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A review by bookrantreviews
My Time Among the Whites: Notes from an Unfinished Education by Jennine Capó Crucet
5.0
If any white person wants to deny white privilege exists -- or simply doesn't understand what it means (exactly), I encourage them to read books written by people of color, such as this one. Jennine Capo Crucet is a first generation American born to Cuban immigrant parents. "My Time Among Whites" is basically a series of essays about her life as a Latinx woman in a very white America.
While some books I've read focus on bigger racial issues, like systemic racism, this book shone light on the smaller things I've never thought about. Imagine a word processing program always putting that red squiggly line under your name, because it's not a 'white' name. Imagine trying to look 'more white' so a landlord will rent to you. Imagine keeping your heritage a secret, because someone you're forced to deal with hates the true you. Imagine having to consider how white people will feel about an event you host (such as a wedding) if you incorporate too much of your culture. White people don't have a culture, so to speak. The while culture is the standard. It's the norm. We, as white people, have never given it a second thought -- or considered if our ways of doing things would make someone of color feel uncomfortable. It's another manifestation of white privilege.
I'm grateful I got to read this book. I'm grateful the author shared details from her life so frankly and poignantly. I feel as if books like this open my eyes a little more with each one I read. "My Time Among the Whites" is a powerful book, but it's sad that in 2020 a book like this needs to be written.
While some books I've read focus on bigger racial issues, like systemic racism, this book shone light on the smaller things I've never thought about. Imagine a word processing program always putting that red squiggly line under your name, because it's not a 'white' name. Imagine trying to look 'more white' so a landlord will rent to you. Imagine keeping your heritage a secret, because someone you're forced to deal with hates the true you. Imagine having to consider how white people will feel about an event you host (such as a wedding) if you incorporate too much of your culture. White people don't have a culture, so to speak. The while culture is the standard. It's the norm. We, as white people, have never given it a second thought -- or considered if our ways of doing things would make someone of color feel uncomfortable. It's another manifestation of white privilege.
I'm grateful I got to read this book. I'm grateful the author shared details from her life so frankly and poignantly. I feel as if books like this open my eyes a little more with each one I read. "My Time Among the Whites" is a powerful book, but it's sad that in 2020 a book like this needs to be written.