Between the World and Me
Ratings467
Average rating4.6
So I can't rate this like I do fiction books, but this definitely deserves to be talked about again and again and again. Especially for us "white" people, I think every person who considers themselves "white" needs to read this at least twice (I myself plan on reading it again soon, not this year but maybe next, so I can redigest everything it's saying). This, as Toni Morrison said, "is required reading." It shows just how much black people in America struggle, and all the fears and burdens they struggle with. All in all, an absolutely incredible read!!!
So I can't rate this like I do fiction books, but this definitely deserves to be talked about again and again and again. Especially for us "white" people, I think every person who considers themselves "white" needs to read this at least twice (I myself plan on reading it again soon, not this year but maybe next, so I can redigest everything it's saying). This, as Toni Morrison said, "is required reading." It shows just how much black people in America struggle, and all the fears and burdens they struggle with. All in all, an absolutely incredible read!!!
*Between the World and Me*, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, is my first book by him. It’s a letter to his son about being black in America. Coates shares his experiences and advice. The book is similar to James Baldwin’s, “The Fire Next Time”. I enjoyed it immensely. I started reading the synopsis and ended up finishing it in one sitting. Coates describes growing up in Baltimore and realizing his powerlessness within a caste system. He learned to protect himself. This resonated with me. Growing up in Chicago, I felt like prey. My primary goal was survival. To protect my body from police, gangs, drugs, and the government. This brilliant book offers valuable insights. I plan to reread it. While I wish it weren’t necessary, I’m glad it exists. It’s beautifully written.
*Between the World and Me*, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, is my first book by him. It’s a letter to his son about being black in America. Coates shares his experiences and advice. The book is similar to James Baldwin’s, “The Fire Next Time”. I enjoyed it immensely. I started reading the synopsis and ended up finishing it in one sitting. Coates describes growing up in Baltimore and realizing his powerlessness within a caste system. He learned to protect himself. This resonated with me. Growing up in Chicago, I felt like prey. My primary goal was survival. To protect my body from police, gangs, drugs, and the government. This brilliant book offers valuable insights. I plan to reread it. While I wish it weren’t necessary, I’m glad it exists. It’s beautifully written.
As a white man that grew up in a safe middle class family, this is a very hard book to read. And of course this is exactly the type of book that I need to read more often, to become a more aware and grounded person. There is an immense sadness in me because of a terrible past that cannot be changed and because in my lifetime I will not see a world without racism and we true equality. Also, while in the past I could convince myself that the world was going in the right direction, I feel that we are moving two step forwards and one step back, and part of it is due to short memory and a revisionism that teaches only a mild version of world history, celebrating the great achievements without emphasizing the human capital violently spent.
Stepping down from a soap box I don't deserve and focusing just on the quality of the book, I found this book to be very sophisticated, the language is clean and flows without any bumps and the style and rhythm are exquisite. It is not a hero's journey but a cohesive picture of how the author saw the world during his life and a clear explanation of why his world view has been like that since he was a kid. Overall this book is very strong and the author is a master story-teller that marries strong content with perfect aesthetics and style.
As a white man that grew up in a safe middle class family, this is a very hard book to read. And of course this is exactly the type of book that I need to read more often, to become a more aware and grounded person. There is an immense sadness in me because of a terrible past that cannot be changed and because in my lifetime I will not see a world without racism and we true equality. Also, while in the past I could convince myself that the world was going in the right direction, I feel that we are moving two step forwards and one step back, and part of it is due to short memory and a revisionism that teaches only a mild version of world history, celebrating the great achievements without emphasizing the human capital violently spent.
Stepping down from a soap box I don't deserve and focusing just on the quality of the book, I found this book to be very sophisticated, the language is clean and flows without any bumps and the style and rhythm are exquisite. It is not a hero's journey but a cohesive picture of how the author saw the world during his life and a clear explanation of why his world view has been like that since he was a kid. Overall this book is very strong and the author is a master story-teller that marries strong content with perfect aesthetics and style.
As a white man that grew up in a safe middle class family, this is a very hard book to read. And of course this is exactly the type of book that I need to read more often, to become a more aware and grounded person. There is an immense sadness in me because of a terrible past that cannot be changed and because in my lifetime I will not see a world without racism and we true equality. Also, while in the past I could convince myself that the world was going in the right direction, I feel that we are moving two step forwards and one step back, and part of it is due to short memory and a revisionism that teaches only a mild version of world history, celebrating the great achievements without emphasizing the human capital violently spent.
Stepping down from a soap box I don't deserve and focusing just on the quality of the book, I found this book to be very sophisticated, the language is clean and flows without any bumps and the style and rhythm are exquisite. It is not a hero's journey but a cohesive picture of how the author saw the world during his life and a clear explanation of why his world view has been like that since he was a kid. Overall this book is very strong and the author is a master story-teller that marries strong content with perfect aesthetics and style.
As a white man that grew up in a safe middle class family, this is a very hard book to read. And of course this is exactly the type of book that I need to read more often, to become a more aware and grounded person. There is an immense sadness in me because of a terrible past that cannot be changed and because in my lifetime I will not see a world without racism and we true equality. Also, while in the past I could convince myself that the world was going in the right direction, I feel that we are moving two step forwards and one step back, and part of it is due to short memory and a revisionism that teaches only a mild version of world history, celebrating the great achievements without emphasizing the human capital violently spent.
Stepping down from a soap box I don't deserve and focusing just on the quality of the book, I found this book to be very sophisticated, the language is clean and flows without any bumps and the style and rhythm are exquisite. It is not a hero's journey but a cohesive picture of how the author saw the world during his life and a clear explanation of why his world view has been like that since he was a kid. Overall this book is very strong and the author is a master story-teller that marries strong content with perfect aesthetics and style.