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ellemnope 's review for:
This Is My America
by Kim Johnson
"An AK-47 in a white hand has more rights than a Black kid with Skittles."
Amazing! This was one of my favorite reads of 2020 and it hit hard. Reminiscent of The Hate U Give, this read was intensely powerful and hard-hitting. I'm having a hard time gathering up all of my thoughts because this was so impactful. There is so much here to consider and unpack.
This is My America so honestly and unflinchingly delivered thoughts on and examples of systemic racism that explored areas I hadn't even considered. It is an incredibly emotional read and really lays bare all of the ways that our communities, our police systems, our educational systems are biased and unnecessarily more critical of and harsh on those of color. I was absolutely dumbfounded by this book and couldn't read it fast enough. Johnson's writing is beautiful and fully accessible, feeling both comfortable and unsettling at the same time. It made me really explore my own predispositions and recognize the bigger picture. It left me still somewhat reeling and breathless.
Tracy is a wonderful character and the choice to deliver the story from her point of view was brilliant. I love exploring this subject through the eyes of someone who is still developing, still deciding who they should be and how they should approach the world. Tracy is strong, resourceful, and determined. She definitely has things to learn and her age does add some vulnerability. These things serve only to make her a more realistic and sympathetic character. I loved that she had so much education behind her and was used to demonstrate that Black individuals are often having to learn and consider things in their daily lives that go beyond the pale. No one should have to fear for their lives just because they wear a hoodie or walk with their hands in their pockets in a neighborhood that isn't their own.
This is an incredibly important read that needs to be put in the hands of every person. My heart and gut just ached through the majority of this story. It was one of those things where you know this kind of stuff is out there, but it's just so easy to go on with your own life and forget that others have to deal with this kind of disrespect simply because of the color of their skin.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
Amazing! This was one of my favorite reads of 2020 and it hit hard. Reminiscent of The Hate U Give, this read was intensely powerful and hard-hitting. I'm having a hard time gathering up all of my thoughts because this was so impactful. There is so much here to consider and unpack.
This is My America so honestly and unflinchingly delivered thoughts on and examples of systemic racism that explored areas I hadn't even considered. It is an incredibly emotional read and really lays bare all of the ways that our communities, our police systems, our educational systems are biased and unnecessarily more critical of and harsh on those of color. I was absolutely dumbfounded by this book and couldn't read it fast enough. Johnson's writing is beautiful and fully accessible, feeling both comfortable and unsettling at the same time. It made me really explore my own predispositions and recognize the bigger picture. It left me still somewhat reeling and breathless.
Tracy is a wonderful character and the choice to deliver the story from her point of view was brilliant. I love exploring this subject through the eyes of someone who is still developing, still deciding who they should be and how they should approach the world. Tracy is strong, resourceful, and determined. She definitely has things to learn and her age does add some vulnerability. These things serve only to make her a more realistic and sympathetic character. I loved that she had so much education behind her and was used to demonstrate that Black individuals are often having to learn and consider things in their daily lives that go beyond the pale. No one should have to fear for their lives just because they wear a hoodie or walk with their hands in their pockets in a neighborhood that isn't their own.
This is an incredibly important read that needs to be put in the hands of every person. My heart and gut just ached through the majority of this story. It was one of those things where you know this kind of stuff is out there, but it's just so easy to go on with your own life and forget that others have to deal with this kind of disrespect simply because of the color of their skin.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *