Alex Plesnar’s Reviews > The Best American Essays 2025 > Status Update
Alex Plesnar
is on page 106 of 352
Reading “Love and Murder in South Africa” by Eula Biss reminds me of the power inherent in African American Literature. While Apartheid and Jim Crowe America have similarities, it has a some differences too. To my understanding, Apartheid was a lot more overt while America remained more covert. I am conflicted by the observation though because racism in America is overt. It is not done in the shadows.
— May 12, 2026 12:03PM
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Alex Plesnar
is on page 112 of 352
Just finished “Love and Murder in South Africa,” and it had me thinking about Topeka and James Baldwin. Brown v. Board of Education helped desegregate schools, but led the way to subtle forms of segregation that exist today. Baldwin mentioned that to be a true ally for any oppressed person, one must recognize that they too are oppressed by the same systems that gives them advantages over others.
— May 19, 2026 05:42AM