Scan barcode
janada59's review against another edition
4.0
This book made me so angry at my government about how they're so smug when it comes to addressing race and justice issues in the United States. Cole sheds light on the racism in Canada that Black Canadians face.
fionacashell's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who has grown up in the Toronto area, this book is an excellent example of how privilege can blind you to injustices unfolding around you. Some of the events in this book were things I had heard of or had even been present for (the 2016 Toronto Pride Parade, Canada 150 events) but had not appreciated their links to wider systemic issues in Canada. Desmond Cole's writing brings these injustices into focus and at many times had me questioning my own perspectives of what it means to live in Canada. He makes the reader critically think of the price marginalized community members pay for our country's collective dedication to policing and other government surveillance.
I previously read Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard and The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King, both of which are referenced and provide further background on the historic events mentioned in this text. I would recommend reading all three as The Skin We're In ties a lot of the other works' ideas together along with more recent case studies.
I previously read Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard and The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King, both of which are referenced and provide further background on the historic events mentioned in this text. I would recommend reading all three as The Skin We're In ties a lot of the other works' ideas together along with more recent case studies.
lit_laugh_luv's review against another edition
4.0
This book was recommended to me by a coworker for Black History Month and I am so glad I read it. Desmond Cole does an excellent job summarizing anti-Black racism in Canada, particularly in the context of policing and legislature. It is accessible, and addresses intersectionality, colonialism and the myth of monolithic minorities. The case about Dafonte Miller and the Somalia affair were particularly tough but important reads.
"Canadians are so polite, we hesitate to brag about how well we've stolen this land. Ours is a humble colonialism."
"...'Canada is an inclusive country'. Inclusion requires the power to exclude. If Canada gives up its right to exclude, to decide who belongs here and who doesn't, it ceases to exist."
"Canadians are so polite, we hesitate to brag about how well we've stolen this land. Ours is a humble colonialism."
"...'Canada is an inclusive country'. Inclusion requires the power to exclude. If Canada gives up its right to exclude, to decide who belongs here and who doesn't, it ceases to exist."
biobooksbirdsnerd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.75
Intense read, but so important. ACAB.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
An insightful discussion of race issues in Canada, specifically Toronto. Many of these issues will be extremely familiar to those of us from the USA.
sage_loves_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
soph_sol's review against another edition
4.0
A non-fiction book about racism and particularly anti-Black racism in Canada, by activist writer Desmond Cole.
I am a Canadian myself, but honestly, so much of the anti-racism rhetoric I hear is still so thoroughly based in a US context, given the English speaking media environment and online world are so US-dominated in a lot of ways. So it was helpful to read a book that was clearly and specifically talking about the Canadian context, with discussion about the Canadian activism being done and the Canadian police force's use of violence with impunity and the like. Canada likes to think of ourselves as being better than the US, but that's an extremely low bar and lets Canada think there's no work that needs to be done here when there's SO much that needs addressing.
A good and worthwhile read.
I am a Canadian myself, but honestly, so much of the anti-racism rhetoric I hear is still so thoroughly based in a US context, given the English speaking media environment and online world are so US-dominated in a lot of ways. So it was helpful to read a book that was clearly and specifically talking about the Canadian context, with discussion about the Canadian activism being done and the Canadian police force's use of violence with impunity and the like. Canada likes to think of ourselves as being better than the US, but that's an extremely low bar and lets Canada think there's no work that needs to be done here when there's SO much that needs addressing.
A good and worthwhile read.
mel_sh's review against another edition
4.75
"The Star wanted my profile but not my voice, my diversity but not my blackness."
being born and raised in canada, the racism in this country has never shocked me. i remember learning about racism in high school like it was this concept that only occurred in the united states and being told that the mistreatment of the indigenous people was a thing of the past. it was such a direct contrast from the reality i would learn growing up and especially going into college. it was in college that i took a class specifically about prejudice where i learned about desmond cole and his work and i've had this book on my radar since. even with that class and the things i've observed and researched on my own, this book is such an important and eye-opening read. so many stories told in this were news reports i couldn't believe i hadn't heard before, since they'd happened so close to home. just goes to show how good canada has gotten at hiding its skeletons. i think this book should be essential reading for canadians. we've gotten so comfortable, as a country, to pat ourselves on the back and congratulate ourselves for "not being as bad as the united states" but this book proves that we are, indeed, just as bad and are really good at hushing it up and being sneaky about it. and this book only goes into depth about anti-black racism. it only scratches the surface of the appalling treatment of its indigenous people. desmond cole's writing will make you uncomfortable and it will make you feel guilty and it absolutely should. if you are angry at his words, you are part of the problem
"black people just can't win in this white supremacist construct called canada, which only exists through the ongoing genocide and subjugation of indigenous peoples and the theft and destruction of their traditional indigenous territories."
being born and raised in canada, the racism in this country has never shocked me. i remember learning about racism in high school like it was this concept that only occurred in the united states and being told that the mistreatment of the indigenous people was a thing of the past. it was such a direct contrast from the reality i would learn growing up and especially going into college. it was in college that i took a class specifically about prejudice where i learned about desmond cole and his work and i've had this book on my radar since. even with that class and the things i've observed and researched on my own, this book is such an important and eye-opening read. so many stories told in this were news reports i couldn't believe i hadn't heard before, since they'd happened so close to home. just goes to show how good canada has gotten at hiding its skeletons. i think this book should be essential reading for canadians. we've gotten so comfortable, as a country, to pat ourselves on the back and congratulate ourselves for "not being as bad as the united states" but this book proves that we are, indeed, just as bad and are really good at hushing it up and being sneaky about it. and this book only goes into depth about anti-black racism. it only scratches the surface of the appalling treatment of its indigenous people. desmond cole's writing will make you uncomfortable and it will make you feel guilty and it absolutely should. if you are angry at his words, you are part of the problem
"black people just can't win in this white supremacist construct called canada, which only exists through the ongoing genocide and subjugation of indigenous peoples and the theft and destruction of their traditional indigenous territories."
ovenbird_reads's review against another edition
5.0
If you live in Canada you need to read this book. If you live in Canada and believe that racism is a thing that occurs in other countries but not here, you need to read this book.