What do you think?
Rate this book
Say Their Names: How Black Lives Came to Matter in America
This definitive guide to America's present-day racial reckoning examines the forces that pushed our unjust system to its breaking point after the death of George Floyd.
For many, the story of the weeks of protests in the summer of 2020 began with the horrific nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds when Police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on camera, and it ended with the sweeping federal, state, and intrapersonal changes that followed. It is a simple story, wherein white America finally witnessed enough brutality to move their collective consciousness. The only problem is that it isn't true. George Floyd was not the first Black man to be killed by police—he wasn’t even the first to inspire nation-wide protests—yet his death came at a time when America was already at a tipping point.
In Say Their Names , five seasoned journalists probe this critical shift. With a piercing examination of how inequality has been propagated throughout history, from Black imprisonment and the Convict Leasing program to long-standing predatory medical practices to over-policing, the authors highlight the disparities that have long characterized the dangers of being Black in America. They examine the many moderate attempts to counteract these inequalities, from the modern Civil Rights movement to Ferguson, and how the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others pushed compliance with an unjust system to its breaking point. Finally, they outline the momentous changes that have resulted from this movement, while at the same time proposing necessary next steps to move forward.
With a combination of penetrating, focused journalism and affecting personal insight, the authors bring together their collective years of reporting, creating a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of racial inequality in America.
For many, the story of the weeks of protests in the summer of 2020 began with the horrific nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds when Police Officer Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd on camera, and it ended with the sweeping federal, state, and intrapersonal changes that followed. It is a simple story, wherein white America finally witnessed enough brutality to move their collective consciousness. The only problem is that it isn't true. George Floyd was not the first Black man to be killed by police—he wasn’t even the first to inspire nation-wide protests—yet his death came at a time when America was already at a tipping point.
In Say Their Names , five seasoned journalists probe this critical shift. With a piercing examination of how inequality has been propagated throughout history, from Black imprisonment and the Convict Leasing program to long-standing predatory medical practices to over-policing, the authors highlight the disparities that have long characterized the dangers of being Black in America. They examine the many moderate attempts to counteract these inequalities, from the modern Civil Rights movement to Ferguson, and how the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others pushed compliance with an unjust system to its breaking point. Finally, they outline the momentous changes that have resulted from this movement, while at the same time proposing necessary next steps to move forward.
With a combination of penetrating, focused journalism and affecting personal insight, the authors bring together their collective years of reporting, creating a cohesive and comprehensive understanding of racial inequality in America.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2021
18 people are currently reading
3198 people want to read
About the author
Curtis Bunn
15 books51 followersCurtis Bunn, a Washington, D.C. native and graduate of Norfolk State University, is an Essence No. 1 best-selling author whose ability to expose the mind, thoughts, motivations and vulnerabilities of his characters has made him a reader’s favorite.
In his latest offering, “A Cold Piece of Work” (July 2011, Strebor Books), Curtis again delivers an engaging work in an original story that takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey. Solomon Singletary is an ideal catch — except that he finds it more satisfying to leave women than to please them — and sometimes after pleasing them. Years later, he encounters one of his “victims,” and immediately realizes he made a serious mistake. His mission then is to recapture Michele Williams’ heart, thinking reuniting with her would turn his cold heart warm. The odyessy features surprising subplots and twists that keeps the pages turning.
In 2001, Curtis crafted his first novel, “Baggage Check” and watched in amazement as it became a word-of-mouth national success. The audacious, moving and funny story of Greg, Larry and Julian blossomed into a must-read for women and book clubs who sought a genuine peak into the psyche of men. Significantly, men embraced the book as an accurate depiction of their mindset, motivations and conflicts. It debuted as No. 2 on the Essence best-sellers list and It was on the list for five months, including ascending to No. 1 in August of 2001.
