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jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the book overall, but felt it lacked focus in some sections. Chapter 6, "Socialists and Quota Queens," was particularly thought-provoking and made the less-focused sections worth it.
janada59's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! Oluo has been a favourite author of mine, and the way she combines her own experience, history and research always keeps me reading and wanting to read more.
3 things that stood out to me, long after I read them the first time:
"We have, as a society, somehow convinced ourselves that we should be led by incompetent assholes" (p. 10)
"in 2017, four confident, talented, unapologetic young women of color were elected to Congress, and everyone freaked the fuck out" (p. 223)
"We have to investigate the way in which all of us, regardless of race or gender, have been conditioned to uphold white male supremacy" (p. 275).
3 things that stood out to me, long after I read them the first time:
"We have, as a society, somehow convinced ourselves that we should be led by incompetent assholes" (p. 10)
"in 2017, four confident, talented, unapologetic young women of color were elected to Congress, and everyone freaked the fuck out" (p. 223)
"We have to investigate the way in which all of us, regardless of race or gender, have been conditioned to uphold white male supremacy" (p. 275).
prettypious's review against another edition
5.0
I deleted and rewrote this review five times because nothing I could write would adequately capture what I’m thinking and feeling about this book. This one is def going to end up in the Collins-Crenshaw-A.Cooper-B. Cooper-Harris Perry etc canon.
daumari's review against another edition
5.0
Unfortunately an evergreen topic: the systemic ways in which society is structured to support and enforce white men in leadership across fields, industries, genres. I'm from the intermountain west, so the opening chapter on Buffalo Bill Cody, the Bundy family, and the myth of 'taming' the West at the cost of mass genocide and poor land management practices was immediately familiar (how often do we hear a potential state politician say they're a 5th generation Idahoan etc.? awfully often, tbh even though I maintain that there's not a good metric for measuring inherent "Americanness" etc.)
Very comprehensive overview with end notes. I ended up reading the sports chapter during Super Bowl Sunday so the thought about Black bodies benefitting white owners was very much on display.
Very comprehensive overview with end notes. I ended up reading the sports chapter during Super Bowl Sunday so the thought about Black bodies benefitting white owners was very much on display.
eamcmahon3's review against another edition
4.0
I particularly liked the chapters Cowboys and Patriots: How the West Was Won and Go F*cking Play: Football and the Fear of Black Men.
kurlykarina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Very informative. Had to take breaks while reading because it was emotionally provoking. Felt like it was lacking transitions between the chapters but overall a necessary read to gain a better understanding of the topic.
youngthespian42's review against another edition
2.0
George Floyd sent me on a deep anti-racism path in 2020-21. I also spent a lot of time educating myself about the right extremist threads in America engaging with It Could Happen Here, I Don't Speak German, QAnon Anonymous Podcast. These sources are much better resources for learning about the white supremacy threat in America.
Oluo's book is beautifully written but has very little investigative rigor behind it. We cannot fix complicated complicated ideological and violence issues with cultural studies writing. If the core argument of her book is these men are getting pushed to extremes by being talked down to or left behind how will this book help those issues?
Oluo's book is beautifully written but has very little investigative rigor behind it. We cannot fix complicated complicated ideological and violence issues with cultural studies writing. If the core argument of her book is these men are getting pushed to extremes by being talked down to or left behind how will this book help those issues?
thoughtsstained's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
5.0
This book just cemented Oluo for me as a powerhouse writer; one who should be supported and listened to. It also should be required reading for anyone who is white. I am so excited to read her next book, whenever it comes out!