Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America

by Rita Omokha

What do the struggles of the past teach us about the urgent challenges in our own time? Resist chronicles the inspiring story of young Black activists who have fought tirelessly at the helm for justice over the last century, from the 1920s to the Trayvon generation—how they reshaped America, left an indelible mark on history, and pave the way for the crucial work that must be done today.

Growing up as a Nigerian immigrant in the South Bronx, award-winning journalist Rita Omokha contended with her Blackness. In 2020, when George Floyd died at the hands of a white police officer, her exploration further developed as she traveled to thirty states attempting to mine contemporary race relations in the U.S. During her trip, she encountered audacious young people like 17-year-old Darnella Frazier, who filmed Floyd’s murder, entering a seismic tragedy into the public and historical records, which in turn set off a wave of unprecedented protests across the country. Darnella’s quick thinking and courage in that moment is part of a more significant that of the young Black people—often only teenagers—who have been at the forefront of fortifying and safeguarding American democracy in the last hundred years.

In Resist, Rita charts the last century of that activism, from the early years of renowned activist Ella Baker, an HBCU student who established critical grassroots organizing networks in the 1920s, and others she inspired, who fought for policy changes in the wake of the unjust trial of the Scottsboro Nine to the first glimpse of allyship in the Bates Seven and a renewed examination of the Black Panthers, all the way to the current generation of young Black revolutionaries who walked American cities in the wake of the murders of countless Black people, from Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown to George Floyd. Rita also draws on her own experiences as a Black immigrant living in America, offering a unique and insightful perspective on this ongoing struggle for justice.

Rendered with empathy and care, Resist ties these pivotal stories together—and so many more that are lesser known—into one gripping narrative of resilience and unity, and how young Black activists redefined American history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Social Justice, Race, African American, Justice

352 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 2024

About the author

Rita Omokha is an award-winning Nigerian American journalist. Her writing on politics, race, and vulnerable communities has been featured on CNN and in Cosmopolitan, The Daily Beast, Elle, Glamour, The Guardian, New York Magazine, Vanity Fair, The Washington Post, WIRED, and elsewhere. She’s an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, where she graduated at the top of the 2020 class, receiving some of the institution’s highest awards, including the Pulitzer Prize Traveling Fellowship. She lives in Manhattan.

Reviews

[Dona's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of the subject.

Full review:

"The lesson to Black people … to everybody, is that you should always fight for your rights, even if it costs you your life. Stand up for your rights, even if it kills you. That’s all that life consists of.” p52

It’s important to know who these young ones were— who they really were —before they became iconic, transformative symbols of racial injustice. To know them, to know their stories, is to know that to be poor isn’t to be without value. p49

This book makes a wonderful primer for anyone wanting to know more about the history of Black activism in the US. Equal parts heartbreaking, eye-opening, and inspiring, I couldn’t stop turning the pages. This book contain an immense amount of information, so I don't recommend binging, but I definitely understand if you do.

Please be aware that this book contains content that certain readers may find challenging. Some trigger warnings include police violence, police shootings, nooses and lynching, racist political and justice systems, and more. Be sure to check the publisher's page for a complete list.

I recommend this book for readers interested in Black American history, history of racism in the US, Black activists and activism, criminal and social justice, and well-researched nonfiction.

Perspective breeds empathy, and empathy nurtures understanding. p176

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. The roots of resistance is in civility, for Ella Baker, and empathy, listening to stories of her grandmother, Josephine's enslavement. This is where Ella spent her formative years: a hallowed home that defined her calling, her point of being, her why. There, she was bathed in advocacy, becoming acutely aware of what an unranked society could be. One that was rooted in communal improvement and egalitarian principles , where you could involve yourself with people and their needs. There, she witnessed her family change their world inch by inch, person by person. p24

2. When you’re living in poverty and new to America and grouped into Blackness, you don’t know you’re also part of America’s history directly tied to race as it relates to sectionalism. All you know is survival. p31 A clear distinction in the experiences between African immigrants and Black Americans. Blackness is not a monolith.

3. This book is extremely well organized. There is an abundance of information here, and it could have easily overwhelmed the book. But she has arranged the information perfectly, down to how much data she delivers in each sentence. Beautiful writing!

4. I never knew this about flappers. I love when books teach me a new aspect about familiar history. Female performers known as flappers in the North embodied this new era of liberation and were christened the “new woman.” ...Flappers became a powerful symbol of women explicitly expressing their sexuality and primacy. p31

Rating: 🪧🪧🪧🪧.5 /5 protest signs
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Nov 4 '24
Format: Digital arc, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🟰 social equity
🪧 activism
⚖️ criminal justice reform
🇺🇲 US history
👩🏾‍🏫 Black history

Thank you to the author Rita Omokha, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of RESIST. All views are mine.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nonfiction book about Black folks in America's resistance historically and today. The narrative is powerful and empowering. This concentrates on the last hundred years of activism. Starting in 1920, and offers a focused snapshot of the last hundred years of Black activism in the US.