In 2009, Curtis self-published “That Was Then This Is Now,” the much-anticipated followup to “Baggage Check” and it is another literary achievement, a virtual tour inside the minds of men. Amid the realistic and engaging plots and subplots, you discover the motivations of the male characters as they contend with true-life relationship issues; their innermost thoughts about women and how to deal with them; and insightful male personality idiosyncrasies – vantage points that educate and entertain at once. As you go on this riveting odyssey with Larry, Julian and Greg, you will laugh, you will cry and . . . you will learn. And you will definitely want more.
Just as with its predecessor, this sequel is written with deft prose and and honest, raw insight. It is a triumph that begs for another follow up entry.
Meeting with book clubs to discuss “Baggage Check” inspired Curtis to create the National Book Club Conference in 2003. It became such a strong coming together of readers and authors that he was named to the “Power List” by Black Issues Book Review Magazine. Now, the NBCC is the must-attend literary event of the year.
Curtis also contributed the short story, “Home Alone” in the anthology, “After Hours: Black Men Writing On Erotica.”
The Journalist: As a sports journalist, Curtis worked for The Washington Times, New York Newsday, New York Daily News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covering the New Jersey Nets for three years, the New York Knicks for eight years, two Olympics (Seoul, Korea in 1988 and Sydney, Australia 200), 17 NBA Finals, five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, four World Series, championship boxing, college football bowl games, six Masters golf championships and so much more. He has been awarded for his writing by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, The Associated Press Sportswriters Association and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists numerous times.
The Professor: Since 2008, Curtis has served as an adjunct professor/guest lecturer at Morehouse College in the Sports Reporting class, which is part of the Journalism and Sports Program founded by film director Spike Lee and the late, great journalist Ralph WIley.
Curtis, who lives near Atlanta, has a son, Curt, and a daughter, Gwen (Bunny), www.gwenbunn.com.
In his latest offering, “A Cold Piece of Work” (July 2011, Strebor Books), Curtis again delivers an engaging work in an original story that takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey. Solomon Singletary is an ideal catch — except that he finds it more satisfying to leave women than to please them — and sometimes after pleasing them. Years later, he encounters one of his “victims,” and immediately realizes he made a serious mistake. His mission then is to recapture Michele Williams’ heart, thinking reuniting with her would turn his cold heart warm. The odyessy features surprising subplots and twists that keeps the pages turning.
In 2001, Curtis crafted his first novel, “Baggage Check” and watched in amazement as it became a word-of-mouth national success. The audacious, moving and funny story of Greg, Larry and Julian blossomed into a must-read for women and book clubs who sought a genuine peak into the psyche of men. Significantly, men embraced the book as an accurate depiction of their mindset, motivations and conflicts. It debuted as No. 2 on the Essence best-sellers list and It was on the list for five months, including ascending to No. 1 in August of 2001.
In 2009, Curtis self-published “That Was Then This Is Now,” the much-anticipated followup to “Baggage Check” and it is another literary achievement, a virtual tour inside the minds of men. Amid the realistic and engaging plots and subplots, you discover the motivations of the male characters as they contend with true-life relationship issues; their innermost thoughts about women and how to deal with them; and insightful male personality idiosyncrasies – vantage points that educate and entertain at once. As you go on this riveting odyssey with Larry, Julian and Greg, you will laugh, you will cry and . . . you will learn. And you will definitely want more.
Just as with its predecessor, this sequel is written with deft prose and and honest, raw insight. It is a triumph that begs for another follow up entry.
Meeting with book clubs to discuss “Baggage Check” inspired Curtis to create the National Book Club Conference in 2003. It became such a strong coming together of readers and authors that he was named to the “Power List” by Black Issues Book Review Magazine. Now, the NBCC is the must-attend literary event of the year.
Curtis also contributed the short story, “Home Alone” in the anthology, “After Hours: Black Men Writing On Erotica.”
The Journalist: As a sports journalist, Curtis worked for The Washington Times, New York Newsday, New York Daily News and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, covering the New Jersey Nets for three years, the New York Knicks for eight years, two Olympics (Seoul, Korea in 1988 and Sydney, Australia 200), 17 NBA Finals, five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, four World Series, championship boxing, college football bowl games, six Masters golf championships and so much more. He has been awarded for his writing by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, The Associated Press Sportswriters Association and the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists numerous times.
