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h0llyr00th's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
I enjoyed the writing. I think a worthwhile read, for sure
addy_rose's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.75
Reading this book was a very interesting introspective experience. There is so much to learn about white privilege and the allowances I accept as daily life that is not universal, and this book is a great reminder of that. I really enjoy the author's writing style and it flowed very well, while still delivering ideas that are painful and carry a lot of guilt, it felt easy to read and enjoyable nonetheless. I highly recommend for everyone to read this, it's truly an necessary eye opener.
kerstan's review against another edition
5.0
My Times Among the Whites by Jennine Capó Crucet: I think what I most love about books is the ability to slip into another’s skin and walk around for a bit. This author gives us a series of essays about what it is like being a first generation American and first generation college student. We get to see what it’s like to navigate America whilst being seen as the Other by the dominant culture around her. She goes from her comfortable Cuban-American community in Miami, to college, and finally to a tenured teaching job in Nebraska and she is utterly candid and unguarded about all aspects of that journey. It’s an amazing narrative filled with laughter, love, pain, poignancy, fear, loss, and triumph. I love how forceful and vulnerable the author is. I look forward to reading more of her work. Five stars!
bookrantreviews's review against another edition
5.0
If any white person wants to deny white privilege exists -- or simply doesn't understand what it means (exactly), I encourage them to read books written by people of color, such as this one. Jennine Capo Crucet is a first generation American born to Cuban immigrant parents. "My Time Among Whites" is basically a series of essays about her life as a Latinx woman in a very white America.
While some books I've read focus on bigger racial issues, like systemic racism, this book shone light on the smaller things I've never thought about. Imagine a word processing program always putting that red squiggly line under your name, because it's not a 'white' name. Imagine trying to look 'more white' so a landlord will rent to you. Imagine keeping your heritage a secret, because someone you're forced to deal with hates the true you. Imagine having to consider how white people will feel about an event you host (such as a wedding) if you incorporate too much of your culture. White people don't have a culture, so to speak. The while culture is the standard. It's the norm. We, as white people, have never given it a second thought -- or considered if our ways of doing things would make someone of color feel uncomfortable. It's another manifestation of white privilege.
I'm grateful I got to read this book. I'm grateful the author shared details from her life so frankly and poignantly. I feel as if books like this open my eyes a little more with each one I read. "My Time Among the Whites" is a powerful book, but it's sad that in 2020 a book like this needs to be written.
While some books I've read focus on bigger racial issues, like systemic racism, this book shone light on the smaller things I've never thought about. Imagine a word processing program always putting that red squiggly line under your name, because it's not a 'white' name. Imagine trying to look 'more white' so a landlord will rent to you. Imagine keeping your heritage a secret, because someone you're forced to deal with hates the true you. Imagine having to consider how white people will feel about an event you host (such as a wedding) if you incorporate too much of your culture. White people don't have a culture, so to speak. The while culture is the standard. It's the norm. We, as white people, have never given it a second thought -- or considered if our ways of doing things would make someone of color feel uncomfortable. It's another manifestation of white privilege.
I'm grateful I got to read this book. I'm grateful the author shared details from her life so frankly and poignantly. I feel as if books like this open my eyes a little more with each one I read. "My Time Among the Whites" is a powerful book, but it's sad that in 2020 a book like this needs to be written.
jessicaps's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars, maybe 5 when I reread. This is a book worth revisiting. Crucet does not shy away from difficult and uncomfortable topics, especially involving her own privilege.
ajnsmiths's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Beautifully crafted collection of essays about growing up in this country as the child of immigrants and the first in her family to attend college. Read by the author it is at times laugh out loud funny, other times deeply painful, but always fearlessly written.
katie_esh's review against another edition
5.0
This collection of essays was smart and engaging, and made me laugh out loud several times. These stories of her Cuban-American upbringing, college years as a first-generation Latinx student, and adulthood navigating the world of academia gave a lot of insight into the non-white American experience in the little ways that aren't often explored in non-fiction (for example, making yourself appear more white when meeting a prospective landlord or Microsoft Word not recognizing your name as a word). I highly recommend this book as well as her debut novel, Make Your Home Among Strangers!
book_voyager's review against another edition
3.0
These essays were okay. I understand a lot of them, but they clearly are catered to Americans as the author is first generation American. I feel like I’ve read these before.
expecto_padronum's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Interesting, funny, and thought provoking, especially the part about her speaking on the college campus and finding a wedding DJ in Miami. I’ll keep reading whatever Capó Crucet writes!