I feel very mixed about this book, so I have sat with it for a bit before writing a review.
I found it a really interesting read and the perspective Ta-Nahesi brought to the three places he wrote about was challenging and brought up a few insights and perspectives I hadn't heard or considered before. However I have been keeping in perspective this is one person's take on the scenarios and I would love to have a series of books like this with different people sharing their honest experiences.
The section on Dakar I found interesting to hear the tales that the stories of slavery and colourism are influencing culture as negatively there as he'd seen in the US. Making it feel more urgent to bring in critical race theory universally to challenge some of the deeply ingrained beliefs that we all need to question more. However, this was only a small insight, and I would love to hear of experiences of others.
The section on South Carolina actually made me more hopeful than I thought it would, the fact the community came out in support for the school meeting made me think we can overturn the seemingly endlessly depressing backwards direction the world seems to want us all to think is what the majority want. My favourite bit here was how the author talked about his books being like his children he has released into the world - I really like that, and I think more authors could do with not trying to police how their work is revived or interpreted once it's published.
The section on Palestine was a hard read, which I was expecting, hearing of just how much history has been erased by the Israeli regime made me cry and the treatment of people generally was expectedly depressing. I did makee reflect more on just how much has gone on over the last 80 years and how many missed opportunities the world has had to stop us getting to this point of blatant horrific genocide.
I came into the book unaware of the previously problematic comments the author has made, comparing the need for reparation on slavery to how Germany made reparations to Israel. A part of me questioned his early comments about separating himself from his books, is that actually a way to divorce himself from criticism. That said, he clearly was challenging himself to learn and keeping his understanding, which I appreciated.
My only other comment, I found the little reminders that the book was a letter to his students a little jarring - having the preface apology and mention of the build up behind this book was good, but the occasional "as you are so young" type comments within the sections, entirely unnecessary and took me out of the moment to question why that line was there and remember the preface.
Overall, I'm glad I read it and I will be seeking recommendations for similarly accessible work to expand and deepen my own knowledge and understanding of the many complex issues engaged with by this author.
I found it a really interesting read and the perspective Ta-Nahesi brought to the three places he wrote about was challenging and brought up a few insights and perspectives I hadn't heard or considered before. However I have been keeping in perspective this is one person's take on the scenarios and I would love to have a series of books like this with different people sharing their honest experiences.
The section on Dakar I found interesting to hear the tales that the stories of slavery and colourism are influencing culture as negatively there as he'd seen in the US. Making it feel more urgent to bring in critical race theory universally to challenge some of the deeply ingrained beliefs that we all need to question more. However, this was only a small insight, and I would love to hear of experiences of others.
The section on South Carolina actually made me more hopeful than I thought it would, the fact the community came out in support for the school meeting made me think we can overturn the seemingly endlessly depressing backwards direction the world seems to want us all to think is what the majority want. My favourite bit here was how the author talked about his books being like his children he has released into the world - I really like that, and I think more authors could do with not trying to police how their work is revived or interpreted once it's published.
The section on Palestine was a hard read, which I was expecting, hearing of just how much history has been erased by the Israeli regime made me cry and the treatment of people generally was expectedly depressing. I did makee reflect more on just how much has gone on over the last 80 years and how many missed opportunities the world has had to stop us getting to this point of blatant horrific genocide.
I came into the book unaware of the previously problematic comments the author has made, comparing the need for reparation on slavery to how Germany made reparations to Israel. A part of me questioned his early comments about separating himself from his books, is that actually a way to divorce himself from criticism. That said, he clearly was challenging himself to learn and keeping his understanding, which I appreciated.
My only other comment, I found the little reminders that the book was a letter to his students a little jarring - having the preface apology and mention of the build up behind this book was good, but the occasional "as you are so young" type comments within the sections, entirely unnecessary and took me out of the moment to question why that line was there and remember the preface.
Overall, I'm glad I read it and I will be seeking recommendations for similarly accessible work to expand and deepen my own knowledge and understanding of the many complex issues engaged with by this author.