The Professor: Since 2008, Curtis has served as an adjunct professor/guest lecturer at Morehouse College in the Sports Reporting class, which is part of the Journalism and Sports Program founded by film director Spike Lee and the late, great journalist Ralph WIley.
Curtis, who lives near Atlanta, has a son, Curt, and a daughter, Gwen (Bunny), www.gwenbunn.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 5, 2021
At the start of this year, I resolved to diversify my reading. 2020 was a historic year for many reasons, but the call to action around the racial inequities that have plagued our country from the very beginning really moved me. I felt called to do more, share more, and learn more. An act as simple as seeking out work by a more diverse set of authors seemed like the least I could do. In the ensuing months, I've read so many incredible works that have challenged me, educated me, and moved me, each providing a perspective that I would not have normally been exposed to. When Grand Central Publishing sent me Say Their Names, a collection of essays chronicling the history and impact of the Black Lives Matter movement, I jumped at the opportunity to read it and share it here.
The book opens with Curtis Bunn's essay Why Black Lives Matter Matters. Bunn sets straight the misinformation surrounding the movement. You see, for a lot of white Americans, the Black Lives Matter movement began when officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd. The horrific abuse of power was filmed and shared across traditional and social media, rousing many Americans to call for justice. Likewise, for many of those same Americans, the entire matter was put to rest with cities and states issuing sweeping memorandums and reforms for their police departments and Chauvin being found guilty for murdering Floyd. If only it was that easy! Bunn traces the origins of BLM back to 2014 when young Travon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman. The roots of the movement, though, run deeply intertwined with the civil rights movement of the 1960s. More importantly, the continued injustice in policing, wealth, education, and so much more has continued to plague the Black community far beyond the tragedy with George Floyd.
I was particularly moved by another essay by Bunn titled Black Women Stand Tall. It highlights the importance that Black women have held in recent developments within the cause, especially considering that the movement has historically been headed by men, specifically religious leaders. Bunn points to women like Stacy Abrams who turned her personal political loss in Georgia, into a stirring resolve to register voters, educate them, and help them to elect leaders who would truly fight for them. All of this, of course, resulted in the state voting in two Democrats in their Senate election, an upset for the status quo that in a large part caused Abrams to be defeated in the first place. With the likes of Kamala Harris elected to the second-highest office in the land, and countless mayors leading their cities to reform long-held, racist policies, Bunn recognized the importance of women helping to lead the cause forward.
Whether you are just beginning to read more about the Black Lives Matter movement or are looking for a way to expand your knowledge on the subject, Say Their Names is well worth the read. I found the collection to not only contain a ton of history and context but also provide a more rounded perspective from the authors and the people featured in their writing. The authors do a fair job touting the successes of the movement while equalling calling for changes in areas that they see as lacking. For example, by having a movement with no central leader, there is sometimes the need for more transparency in how money is being collected and who is deciding how to fund things. The authors also point out the need for more diversification within the movement itself, particularly the need for more women and LGBTQ+ representation. Say Their Names is a fantastic overview of the history, people, and actions taken and needed within the movement for racial justice. I'm thankful that books like this continue to be published and read, and I hope that we all continue to do our part to make a more equitable world.
The book opens with Curtis Bunn's essay Why Black Lives Matter Matters. Bunn sets straight the misinformation surrounding the movement. You see, for a lot of white Americans, the Black Lives Matter movement began when officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd. The horrific abuse of power was filmed and shared across traditional and social media, rousing many Americans to call for justice. Likewise, for many of those same Americans, the entire matter was put to rest with cities and states issuing sweeping memorandums and reforms for their police departments and Chauvin being found guilty for murdering Floyd. If only it was that easy! Bunn traces the origins of BLM back to 2014 when young Travon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman. The roots of the movement, though, run deeply intertwined with the civil rights movement of the 1960s. More importantly, the continued injustice in policing, wealth, education, and so much more has continued to plague the Black community far beyond the tragedy with George Floyd.
