Scan barcode
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
1.0
I have read one other book by Jewell Parker Rhodes - Ghost Boys - which I found distasteful at best, actively harmful at worst. That said, I rarely write off an author after only one book though it might be a very long time before I try anything else by the author; once bitten, etc etc. Such is the case of Black Brother, Black Brother. It took me 2 years to give her another go.
First off, the book is quite boring and overwrought. It's written like Rhodes' wanted it to be in verse but didn't want to commit or was told last minute to add more words. Outside of the weird tug of war between verse vs almost verse, the paragraphs are choppy, the dialogue is needlessly abrupt, Donte's internal commentary is heavy handed, the messaging is melodramatic and the characters are flat.
The book's goal would have been better served by being dual point of view so that we could get a comprehensive look at the colorism, racial dynamics and white privilege at play.
The synopsis states that Trey is light skinned when really he's white passing which is a whole other kettle of fish. Obviously all white passing people are 'light skinned' but the distinction is really important because white supremacy affects the two groups differently. Being light skinned with visibly Black features will, generally speaking, not get you as far as a light skinned person lacking in such distinguishable features. Therefore the experiences are similar in scope but often not specificity.
The addition of Trey's perspective also would have gone a long way towards justifying Donte's devotion for him. Trey was an okay brother at best by my estimate and getting some insight into him might have been enough to see what all the fuss was about.
Even though he's already a beloved athlete, and in spite of explicitly telling Donte learning to fence to takedown Alan was Donte's fight and in spite of knowing that Donte has never had a special thing that is just his before and the broader connotations of a person with Donte's complexion choosing a historically white sport, he chooses to take up fencing anyways. It's an implicit example of how Trey's white passing privilege has emboldened him to feel entitled to anything regardless of consequences, feelings or cultural significance. He really couldn't let Donte - his supposedly beloved baby brother - have this one thing? No, because in his mind it's not like Donte owns the sport and he 'knows' Donte will be cool with it eventually so it's worth it to him to risk it. This isn't a uniquely white mindset, but it's particularly common in white people on a systemic level.
I wanted to dig into the complexity of their dynamic. In fact what initially drew me into the book was the fact that I originally thought the two boys were twins which would have been such a perfect way to parallel the inequality between them; born the same in every way except perception of race. The ripple effect of genetic unpredictability could have been so interesting.
Instead, Donte is mad at Trey a handful of pages at the beginning, abandons his resentment immediately after and it never crosses his mind again to ever be annoyed at Trey. I just do not believe that is realistic in the least. A 12 year old boy waking up to racial injustice and the unfair realization that his brother will never face the scrutiny he does will not just get over it after a couple days. It'll be a cross to bear his entire life because he'll be reminded of it constantly.
I think it's not only unreasonable, it's a dull direction to take the story in. Why not take advantage of the potential tension? Why not investigate the way racism affects everything? Tears apart even the closest of brothers? Destroys families? Basically, why not highlight how it's everyone's job to actively fight against racism. How you stand up to racism is equally as important as standing up in the first place.
Another problem I have goes back to Ghost Boys and is more ideological. Rhodes seems to be a person who advocates for Black people to forgive, ignore and turn the other cheek. As I noted in my Ghost Boys review I believe this is a generational conflict.
While this belief system has its merits I think it's entirely too self effacing. It discounts the fact that moral piety is not a win for everyone nor should it be. The end goal when it comes to racial conflict should be to be satisfied with the end result without compromising personal integrity. Not meeting someone else's arbitrary standard of righteousness. If taking the high ground works for you, do it. But, the low ground is a matter of perspective.
Black people have a right to be angry and to make decisions out of that anger. Anger is not a bad emotion. It's there for a reason. It has value. I appreciate Rhodes' point about Donte needing to do things for his own sake, not to prove himself to anyone else. He has worth for simply existing. He should fence because he loves it. That said, the idea that it's wrong or he's morally bankrupt for wanting revenge on a racist boy whose actions led to his arrest is ridiculous.
Don't let the hate or anger eat up your life, certainly. But, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a person who has deeply wronged you with not an ounce of remorse to experience negative consequences at your hands. I literally couldn't care less if he hated fencing and only stuck with it to beat Alan at his own game. It's not hurting anyone, exercise is good for your health, and it gives him something to focus on as his hearing looms. So who cares if he picked it up out of spite? There are worse things he could have done.
