point of indicting all of America and every white person. The reader can take that as an insult, nitpicking details or calling it hyperbole or becoming defensive; or take it as a call to examine their own views and actions in light of the Black experience in our society and culture. I choose the latter, as I believe the author intended, and hope others will as well. Reading this book reminded me of visiting to the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture - both put the Black experience in focus in a way that we white Americans rarely see. I highly recommend both.
As a white American, there were plenty of times that I felt uncomfortable reading this book, which I think is both intentional and appropriate. Harriot pulls no punches in calling out racism where he sees it, to the point of indicting all of America and every white person. The reader can take that as an insult, nitpicking details or calling it hyperbole or becoming defensive; or take it as a call to examine their own views and actions in light of the Black experience in our society and culture. I choose the latter, as I believe the author intended, and hope others will as well. Reading this book reminded me of visiting to the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture - both put the Black experience in focus in a way that we white Americans rarely see. I highly recommend both.