I was particularly moved by another essay by Bunn titled Black Women Stand Tall. It highlights the importance that Black women have held in recent developments within the cause, especially considering that the movement has historically been headed by men, specifically religious leaders. Bunn points to women like Stacy Abrams who turned her personal political loss in Georgia, into a stirring resolve to register voters, educate them, and help them to elect leaders who would truly fight for them. All of this, of course, resulted in the state voting in two Democrats in their Senate election, an upset for the status quo that in a large part caused Abrams to be defeated in the first place. With the likes of Kamala Harris elected to the second-highest office in the land, and countless mayors leading their cities to reform long-held, racist policies, Bunn recognized the importance of women helping to lead the cause forward.
Whether you are just beginning to read more about the Black Lives Matter movement or are looking for a way to expand your knowledge on the subject, Say Their Names is well worth the read. I found the collection to not only contain a ton of history and context but also provide a more rounded perspective from the authors and the people featured in their writing. The authors do a fair job touting the successes of the movement while equalling calling for changes in areas that they see as lacking. For example, by having a movement with no central leader, there is sometimes the need for more transparency in how money is being collected and who is deciding how to fund things. The authors also point out the need for more diversification within the movement itself, particularly the need for more women and LGBTQ+ representation. Say Their Names is a fantastic overview of the history, people, and actions taken and needed within the movement for racial justice. I'm thankful that books like this continue to be published and read, and I hope that we all continue to do our part to make a more equitable world.
August 24, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is an incredibly important read for every American, and honestly it’s even more important for white Americans to read. I pride myself on not only being “not racist,” but instead vehemently “anti racist,” but this book opened my eyes and my heart even further. Out of all my NetGalley ARCs, this one stands at the top of my list for most impactful. Please, read this book. ASAP. I received this book in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.
November 3, 2021
Hands down, this book is required reading. For those continuing their journey being anti-racist, this book is an absolute must. Not only do we dive into the history of racism, Bunn and the authors spend a lot of book explaining recent events, which every reader will be able to remember.
I think this book may resonate a lot with folks, because as I just said, readers will remember these events happening in real time. As we learned (some) history in school and continue to do learn as each day passes, I think being able to think of history as recent news rather than events that occurred 300 ago years may resonate more with people. I know that’s how I am. History was BOR-ING in school, but now, as I watch the world around me, it motivates me to learn more about the roots of events throughout history.
My only request? More chapters in this book! All the chapters were long, and rightfully so, but part of me wanted to divide it a little more. I felt like in the middle of a chapter or towards the end of one, the topic that was at the beginning didn’t connect too much with the end. It felt like a few chapters had too long of a tangent.
But either way, this book has a lot of great information in here, including the Georgia Senate race and how we flipped the state blue for Biden. It was pretty cool reading that knowing I was included in that difference.
Big thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the finished copy!
I think this book may resonate a lot with folks, because as I just said, readers will remember these events happening in real time. As we learned (some) history in school and continue to do learn as each day passes, I think being able to think of history as recent news rather than events that occurred 300 ago years may resonate more with people. I know that’s how I am. History was BOR-ING in school, but now, as I watch the world around me, it motivates me to learn more about the roots of events throughout history.
My only request? More chapters in this book! All the chapters were long, and rightfully so, but part of me wanted to divide it a little more. I felt like in the middle of a chapter or towards the end of one, the topic that was at the beginning didn’t connect too much with the end. It felt like a few chapters had too long of a tangent.
But either way, this book has a lot of great information in here, including the Georgia Senate race and how we flipped the state blue for Biden. It was pretty cool reading that knowing I was included in that difference.
Big thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the finished copy!
July 19, 2022
The easiest way to describe this book, for me, is that it attempts to explain and explore the Black Lives Matter movement — especially its 2020 iteration and worldwide impact — as well as place BLM in historical and cultural context: as it relates to previous Black rights movements in the United States as well as ongoing shifts in the country.
