Regular price: £20.39
In February 2014, Reni Eddo-Lodge posted an impassioned argument on her blog about her deep-seated frustration with the way discussions of race and racism in Britain were constantly being shut down by those who weren't affected by it. She gave the post the title 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race'. Her sharp, fiercely intelligent words hit a nerve, and the post went viral, spawning a huge number of comments from people desperate to speak up about their own similar experiences.
How does it feel to be constantly regarded as a potential threat, strip-searched at every airport? Or be told that as an actress, the part you're most fitted to play is 'wife of a terrorist'? How does it feel to have words from your native language misused, misappropriated and used aggressively towards you? How does it feel to hear a child of colour say in a classroom that stories can only be about white people? How does it feel to go 'home' to India when your home is really London?
"This is your country, this is your world, this is your body, and you must find some way to live within the all of it." In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation's history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of "race", a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men.
With over 500,000 readers a month at her enormously popular blog, AwesomelyLuvvie.com, Luvvie Ajayi is a go-to source for smart takes on pop culture. I'm Judging You is her debut book of humorous essays that dissects our cultural obsessions and calls out bad behavior in our increasingly digital, connected lives - from the importance of the newest Shonda Rhimes television drama to serious discussions of race and media representation to what to do about your fool cousin sharing casket pictures from Grandma's wake on Facebook.
Born in Dickens, Los Angeles, the narrator of The Sellout spent his childhood as the subject in his father's racially charged psychological studies. He is told that his father's memoir will solve their financial woes. But when his father is killed, he discovers there never was a memoir. Fuelled by despair, he sets out to right this wrong with the most outrageous action conceivable: reinstating slavery and segregating the local high school, which lands him in the Supreme Court.
Being a black woman in America means contending with old prejudices and fresh absurdities every day. Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: She's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of "the black friend", as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel ("isn't that...white people music?"); she's been called "uppity" for having an opinion in the workplace; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. The. Time.
In February 2014, Reni Eddo-Lodge posted an impassioned argument on her blog about her deep-seated frustration with the way discussions of race and racism in Britain were constantly being shut down by those who weren't affected by it. She gave the post the title 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race'. Her sharp, fiercely intelligent words hit a nerve, and the post went viral, spawning a huge number of comments from people desperate to speak up about their own similar experiences.
How does it feel to be constantly regarded as a potential threat, strip-searched at every airport? Or be told that as an actress, the part you're most fitted to play is 'wife of a terrorist'? How does it feel to have words from your native language misused, misappropriated and used aggressively towards you? How does it feel to hear a child of colour say in a classroom that stories can only be about white people? How does it feel to go 'home' to India when your home is really London?
"This is your country, this is your world, this is your body, and you must find some way to live within the all of it." In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation's history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of "race", a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men.
With over 500,000 readers a month at her enormously popular blog, AwesomelyLuvvie.com, Luvvie Ajayi is a go-to source for smart takes on pop culture. I'm Judging You is her debut book of humorous essays that dissects our cultural obsessions and calls out bad behavior in our increasingly digital, connected lives - from the importance of the newest Shonda Rhimes television drama to serious discussions of race and media representation to what to do about your fool cousin sharing casket pictures from Grandma's wake on Facebook.
Born in Dickens, Los Angeles, the narrator of The Sellout spent his childhood as the subject in his father's racially charged psychological studies. He is told that his father's memoir will solve their financial woes. But when his father is killed, he discovers there never was a memoir. Fuelled by despair, he sets out to right this wrong with the most outrageous action conceivable: reinstating slavery and segregating the local high school, which lands him in the Supreme Court.
Being a black woman in America means contending with old prejudices and fresh absurdities every day. Comedian Phoebe Robinson has experienced her fair share over the years: She's been unceremoniously relegated to the role of "the black friend", as if she is somehow the authority on all things racial; she's been questioned about her love of U2 and Billy Joel ("isn't that...white people music?"); she's been called "uppity" for having an opinion in the workplace; and yes, people do ask her whether they can touch her hair all. The. Time.
How do you learn to be a black man in America? For young black men today, it means coming of age during the presidency of Barack Obama. It means witnessing the deaths of Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Akai Gurley, and too many more. It means celebrating powerful moments of black self-determination for LeBron James, Dave Chappelle, and Frank Ocean.
In Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching, Mychal Denzel Smith chronicles his own personal and political education during these tumultuous years, describing his efforts to come into his own in a world that denies his humanity. Smith unapologetically upends reigning assumptions about black masculinity, rewriting the script for black manhood so that depression and anxiety aren't considered taboo, and feminism and LGBTQ rights become part of the fight. The questions Smith asks in this book are urgent - for him, for the martyrs and the tokens, and for the Trayvons who could have been and are still waiting.
As a 25 year old African American I related to almost every single word in this book. This book isn't just for people like me, but for every single person that wants any insight as what it's like to be a young black man in this day and age. Beautifully written and wonderfully read, I recommend this book to everyone that cares about our society.
Smith killed it!! I'm so impressed with his honesty and self awareness. The irony is that his analysis of sexism is going to be more persuasive because he is male. Overall the book is relevant, timely and thought provoking. Simply brilliant. Thank you Mr. Smith.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Within the text Smith unveiled the issues facing black America today from racism, sexism, mental illness, classism, homophobia, transgenders, drugs, survivors guilt, love and more. Bringing attention to more than just the obvious but digging deeper, trying to uncover the roots. It's a great read!!!
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Mychal Denzel Smith has an incredible ability to speak from his heart. Not only is he educated, but he uses that education to express his opinions and struggles on being a black man in America. Smith lets his writing flow naturally and it's rawness gives a much appreciated personality to his book. The narrarator, Kevin R. Free, does an excellent job bringing the personable writings to life. From his well placed pauses, to his sarcastic tones, to his solemn finishers, everything came together in a masterpiece.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Senior high and college shapes author differently. Same for me. Author stand on his father's shoulder. Same for me. Even if I am a chinese in China.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I don't say awesome very often, but This book is Awsome!!! This young black author has his head in the right place!!! His book described his history via politics, sexuality and mental health of our Black Nation in a way that everyone can and needs to understand!!! As an Elementary school Teacher, I saw exactly what he describes!! Everyone, please take the time to submerge into this book!! Thank you Mr. Smith!!
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
loved it from start to finish, I got a copy just give as a gift to my teenage brother. 8 is my favorite chapter
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Great story, great insight and perspective from a young, articulate, evolved black millennial man. I would have liked Mychal to narrate
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
amazing perspective on the world. a good read for anyone with a pulse and a brain
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
This book chronicles to some degree the life of the author and let's the reader see what instances in his life formed him to be a black man.
A well written essay. I enjoyed the tone and pace of the book. More like a conversation with a friend who makes you reconsider your well worn and established ideas. Highly recommended. Sending a copy to all my friends.