When someone screws you over it's healthy to wish a little bad karma on them. I recognize pursuing it can become rife with complications, but that's only if you're not putting in the work to process in other ways. If a piece of garbage cheats their way into being my boss and I work double time to get a position above them, what is the harm in that? I'm a good person. I don't let thoughts of this cheater blind me to my other goals. I'd be qualified and ethical as their manager. The catalyst for my growth just happened to be wanting to see their discomfort when I take over.
Black kids are overly policed emotionally. Part of this is religious zeal, part of it is respectability politics. If Donte didn't have the support system he does, the access to aid he does, the emotional processing skills he does, then sure, we could have a conversation about not getting even. But, not getting even at the expense of yourself is a lesson; not getting even ever is an unfair expectation. Levied against minorities, 'the best revenge is a life well lived' rhetoric benefits white supremacy because it creates a paradigm where if a racist incident cannot be shaken off, it's a moral failing. "You shouldn't let them get to you. Ignore them. You don't need them anyways!" is all well and good when we're talking about someone being mean. Racism is so much more than that, and responses to its impact should not be reduced to meritocratic dogma and hollow platitudes. Keeping your head up only goes so far when the water is steadily rising.
If it's a question of safety, by all means, let it go for your own good. If it's a question of 'right' vs 'wrong', that's entirely at your discretion.
I don't like how Rhodes frames deeply personal, nuanced conflicts in the Black community as black-and-white moral dilemmas . It characterizes large-scale injustice as the responsibility of an individual to pathologize themself out of. You can't 'toxic positivity' your way out of prejudicial inequity.
Knowing who you are, having self confidence, and standing strong are fantastic ways to stand up to racism. Beating them at their own game is equally as valid if not more so. Taking pleasure in it or striving towards beating them at their own game doesn't make you a bad person. In fact, I advocate for separating it from value judgments entirely. It's a private pursuit that, if you're self reflecting and aware enough to adjust your dedication accordingly, won't hurt anybody.
I want to note that on a personal level I do believe we don't have enough dialogue between disparate groups any more and if this book was taking the perspective of 'let's engage with the mechanics behind racism' I would have no problems if Donte chose to let go of his ire because of newfound insight. I think choosing to be gracious in the face of abject cruelty because you have decided compassion is your way to fight racist is admirable. We are so much more alike than we are dissimilar which is what those who oppress us don't want us to realize. Conversation and education can go a long way.
Unfortunately part of my distaste for the book was that Rhodes does not encourage using your words in any capacity, whether that be honest dialogue or calling out bad behavior. Instead, she heavily implies the path forward is for Black kids to just pay no attention to it as a means of not giving racists the satisfaction. As if staying silent, living their best life has ever got Black people - or anyone oppressed for that matter - anywhere long-term.
Donte's mother does open up a class action lawsuit featuring Donte as the face of the movement after he is arrested so there is acknowledgement that ‘living well is the best revenge’ rhetoric only extends so far. However, I found that to be a very limited plan of action to propose. I am not saying it’s not helpful to take legal action. I am saying that it’s something that a privileged few can pursue while directly addressing racism in the moment, or attempting to talk things through, or creating a safe space for victims to vent are all open for the average person to do at any time. Simply using your words is often the first step towards change.
On the plot side, the class action lawsuit isn’t actually relevant. She asks him if he is willing to be the face. Donte agrees. We’re only told that she’s pursuing it in the background; the amount of other kids who have joined the lawsuit, how she found these kids, an explanation of what a class action lawsuit entails, what they are seeking, or how a class action lawsuit would be beneficial is never explored.
Long story short - spiting racists is a revelry all of us should be allowed to gleefully partake in.
First off, the book is quite boring and overwrought. It's written like Rhodes' wanted it to be in verse but didn't want to commit or was told last minute to add more words. Outside of the weird tug of war between verse vs almost verse, the paragraphs are choppy, the dialogue is needlessly abrupt, Donte's internal commentary is heavy handed, the messaging is melodramatic and the characters are flat.
The book's goal would have been better served by being dual point of view so that we could get a comprehensive look at the colorism, racial dynamics and white privilege at play.
The synopsis states that Trey is light skinned when really he's white passing which is a whole other kettle of fish. Obviously all white passing people are 'light skinned' but the distinction is really important because white supremacy affects the two groups differently. Being light skinned with visibly Black features will, generally speaking, not get you as far as a light skinned person lacking in such distinguishable features. Therefore the experiences are similar in scope but often not specificity.
The addition of Trey's perspective also would have gone a long way towards justifying Donte's devotion for him. Trey was an okay brother at best by my estimate and getting some insight into him might have been enough to see what all the fuss was about.