It was well worth reading, though I had trouble with parts of it. (My troubles were literary complaints, not with the information presented for the perspectives of the authors.)
(I have published a longer review on my website.)
October 26, 2021
A vitally important book!!!
October 6, 2021
Offsetting the one star reviews clearly from people who rated based on the title alone.
January 19, 2022
(Book Review) Say Their Names: How the Black Lives Came to America
In honor of Martin Luther King's Jr. Day (which was this past Monday on the 17th of January), I wanted to review a book regarding the Black Lives Matter movement in America. "Say Their Names" is a recently published powerful book that speaks openly about how much-ingrained racism is within our justice system and the world today.
In the book, I found there to be more background, historical evidence for the underlying motivations of how systematic racism started early on during the Civil Rights movement, during Martin Luther King Jr's time. The right to have fair legislation, dealing with unfair policing, and the rise of Black voters are all one of many topics that are expounded upon, in regards to connecting how the Black Lives Matter movement came to a tipping point when George Floyd was murdered on May 2020. I found there to be heavy, painful, and contextual information in regards to the BLM movement in America, which in many ways was a bit challenging to read and go through, but infinitely vital today.
For the BLM movement in America, this was published shortly after President Biden's election, which really was eye-opening concerning how fact-based the information was in its relevancy. Even COVID's impact on the BLM movement was analyzed and properly deconstructed as well. I was curious to see what solutions would be possible for the current situation of the BLM movement, but it is very difficult to single-handedly pinpoint just one cause of racism in America. I think this book did a profound job with its evidential-based research with a "call to action" towards the very end, which is just what we need in our day and time.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.
I highly recommend this book to fellow bibliophiles and readers everywhere!
Thank you to @grandcentralpub for the complimentary book.
#reading #bookstagram #books #book #booklover #bookworm #bookish #bookstagrammer #bookaddict #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #instabook #love #booksofinstagram #reader #bookaholic #nojusticenopeace #readabooktochildren #writing #booklove #literature #blacklivesmatter #booksbooksbooks #b #instabooks #author #bookblogger #blm #saytheirnames #socialjustice
In honor of Martin Luther King's Jr. Day (which was this past Monday on the 17th of January), I wanted to review a book regarding the Black Lives Matter movement in America. "Say Their Names" is a recently published powerful book that speaks openly about how much-ingrained racism is within our justice system and the world today.
In the book, I found there to be more background, historical evidence for the underlying motivations of how systematic racism started early on during the Civil Rights movement, during Martin Luther King Jr's time. The right to have fair legislation, dealing with unfair policing, and the rise of Black voters are all one of many topics that are expounded upon, in regards to connecting how the Black Lives Matter movement came to a tipping point when George Floyd was murdered on May 2020. I found there to be heavy, painful, and contextual information in regards to the BLM movement in America, which in many ways was a bit challenging to read and go through, but infinitely vital today.
For the BLM movement in America, this was published shortly after President Biden's election, which really was eye-opening concerning how fact-based the information was in its relevancy. Even COVID's impact on the BLM movement was analyzed and properly deconstructed as well. I was curious to see what solutions would be possible for the current situation of the BLM movement, but it is very difficult to single-handedly pinpoint just one cause of racism in America. I think this book did a profound job with its evidential-based research with a "call to action" towards the very end, which is just what we need in our day and time.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.
I highly recommend this book to fellow bibliophiles and readers everywhere!
Thank you to @grandcentralpub for the complimentary book.
#reading #bookstagram #books #book #booklover #bookworm #bookish #bookstagrammer #bookaddict #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #instabook #love #booksofinstagram #reader #bookaholic #nojusticenopeace #readabooktochildren #writing #booklove #literature #blacklivesmatter #booksbooksbooks #b #instabooks #author #bookblogger #blm #saytheirnames #socialjustice
November 17, 2021
Thank you Goodreads Giveaway for the copy of Say Their Names. It was a valuable read.
