Remember, You Are a Wiley

by Maya Wiley

A moving, politically charged memoir of surviving trauma and of the power of activism from MSNBC legal analyst, professor, civil rights lawyer and former New York City Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley

Born in a country that has repeatedly traumatized her and her loved ones, Maya Wiley grew up in a household that prioritized activism, hope, and resilience above all else. This attitude landed her father on President Nixon’s enemies list as her mother organized third-party political platforms. Still, they modeled hope for their children. In the decades since, she has borne witness as presidents and political figures used racism and fascism to gain power, and as cities have again and again elected white men, effectively shutting out people of color and women. Time after time she has been forced to confront death, injustice, and indifference—just as her Civil Rights activist parents did before her.

After a mayoral race that further exposed America's deep divisions, Wiley is ready to share her story and that of her parents: one of passion, possibility, and compassion in the face of fear and injustice. She also digs into how her previous struggles informed her platform, driving her to represent those who have similarly felt voiceless or ignored. In facing and sharing her own past, Wiley shows readers how they too can remain optimistic in the face of adversity.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography Memoir, Biography, Social Justice, History

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

Reviews

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

Remember, You Are a Wiley is a poignant, powerful memoir that weaves personal narrative with social and political commentary. Rooted in her upbringing in a politically active family (with a father on Nixon's watchlist), Wiley reflects on her experiences with systemic injustice through the intersectional lens of race, gender, and class. This memoir serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of remaining hopeful and resilient in the ongoing fight for equality and social justice.

[Lisa Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book incredibly touching and revealing. It is a didactic novel that is determined to shine a light on racism, fascism and injustice.

Maya Wiley grew up in a household of activists. Her parents wanted to instill a sense of hope and optimism when it seemed there was none for people of color.

I gained insight into the deep divisions in the political climate, now and in the past. We need people who are willing to stand up for equality and the Wiley family is a great example of that.

I’m appreciative to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this amazing 4-star book.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve admired Maya Wiley for her candid and astute commentary on civil rights and legal issues, and learned a little more about her during her run for mayor of New York City. Hearing the fullness of her personal story, I have a deeper appreciation for her commitment to human rights and the dignity of every person. And, oh my — what a fantastic mayor she would have been!

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of a surreal read, as I have gotten updates on Maya’s life all of my life, since we are family. I loved hearing her story in her voice and getting all of the details filled in, even the hard to hear ones. An important legacy of lessons and hardships and triumphs.

[Haerlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Description
A moving, politically-charged memoir of surviving trauma and the power of activism from MSNBC legal analyst, professor, civil rights lawyer and former New York City Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley.

Born in a country that has repeatedly traumatized her and her loved ones, Maya Wiley grew up in a household that prioritized activism, hope, and resilience above all else. This attitude landed her father on President Nixon’s enemies list as her mother organized third-party political platforms. Still, they modeled hope for their children. In the decades since, she has borne witness as presidents and political figures used racism and fascism to gain power, and as cities have again and again elected white men, effectively shutting out people of color and women from having a political voice. As a result, she has been forced, time after time, to confront death, injustice, and indifference—just as her Civil Rights activist parents did before her.

After a mayoral race that further exposed our country’s deep divisions, Maya is ready to share her story and that of her parents: one of passion, possibility, and compassion in the face of fear and injustice. She takes readers through her unconventional upbringing, her father George Wiley‘s tragic death and the resulting trauma, as well as how her experiences spoke to racial, gender, and class identity. Against this painful backdrop, Maya charts her journey of coming into herself and finding hope in a dire political landscape. She also digs into how her previous struggles informed her platform, driving her to represent those who have similarly felt voiceless or ignored. In facing and sharing her own past, Maya shows readers how they too can remain optimistic in the face of adversity.

Born in a country that has repeatedly traumatized her and her loved ones, Maya Wiley grew up in a household that prioritized activism, hope, and resilience above all else. This attitude landed her father on President Nixon’s enemies list as her mother organized third-party political platforms. Still, they modeled hope for their children. In the decades since, she has borne witness as presidents and political figures used racism and fascism to gain power, and as cities have again and again elected white men, effectively shutting out people of color and women from having a political voice. As a result, she has been forced, time after time, to confront death, injustice, and indifference—just as her Civil Rights activist parents did before her.