Even though he's already a beloved athlete, and in spite of explicitly telling Donte learning to fence to takedown Alan was Donte's fight and in spite of knowing that Donte has never had a special thing that is just his before and the broader connotations of a person with Donte's complexion choosing a historically white sport, he chooses to take up fencing anyways. It's an implicit example of how Trey's white passing privilege has emboldened him to feel entitled to anything regardless of consequences, feelings or cultural significance. He really couldn't let Donte - his supposedly beloved baby brother - have this one thing? No, because in his mind it's not like Donte owns the sport and he 'knows' Donte will be cool with it eventually so it's worth it to him to risk it. This isn't a uniquely white mindset, but it's particularly common in white people on a systemic level.
I wanted to dig into the complexity of their dynamic. In fact what initially drew me into the book was the fact that I originally thought the two boys were twins which would have been such a perfect way to parallel the inequality between them; born the same in every way except perception of race. The ripple effect of genetic unpredictability could have been so interesting.
Instead, Donte is mad at Trey a handful of pages at the beginning, abandons his resentment immediately after and it never crosses his mind again to ever be annoyed at Trey. I just do not believe that is realistic in the least. A 12 year old boy waking up to racial injustice and the unfair realization that his brother will never face the scrutiny he does will not just get over it after a couple days. It'll be a cross to bear his entire life because he'll be reminded of it constantly.
I think it's not only unreasonable, it's a dull direction to take the story in. Why not take advantage of the potential tension? Why not investigate the way racism affects everything? Tears apart even the closest of brothers? Destroys families? Basically, why not highlight how it's everyone's job to actively fight against racism. How you stand up to racism is equally as important as standing up in the first place.
Another problem I have goes back to Ghost Boys and is more ideological. Rhodes seems to be a person who advocates for Black people to forgive, ignore and turn the other cheek. As I noted in my Ghost Boys review I believe this is a generational conflict.
While this belief system has its merits I think it's entirely too self effacing. It discounts the fact that moral piety is not a win for everyone nor should it be. The end goal when it comes to racial conflict should be to be satisfied with the end result without compromising personal integrity. Not meeting someone else's arbitrary standard of righteousness. If taking the high ground works for you, do it. But, the low ground is a matter of perspective.
Black people have a right to be angry and to make decisions out of that anger. Anger is not a bad emotion. It's there for a reason. It has value. I appreciate Rhodes' point about Donte needing to do things for his own sake, not to prove himself to anyone else. He has worth for simply existing. He should fence because he loves it. That said, the idea that it's wrong or he's morally bankrupt for wanting revenge on a racist boy whose actions led to his arrest is ridiculous.
Don't let the hate or anger eat up your life, certainly. But, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a person who has deeply wronged you with not an ounce of remorse to experience negative consequences at your hands. I literally couldn't care less if he hated fencing and only stuck with it to beat Alan at his own game. It's not hurting anyone, exercise is good for your health, and it gives him something to focus on as his hearing looms. So who cares if he picked it up out of spite? There are worse things he could have done.
When someone screws you over it's healthy to wish a little bad karma on them. I recognize pursuing it can become rife with complications, but that's only if you're not putting in the work to process in other ways. If a piece of garbage cheats their way into being my boss and I work double time to get a position above them, what is the harm in that? I'm a good person. I don't let thoughts of this cheater blind me to my other goals. I'd be qualified and ethical as their manager. The catalyst for my growth just happened to be wanting to see their discomfort when I take over.
Black kids are overly policed emotionally. Part of this is religious zeal, part of it is respectability politics. If Donte didn't have the support system he does, the access to aid he does, the emotional processing skills he does, then sure, we could have a conversation about not getting even. But, not getting even at the expense of yourself is a lesson; not getting even ever is an unfair expectation. Levied against minorities, 'the best revenge is a life well lived' rhetoric benefits white supremacy because it creates a paradigm where if a racist incident cannot be shaken off, it's a moral failing. "You shouldn't let them get to you. Ignore them. You don't need them anyways!" is all well and good when we're talking about someone being mean. Racism is so much more than that, and responses to its impact should not be reduced to meritocratic dogma and hollow platitudes. Keeping your head up only goes so far when the water is steadily rising.
If it's a question of safety, by all means, let it go for your own good. If it's a question of 'right' vs 'wrong', that's entirely at your discretion.
I don't like how Rhodes frames deeply personal, nuanced conflicts in the Black community as black-and-white moral dilemmas . It characterizes large-scale injustice as the responsibility of an individual to pathologize themself out of. You can't 'toxic positivity' your way out of prejudicial inequity.