As a Canadian who didn’t always understand how the events of the last number of years could happen in the developed democratic country that is our southern neighbour, I looked forward to reading Say Their Names, hoping to gain a better understanding of Black Lives Matter. The authors, Curtis Bunn, Michael H. Cottman, Patrice Gaines, Nick Charles, and Keith Harriston, each tackled a different aspect of racism and its effects on the lives of Black Americans. Some of the topics included were politics, the wealth gap, church, incarceration, and health which included the effects of the covid pandemic.
The essays are presented in the light of recent events taken from the headlines and often illustrated with historical data. It should be a must read for everyone, not just Americans. Most every nation is guilty of racism.
The book was an eye-opener. I learned more about important figures such as Stacey Abrams. Of course, a book like this is a bit of a rabbit hole, and rightly so, since it jumpstarts the desire to learn more, to read the books and articles that were referred to in the various essays, and from which excerpts were taken.
The only negative I found was that I stumbled over some of the phrasing. Even after rereading the sentences a couple of times, they still seemed to make the exact opposite point of what I’m sure the author meant to make. But that may be just me.
Definitely pick up a copy of this book.
As a Canadian who didn’t always understand how the events of the last number of years could happen in the developed democratic country that is our southern neighbour, I looked forward to reading Say Their Names, hoping to gain a better understanding of Black Lives Matter. The authors, Curtis Bunn, Michael H. Cottman, Patrice Gaines, Nick Charles, and Keith Harriston, each tackled a different aspect of racism and its effects on the lives of Black Americans. Some of the topics included were politics, the wealth gap, church, incarceration, and health which included the effects of the covid pandemic.
The essays are presented in the light of recent events taken from the headlines and often illustrated with historical data. It should be a must read for everyone, not just Americans. Most every nation is guilty of racism.
The book was an eye-opener. I learned more about important figures such as Stacey Abrams. Of course, a book like this is a bit of a rabbit hole, and rightly so, since it jumpstarts the desire to learn more, to read the books and articles that were referred to in the various essays, and from which excerpts were taken.
The only negative I found was that I stumbled over some of the phrasing. Even after rereading the sentences a couple of times, they still seemed to make the exact opposite point of what I’m sure the author meant to make. But that may be just me.
Definitely pick up a copy of this book.
November 7, 2021
“We are at the tipping point. It is time to listen to the voices of advocates who speak for those Black bodies that have been silenced, locked away in cages, made invisible, rendered powerless for years.”
Thank you @grandcentralpub for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! 📚💕
Informative. Thought provoking. Critical.
This book is a collection of essays about the history, statistics, and first hand experiences of racism in the United States. There are stories about and from athletes, politicians, family members of individuals killed because the color of their skin, victims, police officers, advocates, and more.
This book is extremely relevant as it not only focuses on the history of racism, but also how racism has sparked the recent Black Lives Matter movement and how covid has disproportionately affected people of color.
This book reminded me of the importance of being an ally, checking myself and my own bias, and educating myself on the history of racism and current day instances of racism, those caught & posted on social media but also those that are not broadcasted.
I definitely recommend this educational and eye-opening read.
Thank you @grandcentralpub for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review! 📚💕
Informative. Thought provoking. Critical.
This book is a collection of essays about the history, statistics, and first hand experiences of racism in the United States. There are stories about and from athletes, politicians, family members of individuals killed because the color of their skin, victims, police officers, advocates, and more.
This book is extremely relevant as it not only focuses on the history of racism, but also how racism has sparked the recent Black Lives Matter movement and how covid has disproportionately affected people of color.
This book reminded me of the importance of being an ally, checking myself and my own bias, and educating myself on the history of racism and current day instances of racism, those caught & posted on social media but also those that are not broadcasted.
I definitely recommend this educational and eye-opening read.
