A Renaissance of Our Own: A Memoir & Manifesto on Reimagining

by Rachel E. Cargle

"A deeply personal and illuminating approach to antiracism and allyship, revealing the power of imagination and action to dismantle oppressive systems and build liberating ones, from a highly lauded lecturer, public academic, writer, and activist. In A Renaissance of Our Own, Rachel Cargle details the seminal event that put her on the map-her viral 2017 Women's March appearance that thrust her into the national conversation on feminism and allyship-and how she soon woke up to the fallacies of a movement she had believed in. Discovering and unpacking the white-washed lies she'd been fed about intersectional "solidarity," Cargle's awakening, although painful and seismic, gifted her the opportunity to see the world through a new lens. Now, Cargle shares her journey, depicting a framework for allyship, and beyond, that she developed along the way. In creating KEA (Knowledge, Empathy, Action), or as she calls them "from the head to the heart to the feet," Cargle learned to craft a world independent of oppressive constructs that allowed her to critically examine her surroundings. Alongside KEA, she established a set of intentional values based on an individual sense of purpose, known as higher values, and through the combination of these tools, reimagined her approach to the personal, societal, and structural components of life that are often stifled. She provides the same tools and prompts that she used to unearth and align her own values so anyone can wield them, and ultimately, identify the structures and mindsets that hold them back and learn to move forward. A Renaissance of Our Own serves as a reminder of the power of reimagining as an engine for critical learning, radical empathizing, and intentional action"--

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Feminism, Queer, LGBT, Social Justice

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 16, 2023

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, inspiring, educational. I'd like to know this woman and her work more. Definitely someone who qualifies as "having pulled herself up by her bootstraps." Hate that retort from racists who insist their privilege had nothing to do with their success, even fail to acknowledge any privilege they have, point out where they don't have it (e.g., I'm a woman, I have a disability, I am poor, etc.), and believe fully that it was all due to their own hard work, and why can't the Black, Brown, Indigenous, and otherwise not-white people do the same.

For additional reading regarding what it is to be a Black feminist, I also recommend reading Brittney Cooper's Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower.

Great advice, good historical contexts, and an ecosystem built by the author in pursuit of a better, more just future. Loved this book.

[BookOfCinz · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone whose done a lot of re-imaging in the past, this book felt great to read.

[Jalisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This memoir takes you on a journey through Rachel Cargle's upbringing, early marriage, and political and personal awakening through chapters focused on reimagining different facets of her life. I most enjoyed the last part of this book about entrepreneurship and shaping a business that aligns with your highest values. There were some nuggets I'm taking away about an umbrella company that can hold my many interests and skills. The book was easy to read and I finished within a day.

Overall though this book didn't quite hit the mark for me. Particularly the parts around white feminism. It just may be where I am in my life. But what was shared about reimagining relationships, work, education, and rest didn't feel really new or illuminating. I wish there was more actionable detail in each chapter. There were some gems and useful exercises though that would be helpful in reimagining and designing your life in accordance with your highest values. As she states in the early parts of the book - keep the meat and discard the bones.

[Míchelle Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have admired and respected Rachel’s bold and easeful living for years. This book is like being inside of her diary while writing in my own. Her bold vulnerability is activism in and of itself. Read this book only if you are ready to dream and reimagine the life you choose.

[Rachel Nagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how she has continued to “learn outloud” and create her own path of education and success. I learned/unlearned most from her chapter on feminism, and appreciated her words on rest.

[Shawntel (read_with_shawntel) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a follower of Rachel’s for many years. She has always been unfailing kind to allow the public to have access to her life and experiences. Not just for consumption but so that we may learn, grow, and do better. This memoir is no different. Rachel gives deep insight into her own journey but pushes you do the work. She leaves templates for you sit with what she has said and make it personal. I recommend everyone to grab a copy of this book- order it from Rachel’s bookstore if you are able to.

Special thanks to Net Galley and Random House for sharing this advanced digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part memoir, part self-help book, "A Renaissance of Our Own" asks readers to "decid[e] who we want to be and liv[e] that truth". The best parts of this book were Cargle's coming of age and coming into her own as a young woman. There were parts of this story that resonated so deeply with me, and had me wishing I could have read this book a decade ago as I was going through some of these same transformations in my own life. I appreciated the interwoven historical and social topics, and I appreciated that she provided the reader with ways to apply what she's learned to their own lives. I, however, would have enjoyed this more if it was just a memoir.

