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teamlarson's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a beautifully written book that holds so much power. The story telling is so seamless with such thought provoking and quotable thoughts woven in. Everything in the book is so intentional and it speaks volumes in such a short book. Coates’ feelings on race felt very original and personal. He thoughtfully avoided the same regurgitated ideas and cliches around racial discussions all while highlighting often ignored points of the body, intersectionality, masculinity, and the American dream. Even at its bare bones, it is a poignant letter written from a father to his son.
pronolagus's review against another edition
5.0
With passion and profound insight (obvious), Coates makes this very long letter to his son an open one. And it's important, particularly for Americans. It is, by turn, sad, wistful, joyous, and, ultimately, empowering. There's plenty of dread about the past reading it, but if the lessons of the construct of race can impart anything, it's that what was built, even across long centuries, can be dismantled. It won't be easy, but waking up and being conscious is the first stone undone.
barefootsierra's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Murder, Homophobia, Slavery, and Hate crime
Minor: Alcohol, Classism, and Colonisation
jenmangler's review
3.0
Like the best books, this one really made me think. It challenged me to think about things I've never really thought about.
allisong82's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
moralesm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
manadabomb's review against another edition
5.0
So once again, a TV show interview intrigued me enough to read the book featured. A bit late, you say? Yes, I know. Am I the intended audience? Probably not, but I learned some things anyways and isn't that the point?
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/s8kuhf/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-exclusive---ta-nehisi-coates-extended-interview-pt--1
Part I
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/q0a05w/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-exclusive---ta-nehisi-coates-extended-interview-pt--2
Part II
Coates wrote this (granted as a literary device) to his son, to try and explain why things are the way they are for African Americans. I remember being disgusted over the cases he talks about in the book, like Michael Brown, but I am fairly certain I won't end up in the same fate. As a woman, I probably have a different fate, but as a white woman, an even different one. I have never read anything that gave such perspective of growing up black in America. Then, in Coates' time and now, in his son's time.
This is a short audio book, around 3 hours, but so well worth the read. I cannot imagine trying to defend your child, who was shoved by a white woman, and being told that the white man could "Have you put in jail" and know that what he said is true. Coates would have went to jail without defense even though he was watching out for his kid.
To read about his friends dying because they were "driving while black", how cops, very crooked cops, got away with it and were put back on the street, how terrified he was at being pulled over because it could have meant his life. That's a world most of us do not live in, and one we really do not understand.
Basic rights and decency from others are not extended to African Amercians. And yet, people wonder why they are "so angry at everything". Wonder no more. In his eloquent way, Coates explains it to you. So you really need to listen.
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/s8kuhf/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-exclusive---ta-nehisi-coates-extended-interview-pt--1
Part I
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/q0a05w/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-exclusive---ta-nehisi-coates-extended-interview-pt--2
Part II
Coates wrote this (granted as a literary device) to his son, to try and explain why things are the way they are for African Americans. I remember being disgusted over the cases he talks about in the book, like Michael Brown, but I am fairly certain I won't end up in the same fate. As a woman, I probably have a different fate, but as a white woman, an even different one. I have never read anything that gave such perspective of growing up black in America. Then, in Coates' time and now, in his son's time.
This is a short audio book, around 3 hours, but so well worth the read. I cannot imagine trying to defend your child, who was shoved by a white woman, and being told that the white man could "Have you put in jail" and know that what he said is true. Coates would have went to jail without defense even though he was watching out for his kid.
To read about his friends dying because they were "driving while black", how cops, very crooked cops, got away with it and were put back on the street, how terrified he was at being pulled over because it could have meant his life. That's a world most of us do not live in, and one we really do not understand.
Basic rights and decency from others are not extended to African Amercians. And yet, people wonder why they are "so angry at everything". Wonder no more. In his eloquent way, Coates explains it to you. So you really need to listen.
nikread84's review against another edition
4.0
A great book, and more importantly - a great conversation starter.
hummusluvr69's review against another edition
4.0
150 pages of pure poetry and vivid imagery — shifted my perspective on nearly everything