January 22, 2023
This book could have easily been all fact and statistics but the authors instead weaved that information with heart wrenching or uplifting personal accounts. This served to best illustrate how these facts/stats impacted not just America or the black community, but individual lives and families. I think this approach made it easier to understand than just giving the reader facts and stats and helped to make the reader (hopefully) more empathetic to black people. This book had a lot of information that I didn’t even know happened despite having lived through it and participated in some of it. It made me realize how very sheltered I was even despite trying to learn. This book made me very reflective on what I have done personally to help and what I can do and we as a country need to do going forward. I feel like many people have become complacent since Trump lost the re-election but the fight for equality is far from over. I hope more people realize that and as a country we can take steps toward equality. I personally have been and will continue to recommend this book to people.
February 12, 2022
I so greatly appreciated this book, written by multiple journalists. It covers the protests following George Floyd's murder, policing and prisons, the wealth gap, voting and legislation, racism in the COVID-19 pandemic and health disparities, and more.
One chapter in particular, Church in the Age of the BLM Movement by Nick Charles, was entirely new information for me. But I learned something from every single chapter. It was simultaneously so current and relevant and so well grounded in history.
It is so important that these stories are being documented now, and that they are able to take a longer form than fits into newspaper articles. This is precisely the genre of nonfiction that I prefer to read, and it was particularly well done. I expect to return to this book and review it again multiple times (and even purchased the audiobook to do so).
Thank you to Grand Central for the book. These opinions are my own.
4.5 stars rounded up
One chapter in particular, Church in the Age of the BLM Movement by Nick Charles, was entirely new information for me. But I learned something from every single chapter. It was simultaneously so current and relevant and so well grounded in history.
It is so important that these stories are being documented now, and that they are able to take a longer form than fits into newspaper articles. This is precisely the genre of nonfiction that I prefer to read, and it was particularly well done. I expect to return to this book and review it again multiple times (and even purchased the audiobook to do so).
Thank you to Grand Central for the book. These opinions are my own.
4.5 stars rounded up
December 9, 2023
Excellent resource for gaining a better understanding of why the Black Lives Matter movement came to be and why its importance and relevance has grown in our day and age. Systemic racism and other issues of rampant injustice necessitate movements such as these to achieve results for the equity of all people. There is much to be done to get where we need to be, but learned insight into the struggles that Black Americans have faced (and continue to face) in this country is a foundational step in the right direction.
March 6, 2022
This book is essential reading, especially for white people, on the struggles Black Americans face with racism and white supremacy. This book not only references research, but offers anecdotes from people directly affected by racist policies and institutional racism. The journalists writing this book give a comprehensive historical perspective on how BLM was started and how recent issues have strengthened the fight for equality and equity in America. Highly recommend.
March 25, 2022
This book was amazing. I knew bits and pieces about the BLM movement, but I lacked the full story. It was inspiring to read about the prominent and lesser-known figures who have carried this movement. I also like how it explores the history of Black people in America, and how that traumatic history carries to the present. This book also presented actions that can be taken that lead to brighter future. I like that: action with optimism.
April 28, 2022
Several authors/journalists provide insights on the BLM movement in Say Their Names. Some topics that are covered deal with the current state of criminal justice system, the history of racism in America, ways minorities are held back in American society, and ways it could be improved. Well researched and insightful, Say Their Names provides a perspective on one of the biggest social issues in America not only today but through our nations history. Insightful and interesting. Three stars.
September 3, 2025
I think this should be required reading in the US - a collection of essays that explores how racism impacts Black people in a lot of different ways that led to Black Lives Matter. The whole world knows about the ongoing and grossly disproportionate police violence toward Black people by now, but these writers make the point that systemic racism is more than just physical violence and hurts people in so many other avenues of life that are not really widely reported.
December 21, 2021
Grateful to read such a fantastic over of the history of the movement and you will be too!
February 17, 2022
Very informative
February 17, 2022
I’m so glad I won’t this book from a Goodreads Giveaway! This is something all people should read and has lots of good information and learning opportunities.
August 5, 2022
Excellent essays from a variety of perspectives; I was particularly intrigued by the chapter on the Church (both Black and white).
March 16, 2025
At times a difficult read, but one that is necessary.
April 29, 2024
If Stamped from the Beginning detailed early American history of racism, this book focuses on the last 60 years up til 2021. Read both!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews