Book No. 10 of 2021
A very necessary read, and one I’m adding to my nascent mental category of “books where it’s a crying shame that the author had to write this because society sucks and they were kept from using their brilliance and talent to create something else and we are collectively poorer for it.” (I’ll have to think of a more concise title.) Also an addition to a second category of books called “I would like to never ever ever have to expend my mental energy debating someone on these issues again and just smack them over the head with this book until they get it.” (Also need to figure out how to make that one more concise.)
Oluo insightfully and expertly breaks down the ways in which white male supremacy shapes every aspect of American society, and how it ultimately hurts everyone—including white men. It’s a slightly painful read at times (as Not a White Man, being reminded of all the ways the world works to keep you down feels like punching an existing wound) but Oluo writes with so much strength and clarity that the book feels suffused with power—a more hopeful, inclusive kind. Also, lots of history lessons in this!
Similar Reads
Other “we are the poorer for making this person use their brilliance on this” books: Chanel Miller’s Know My Name, Susan Fowler’s Whistleblower.
Also reminded me of Cathy Park Hong’s Minor Feelings, another “please don’t ever debate me or ask me to explain my ~ethnic pain~ and just read this” kinda book.
Very similar topic and vibe as Lindy West’s The Witches Are Coming.
The chapter on the history of women in the American workforce reminded me of Rebecca Traister’s All the Single Ladies.