Knowing who you are, having self confidence, and standing strong are fantastic ways to stand up to racism. Beating them at their own game is equally as valid if not more so. Taking pleasure in it or striving towards beating them at their own game doesn't make you a bad person. In fact, I advocate for separating it from value judgments entirely. It's a private pursuit that, if you're self reflecting and aware enough to adjust your dedication accordingly, won't hurt anybody.
I want to note that on a personal level I do believe we don't have enough dialogue between disparate groups any more and if this book was taking the perspective of 'let's engage with the mechanics behind racism' I would have no problems if Donte chose to let go of his ire because of newfound insight. I think choosing to be gracious in the face of abject cruelty because you have decided compassion is your way to fight racist is admirable. We are so much more alike than we are dissimilar which is what those who oppress us don't want us to realize. Conversation and education can go a long way.
Unfortunately part of my distaste for the book was that Rhodes does not encourage using your words in any capacity, whether that be honest dialogue or calling out bad behavior. Instead, she heavily implies the path forward is for Black kids to just pay no attention to it as a means of not giving racists the satisfaction. As if staying silent, living their best life has ever got Black people - or anyone oppressed for that matter - anywhere long-term.
Donte's mother does open up a class action lawsuit featuring Donte as the face of the movement after he is arrested so there is acknowledgement that ‘living well is the best revenge’ rhetoric only extends so far. However, I found that to be a very limited plan of action to propose. I am not saying it’s not helpful to take legal action. I am saying that it’s something that a privileged few can pursue while directly addressing racism in the moment, or attempting to talk things through, or creating a safe space for victims to vent are all open for the average person to do at any time. Simply using your words is often the first step towards change.
On the plot side, the class action lawsuit isn’t actually relevant. She asks him if he is willing to be the face. Donte agrees. We’re only told that she’s pursuing it in the background; the amount of other kids who have joined the lawsuit, how she found these kids, an explanation of what a class action lawsuit entails, what they are seeking, or how a class action lawsuit would be beneficial is never explored.
Long story short - spiting racists is a revelry all of us should be allowed to gleefully partake in.
breadforanna's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, and Bullying
aclopez6's review against another edition
5.0
Short chapters make the book compulsively readable -- super easy to keep turning the page, and each chapter ends with you wanting to keep turning page to find out what happens next. There are also super chunked paragraphs and sections with short sentences, making the text even more accessible.
I would recommend this book to students who are interested in social justice and the school to prison pipeline, potentially students who have enjoyed authors such as Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), and Jerry Craft (New Kid).
I think it is important that teachers/administrators take a minute to read the first chapter of this book and reflect on our own interactions with students. The language being directed towards Donte, a 12 year old black student, is disgusting and loaded with bias. Although the principal in the scene may not have intentionally attempted to silence Donte, Donte is very much dismissed and disregarded in the scene. This happens in the first chapter, but minor spoiler alert: the principal decides to escalate a situation of Donte throwing his backpack down and calls the police.
I would recommend this book to students who are interested in social justice and the school to prison pipeline, potentially students who have enjoyed authors such as Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), and Jerry Craft (New Kid).
I think it is important that teachers/administrators take a minute to read the first chapter of this book and reflect on our own interactions with students. The language being directed towards Donte, a 12 year old black student, is disgusting and loaded with bias. Although the principal in the scene may not have intentionally attempted to silence Donte, Donte is very much dismissed and disregarded in the scene. This happens in the first chapter, but minor spoiler alert: the principal decides to escalate a situation of Donte throwing his backpack down and calls the police.
bibliobrandie's review against another edition
3.0
While I liked Dante and his family and think this is an important discussion of race and identity, I had a hard time with parts of the plot, which felt formulaic (the underdog trope) at times. The arrest and then subplot of the civil rights court battle with Dante as the defendant was over in a few pages without further discussion. I think students will enjoy this book and the formulaic plot is really intended for the middle grade age, but as an adult reader I was left wanting more. There was a lot of fencing and while I enjoyed learning a bit about the sport, it did bog down the pace of the story at times. I will still recommend this to readers and think it's a great introduction to the inequality students of color experience in schools. The author's note at the end is great.
gallagirlreads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
bookbuyingwithkatie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jmatsumura's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! What makes this book superb is that it shows, not tells, about racism. I absolutely recommend it for all ages.
echoes01's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
brittneyfike's review against another edition
4.0
This books was wonderful. I enjoyed the
different experiences of the biracial brothers
who don't look alike. My favorite part of the
book was the amount of growth Donte made.
He truly found himself and I really loved how
his character developed.
different experiences of the biracial brothers
who don't look alike. My favorite part of the
book was the amount of growth Donte made.
He truly found himself and I really loved how
his character developed.