[April (whataprilreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5✨

I love Black women. I love being a Black woman. I am in awe of the intersection of Blackness and womanhood and how truly beautiful it can be. So much of this memoir spoke to parts of my own life and my own journey to creating a life of intention, holding myself accountable, getting to know my heart and head better. There were so many reminders and lessons to pull away from the text, and so much inspiration to show up for myself in a way that aligns with my highest values and ensures my health and well-being flourishes. My copy is annotated like crazy and I have notes to refer back to, other readings I want to check out. It was a 5✨ experience, even if it took me over two months to finish it (a prime example of letting myself fall into a trap of working too hard and needing to feel as productive as possible).

—

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[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is less rigorous than I expected, since Rachel Cargle is so well-read and thoughtful/thought-provoking, but that isn't a bad thing. I merely had different expectations of the book. Rather, this is a short, personal memoir with a little bit of self-help mixed in, in which Rachel Cargle tells her own origin and transformation story. Her story gave me some much-needed hope about the ways in which it's possible to live according to our values and build community and a better world despite living within capitalism and systems of oppression.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A Renaissance of Our Own Rachel Cargle shows her readers how she paved her own path as an entrepreneur, teacher, and leader and how we can go about cultivating a meaningful life that aligns with our deepest values as well. The narrative is compromised of stories from Rachel's own childhood journey growing up with a single mother who had a physical disability and stories centering her own awakening as she learned more about the ways Black women were excluded from the feminist movement she deeply championed as a young person. I love how she lays out the historical facts for those who want to dig deeper into the many ways racism showed up in the movement- this book holds all the receipts! I'm so glad girls and young woman will have this book as a reference point to look to to learn more.

I've been a long time supporter of Rachel and her work and have always felt deeply appreciative of the ways she has been generous and transparent with her process as a student of life and a Black woman on a path towards reimagining greater possibilities for herself. Studying the life and business of moguls like Beyonce and Oprah allowed Rachel to clarify her own vision for what love and career could look like for herself. By actively reshaping the frameworks she was handed she was able to embrace her truest self, divorce her ex-husband, decide to leave Columbia University and reject any notion that a conventional life is the only way to live. She also speaks to her decision not to become a mother and the shadow side of the work this clarity required. I know this aspect of the text will help many women considering this question from a more nuanced, honest point of view.

A Renaissance of Our Own includes writing prompts, reflections, and templates at the end of each chapter to help readers write down our own personal manifestos and apply what we've taken away from the text. Rachel's memoir is showing readers, Black women in particular, that it is possible to build the life you want and to create it on a foundation of your deepest values. It will take shadow work, healing, and community but it's possible if you're willing to put in the work and believe in yourself above all else.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title says it all. Reimagining... belief systems, values, relationships, feminism, education, work, rest. I love the idea of giving yourself permission to have a renaissance and start new chapters.

[Natalie Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Part memoir, part guide. Wonderful information from a voice of healing, recognition, outreach and making the world a better place bit by bit.

[Rebecca McPhedran · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing reflection on anti racism, allyship and what it means to manifest a life you deserve. This is a beautiful book written with such a beautiful voice. Rachel Cargle is forging her own path in accordance with her highest values; and she’s showing you how to do it too. I really enjoyed this book.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this but it was much more fluffy and poorly done self help than memoir. There were definitely some good takeaways but overall kind of disappointing.

[daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to review. Cargle shares in detail her personal testimony of how she went from living a life she began to question to one full of vibrancy and abundance. Laying out how she personally made decisions to create this life, she encourages the reader to do the same-not by following what she did but instead finding what's most important and living from that. I found this book easy to read, moving from one part of her life to the next, relating in some ways and not so much in others. This story of vulnerability, humility, and courage to choose your own path and then to share that with the world will stick with me for years to come.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this memoir, it definitely fed the fire in my belly.

The only different thing I would have liked to see was Rachel referring to “women and people on their period” rather than just women.

[Margarida RM Pita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to come back to. Over and over again. Half memoir, half guide. Simply written but equipped with powerful content if one dares to leave their comfort zone.

Each chapter offered so many insights. Reimagining Rest, Work, Belief systems, Education… The one on Feminism truly educated me on how the movement has been whitewashed. And how the call for intersectional unity remains unanswered for.

