Through this collection of eight essays, Tressie McMillan Cottom carefully discusses her observations and experiences as a black woman in today’s America. The author’s essays break down how the American society interacts with people of African descent and what the effects are. She provides a wealth of knowledge for the reader to learn about how history still shapes today’s America.
As a professor of sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University, McMillan Cottom feels that writing and publishing personal essays (which is what her book could be categorized as) were how black female writers were able to gain recognition many years ago as legitimate writers and thinkers. This was because those in power, white men, would not validify their writings on politics or academia due to generations of racial prejudice. Instead, black women used their personal stories for publication simply because no one could argue with them on their own experiences. Throughout the book, McMillan Cottom uses her essays to honour those female writers before her so that she can now be a recognized academic writer and thinker.
Throughout each essay the author connects the dots between various parts of society, backing it up with significant research. She comments on how America’s beauty standard is based on white beauty, therefore people of colour can’t even compete. She dives into the question of how can the same country who elected a black president elect Donald Trump right after? She also discusses the lack of care and attention black girls get throughout their education compared to white girls’ nurturing.
While reading through each essay, various light bulbs went off in my mind. McMillan Cottom has a way of helping her readers learn about our society in ways that have rarely been addressed. As readers, we are able to begin the process of understanding the horrific ways the slave trade in old America has and continues to affect the country.
Even though the author is primarily speaking about America, I feel that as a Canadian I was still able to learn an incredible amount about my country and the effects my actions and thoughts have on others. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in becoming a more compassionate and understanding person in our Trump-saturated world.
