Reviews

Imaginary Borders by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez

cmlane's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Not much to say about such a short book, but with the length it had, it made some very sobering and powerful statements about climate justice and our place in its movement. However, because of the length, I felt Martinez talked too much about their music and not enough about what the average person can do to help. 

I love the idea of expanding the idea of types of activism and how art can be activism. I wish I had more examples besides writing music to do this.

rach_fornow's review against another edition

Go to review page

Lack of focus on structures makes it seem like the author is saying it’s about how much we care. Like if teenagers just cared more the climate catastrophe would be addressed but doesn’t touch on how this energy gets diverted/stamped out. 
Also uncritically promotes the Green New Deal without addressing how it isn’t enough/is a liberal and capitalistic plan that isn’t liberatory. 
For something aimed at teens, the text remains too liberal and doesn’t encourage a more radical approach that is necessary. 

ensara's review

Go to review page

i found this book in the Native American Heritage Reads display of my library and decided to pick it up.

it's a quick read and gave me a lot to think about. we take Earth for granted, and the climate crisis is much more than ice melting. the impact it leaves on minorities and Indigenous communities is usually forgotten. 

an informative and pretty cool book overall!

shawnapantzke's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative tense fast-paced

4.5

voicenextdoor's review

Go to review page

informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

haileyannereads's review

Go to review page

5.0

Everyone needs to read this book. It's short but packed with information. It made me see things in a completely new light.

ingridboring's review

Go to review page

4.0

Dissects the connection between race and climate change. Exploitation of people and resources has been the foundation for the current western world.

lathramb's review

Go to review page

4.0

All for interrogating a single approach to activism. Martinez grew up as a youth climate activism that used art, and still does, to shape his movement spaces, arguing for more relational activism where we see each approach as interconnected with another.

megan_danyelle's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

the_readingraven's review

Go to review page

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

This is a great intro into climate change activism for young people. As a 31 year old, it is a bit embarrassing to say that I am just now taking activism seriously and realizing the power my voice can have. For someone that doesn't have much clue about activist groups or causes, this is a great little stepping stone to learn about someone who has been a voice for climate change at a young age. If you are a person that has been about that life for sometime, this might be a bit too surface level for you. 

Xiuhtezcatl explains big issues in an easy way to understand. He shares his experiences with being a young activist, as well as the burnout he felt throughout the years. It was great to see him use music as another element to stay motivated in activism and reach other people. I am a firm believer that music is powerful and can change people, I'm happy to see a young person use their talents for such causes.