After a mayoral race that further exposed our country’s deep divisions, Maya is ready to share her story and that of her parents: one of passion, possibility, and compassion in the face of fear and injustice. She takes readers through her unconventional upbringing, her father George Wiley‘s tragic death and the resulting trauma, as well as how her experiences spoke to racial, gender, and class identity. Against this painful backdrop, Maya charts her journey of coming into herself and finding hope in a dire political landscape. She also digs into how her previous struggles informed her platform, driving her to represent those who have similarly felt voiceless or ignored. In facing and sharing her own past, Maya shows readers how they too can remain optimistic in the face of adversity, professor, and budding politician

My Take:
Maya Wiley initially caught my attention with her legal analyst segments on MSNBC. It wasn't until I read her memoir that I learned about her activist background and legacy, which has given me a deeper understanding of Wiley. This memoir is a great read for MSNBC enthusiasts, political science scholars, those fascinated by American history, and beyond.

[Gayle Slagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember, You are a Wiley by Maya Wily is both a touching memoir and an insightful commentary on social and political issues. I have admired Wiley for her commentary on MSNBC on civil rights and legal issues for years; her analysis is always intelligent and demonstrates her respect for others. Maya grew up in a household that revolved around activism, hope and resilience. Born to a black father, who was on President Nixon's enemy list and a white mother who helped organize third-party political policies, Maya grew up seeing first hand how political figures sometimes shut out people of color from having a voice and forced her to see the injustice in the world. After witnessing the tragic death of her father in a boating accident when she was nine, Maya was traumatized for years, but through the resilience taught her by her family, she is able to overcome this and become a successful lawyer, professor, commentator, and politician. She can now add successful author to this list after writing Remember, You are a Wiley.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have nothing but admiration for Maya Wiley. She's a lawyer, professor, and like her parents, an activist. Her parents were activists at a time of great unrest in the United States for people of colour. I grew up in those times and remember it well. It was a hard time for people of colour to get through. And to stand up for your rights then could get you beaten if not killed. For Maya, standing up for her rights and others was ingrained into her from birth. She's still fighting that fight. I love listening to her on the news channels so it's nice to learn more about her as you do with this book. I don't know how she remains so pleasant with some of the things she saw and experienced.

Highly recommend. It's a great autobiography and as an added bonus you'll learn about the fight for civil rights in the 60s.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the memoir. It was a fast read for me. The only thing I regret about her storytelling is that she could absolutely weave policy and legislation into her personal story because that's her experience. She was entitled to get a bit pedantic and perfunctory with her legal success. The most important affirmation was the truth that the undermining of progressive policy comes from the very people these solutions are meant to help. The intelligence and citizen competence needed to empowered.

[Sophia Brunetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya Wiley’s memoir was poignant, strong, and intimate. The beautiful details about her family life, the way she described her relationship with her mother, and the interactions she had with mentors and colleagues were so touching to read. She truly spoke so highly of these people who she spent her career around. And the details she shared regarding the loss of her father and mother felt so genuine and intimate it felt like you were hearing about them in a cozy living room at a family gathering.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting memoir recanting the civil rights era from the perspective of the author’s parents to today and Maya Wiley’s own impactful activism. Started off a bit mundane but picked up once she shared her father’s tragic death and her launch into activism. I appreciated her honesty regarding the trauma and the expectations of others. What passion and commitment to civil rights!
The date of George Floyd’s murder a glaring editing error.

[Jim Curtin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, on a family of civil rights activists that I wasn't familiar with. I really liked the parts taking place in NY, for the reminder that racism and the work to dismantle it isn't bound by the Mason-Dixon

[Megan Ruskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool little bio of a lifelong civil rights advocate.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for your activism— and now we know where you got your courage and voice!

[J R · Rating 4 out of 5]

touching and interesting activism memoir by a very interesting person who i first heard about when going through the mayoral elections. tysm for the arc. would recommend. 4 stars.

[DeeDee Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoir everyone needs to read! Maya Wiley!!! We should all seek to be activists.

[Madeleine Mills-Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book. Maya brings a very unique perspective to the Civil Rights era. I truly enjoyed reading about the similarities she saw between the movements and issues in the 1960s and the movements and issues we face today. She does a great job at highlighting issues that are still prevailing and have been but how today, with phones, we can better give voice to people and issues that didn't have a voice before.

[Sharron · Rating 3 out of 5]

I put this on my list after seeing her at Sixth & I, she was moderating for someone else but talked about her book, but it was disappointing.