I have a thousand notes and reflections to sit with. Digest. Integrate. The whole book is just bold.

Recommend it a 100% if you’re someone who likes to think beyond the status quo, who wants to do better, who isn’t afraid to sit with discomfort.

“ I hold tight to my belief in revolution. Justice is not a passive pursuit but one braided into every way I show up in the world”.

[Avery Hatfield-Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped me realize that this is definitely a period of renaissance for me. But the quote that stuck out to me the most was this:

“But I’ve decided that I must use my platform to acknowledge the ways that something as meaningful as education is quite often harming the very people that pursue it.
I can no longer stomach to hand over thousands of dollars to an institution that continues to brush aside the blatant discrimination happening on its campus…..(each discriminatory act) has not been met with responsibility and action, but with vague action and minimal accountability.”

-Rachel E Cargle “A renaissance of our own”

I left my college for a multitude of reasons. But I could not have described my reason better than she.

[Mieke René · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommended this book to my daughter and my mom. Definitely a book to own, refer to over and over, and write in as your own guide to reimagining. Breaking down the walls of domestication and conditioning are vital imo-and this book definitely challenges societal “norms”, encouraging that process/progress. For that, I am grateful for this woman. There is so much to learn when I unlearn.

[Zuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was a delicious read that I loved taking my time with, slowly devouring every one of Cargle's intentionally-placed words. I love when a book mirrors my own life in so many ways, yet still provides a solid dose of inspiration. The chapter titled, "Reimagining Feminism," had me particularly hooked. Thank you, Rachel for continuing to share your growth and knowledge with the world.

[Leia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. As the author notes, this book is primarily for Black women, and I am grateful I get to listen in on this conversation. She is unflinching and unapologetic in the most empathetic way.

[Danee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very empowering and good

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“But as my mother always reminds me, ‘You can’t build your truth on what other people think.’”

[Bria G · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I especially enjoyed the final chapter.

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A passionate and vulnerable memoir that was well written. I will think of this book often especially when reflecting on my privilege and whiteness.

[Tess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love memoirs. I love reading about people's lives and all the minutiae. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't my jam. A lot of what was shared felt like regurgitation of other feminists and Black scholars but at a very shallow level.
Partially, it's that my feminisms are different. Cargle wants more Black entrepreneurs, and I think capitalism needs to be dismantled to bring equity.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who recently reimagined her own life, I was drawn to this memoir written by someone who had done the same. While I found some parallels in our experiences, Rachel Cargle focuses more on her career and professional path, which was an aspect of life that I didn't resonate with quite as much as her reimagining of her relationships. I know the format of this memoir was supposed to be a mix of personal stories and advice, but I felt I wanted more of her own stories and less of the advice.

[Liz T · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess if I would have read this book when I was in my FAFO 20s, it would have hit the mark for me. But seeing as how I’m now in my FdAFdO 50s, I found myself reading this book like I was this child’s momma and wanting to just shake her sometimes and say, “girl get it together!” That’s not to say that it wasn’t well-written, and the affirmations and exercises to create your own manifesto were not valuable, but at this stage of my life it didn’t resonate with me too much. The major takeaway I did get though was to call my 31-yr-old daughter and check in on her to make sure that her mental health is on point. We as women, and especially Black women, spend so much time taking care of everyone else and trying to have it all together that we often sacrifice our mental health; and our millennial and Gen Z daughters and little sisters are going through it right now. Embracing self-care and therapy is not a bad thing. Another thing that I admired about the author was that while her journey may not have been what one considers traditional, she still made choices for herself unapologetically and has found her joy.

[Tess Malone · Rating 2 out of 5]

This memoir starts off really strong. Cargle has a compelling story of leaving the church and finding her purpose as an activist. But toward the end it starts to read more like a business plan for Loveland and less like a memoir or even self-help. I wished Cargle was more vulnerable with her stories instead of sharing surface-level revelations. Overall this book left me wanting more and was such a struggle to finish that j skimmed the last few chapters.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I did feel like the first half was stronger, I really enjoyed hearing about Cargle’s growing up years, but there was definitely good stuff in the second half as well, I especially enjoyed the chapter about reimagining rest. It did occasionally slip into a bit more self-help language than I usually prefer, but that’s a small thing. I would recommend this one, especially to anyone wanting to explore activism or just do a reset on your own thinking.