Reviews

The Burden: African Americans and the Enduring Impact of Slavery by

alice_speilburg's review against another edition

5.0

What an incredible collection of voices, backgrounds, and perspectives on the enduring impact of slavery. This opened my eyes to notable history I feel I should have learned at some point (like how an African American woman was nominated for VP of the US in 1952) and to everyday nuances that I've never stopped to consider before (the way that black girls are criminalized and sexualized from a very young age). With essays from men and women; journalists, academics, and actors; those sharing personal stories and those sharing broader social critiques, The Burden is a must-read, and emphasizes that we must acknowledge the continuing impact of slavery if we are to ever move forward.

edebell's review against another edition

5.0

Ms. Riley has responded with brilliance to the charge that no black Americans alive today have suffered from slavery — by compiling a set of essays that detail personal and cultural experiences in the post-slavery era. For those who understand that slavery imposed a burden that still affects African Americans today, they will like to support the collection, will enjoy the insight of the essays, and will find new anecdotes that assist in those discussions. For those who believe continued racial or slavery discussions hinder the path to equality or believe that African Americans in today’s world now have equal opportunity despite a burdensome past, I encourage you to read these essays, both to hear different perspectives and to challenge those ideas. The Burden is an unapologetic and thought-provoking collection, and I am grateful the writers spent the emotional labor—another aspect of The Burden—to share their experiences and foster continued dialogue.

P.S. I don’t want to take away from importance of the content, but I am compelled as a publisher to compliment the cover design. It’s so excellent.