I think it's pretty dumb that the book is penned by the subject's mother. Ellen Hopkins is a mother of an addict. I think this cheapens the whole franchise.

Beautifully written, clear, and sonorous. Timeless (unfortunately). Distinguishes between black and white, as well as men and women for a Punnett square of privilege and experience through the lenses of racism and class. There are strengths to presenting a unified force for peace and unity as one (all women, all men, all blacks, all humans) but there is a breakdown when 1. too few voices speak for the entire group (how can they voice my experience or my needs?) 2. those exponents strive to gain power, rather than demolish, within the restrictive and outcasting patriarchy. What's the point of fighting to be the leader of a broken, corrupt system?

He had a great idea and congratulated himself for the rest of the book.

Okay I love how the writer(s) continually make it ***not about you***. You don't need to defend or explain your actions, just listen and be open to feedback. I felt the first half was kind of redundant and that it was speaking to my experience of being sensitive as a gender studies major. But there was a lot of information to take in about just listening and being an ally, not refuting things people of color already know are true. Be open to feedback, be open to conversation, be open to being a better advocate, and make no assumptions about someone's experience. I ended up liking this quite a bit.

I don't want to say much about the plot but the characters were great, fully faceted and rich in history.

I'm going to read everything she ever writes. Blown away.

Tapped out at 44%