I was familiar with many of the folks whom this narrative covers. Even with my familiarity with these activists going into this, I found myself deeply emotionally involved. I binged this very quickly, but I would advise reading this slowly. Especially as an audiobook. Allowing yourself time to absorb and understand what is offered.

When I selected this to review for some reason, I had thought this was a book geared to teens or young adults. Lol, no, this is for adults. I would've read it as a young teen, but then I read The Color Purple in the 5th grade. I'm a weirdo.

This is challenging, and many aspects are upsetting, frustrating, and demoralizing. None the less this is an important book to understand why we are where we are and how we can move forward. I think this type of history is best consumed on audiobooks. This allows for the events covered to feel slightly more distant. Which allows me to absorb the text better. I purchased a copy of this for myself and have gifted it to another. This is safe for middle grade and high school but younger teens should read this with a parent. This has heavy themes.

This features a full cast and a high-quality production. The narrators that brought this to life are: André Santana, Angel Pean, Arsema Thomas, Brittany Bradford, Eric Lockley, Gabby Beans, Imani Jade Powers, Jelani Alladin, Joshua Quinn, and Rita Omokha.

Thank you to Rita Omokha, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is equal parts history lesson and memoir, and I really enjoyed the unique format. First, the author shared her background as a Nigerian immigrant along with the nuance of living in America, but not as a descendant of slavery. As the author eloquently relays, that fact still did not protect her from the discrimination and otherness stemming from the long held biases that began in the era of slavery. In subsequent chapters, she shares her thoughts on the historical subject matter in opening and closing remarks, almost in an editorial fashion, before providing an in depth look at the events, cultural climate and activists that shaped the civil rights movement and beyond. The author blends these historical facts with her own personal anecdotes, giving us a vivid picture of young Black activists who have been at the forefront of the fight for justice over the past century.

Resist" is not just a history lesson; it's a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the vital role that young activists continue to play. This book is a tribute to their resilience and a call to action for us to stay informed and involved.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review

[LaShanda Chamberlain · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Resist” is a knockout read on young Black activism In America that makes history feel alive and personal. It had me reflecting on my own life, regretting not speaking up more against injustice. The courage of these young activists is truly awe-inspiring. Spanning a century, the book takes us from pioneers like Ella Baker to today’s trailblazers, shaped by pivotal events like George Floyd’s death. Rita Omokha, with her Nigerian immigrant perspective, vividly illustrates how these activists have influenced American history and democracy. Omokha emphasizes that every injustice is worth fighting against.

This book really hits hard, and I was hooked from start to finish. A big shoutout to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for letting me dive into this advance copy!

[Shelby (catching up on 2025 reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look at youth-led movements across the last century. From Ella Baker to the young men and women who fought for the Scottsboro Nine, to the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd protests, and so much more, Omokha examines both well-known and lesser-known young Black activists of social justice movements. Engaging, inspiring, meticulously researched, and well-written, this is a must-read for anyone interested in grassroots activism and social justice.

🎧 The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by a full cast, including André Santana, Angel Pean, Arsema Thomas, Brittany Bradford, Eric Lockley, Gabby Beans, Imani Jade Powers, Jelani Alladin, Joshua Quinn, and Rita Omokha.

I highly recommend either format.

Thank you SMP for my gifted ebook, and Macmillan Audio for my gifted ALC.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid.

[Bianca Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rita Omokha's Resist shines in its stellar full-cast audiobook production, blending historical accounts of Black activism with her perspective as a Nigerian immigrant in America. The narrators deliver profound emotional resonance, particularly when tackling topics like police violence and systemic racism. Thoughtful pacing and immersive sound design amplify the listening experience, allowing space to reflect on the book's powerful truths.

The work weaves Omokha's personal reflections with stories of young activists who have shaped the civil rights movement, addressing heavy themes like lynching and oppression. Its accessible format preserves the gravity of this history while inviting deeper engagement, reinforcing the critical need to remain active in the fight for equality.

[Rilee | rilee_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so incredibly powerful! I loved how in depth it was but was still easy to follow. The history was so rich and in depth. I love how it was laid out by decades and talked about some of the lesser know activists who had a great impact. It’s definitely a hard book topic wise and I found myself angry, sad, and heartbroken throughout. But it’s such an important topic and this book really brings more light to the last 100 years of activism.


Thank you @stmartinspress for sending me a copy of this book!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5 gifted by the publisher

A great history/memoir/essay about black activism focusing on young activists. I really enjoyed the unique format of introducing the larger socio political environment, the activists involved in the movements, followed by the author’s short essay about the impacts of these essential events and people

A great introductory read to black resistance that’s very approachable!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers the history of resistance lead by Black Americans. Each chapter covers a decade, and tells both stories of individuals who fought back against oppression, as well as larger movements. It was extremely eye opening to discover how similar the movements of the past are to the present. It’s a good reminder that while a lot of work has been done, there’s unfortunately still a long way to go. Everyone could benefit from reading Resist, and hopefully it will spark more people to stand up to systems of oppression in the US and beyond.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the review copy!

[Daina (Dai2DaiReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Marina Marcello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America by Rita Omokha was a Macmillan Audio pick, and there’s no way I can review this book. It would be like reviewing history; one cannot rate facts. But let me tell you about it. Rita Omokha is a Nigerian immigrant who came to America at a very young age with her mother and brothers. Rita describes discovering her Blackness throughout her life–she says, “my identity has been defined by this uniquely American construct of race.” Rita received a degree in journalism shortly before the murder of George Floyd and she felt “jolted into action” when she saw the video of his slaying. She road-tripped and researched in order to gather better understanding of the current state of American culture and injustice, “Because the more we learn about each other and society, the further we move from the oblivion and hate that stems from ignorance. And the quicker we can move to the acceptance that comes from education and understanding.”

Rita begins the history she discusses throughout the book with The HBCU Revolts and Ella Baker–the former of which I wasn’t taught in school history (go figure) and the latter who was essentially a footnote in the history I learned. As for the rest of the activists and events throughout this book, most I had not heard of before, so I was really glad to be learning about people and events that were passed over in my education. Needless to say, my eyes were further opened; a decolonization of my mind has been happening since the killing of George Floyd, and this book was a huge help to me and my knowledge and understanding, and I really appreciate the work Rita put into this book for people who need this information. Because information is a need, education is essential, as Rita also professed throughout the book.

We must address our biases. I loved the story that Rita shared at the end of the book about having an open and constructive conversation with an elderly, white couple during which she and they came together to discuss differing ideas in a way that was not filled with hate and asked each other to consider varied points of view. In the end, Rita says, “unity is not about putting aside our differences or pretending they don’t exist. If it were, there would be no need to be unified in the first place. My conversation with Bev and Harry taught me that unity is coming together with our differences and recognizing that our dissimilarities enriches our collective experience. It requires open communication and a willingness to actively listen to understand. That kind of unity becomes a testament to our shared humanity and our ability to transcend barriers to create a more harmonious world that American democracy, the Constitution, aspires to.”

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resist: How a Century of Young Black Activists Shaped America by Rita Omokha tells readers/listeners about some civil rights heroes and heroines throughout the last 70 years or so. I learned a lot about many great freedom fighters I never learned about in school. While their stories were inspiring, I think younger readers would prefer to learn about more modern activists such as Darnella Frazier, who filmed Floyd’s murder. Her story is included in this book, but it is one of the only recent stories of activism included in the book. Still, I feel this book would make a great addition to middle and high school libraries.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a review copy of this audiobook.

[Lauren | TransportedLFL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the free book. These opinions are my own.

Rita Omokha is a Nigerian American journalist. She wrote this nonfiction book as a response to the Black Lives Matters protests in the summer of 2020. The book concludes with the young activitists, particularly here in Portland, OR, who led those protests. But she starts over a century earlier, chronicling the activism of Black youth.

Each chapter features a different set of activists, and they are woven together by Omokha's own reflections and life. I was previously unaware of some of the history included. And I was incredibly impressed by the context and reporting brought to bear to show how they all tied together.

This is an incredibly powerful and essential book. And it suggests a means for optimism. I recommend it for all who want to learn more about the history of racism and activism in the United States. And I especially recommend it for young people.

4.5 stars rounded up

[Alexander Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in depth and detailed account of the frequently acrimonious and tenuous relationship between people of color and European decent. While this book does not comprehensively cover the vast history, it picks examples with care that support the authors main thesis. Riveting, and sometimes grotesque, this book gives readers a front seat to the long and very bloody fight for equal rights and equitable treatment for people of color in this country.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book inspired me to continue believing that change is not only possible for people in power, but has through history been ushered in through the voices and courage of youth. It was painful to read through all they had experienced, but helps to build resilience in knowing that it gets easier. Great read!

[Gigi Griffis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really nice, readable summary of some key figures in resistance history. I also loved the author's intro about her own story and her ah-ha moment about her connection to these struggles. Really glad this book is going to be in the world.

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how this book was organized by focusing on activists throughout the decades. It really showed how resistance evolved over time. I also liked how the author spoke about her personal experiences and how they shaped her views.

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Yay!

[Sami Standish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of history told truthfully good format

[Carly Gillum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this audiobook and its history of resistance! I initially found the varying narrators to be a bit jarring, but I got used to it as I listened. I also thought the way the author intertwined her personal story into the narrative was well done. As always, change often comes from youth movements, so it’s informative to read this history in our current day and age.