Book Review #9 "Democracy in Black"

Hey Everyone,

     I am reviewing the book "Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul," by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.  Overall I would rate this book 4.5 stars out of 5. This book I would put in the category of highly recommended books, and is a must read. It was eye-opening and quite inspirational. This book is one that everyone should read regardless of who they are. It is not even a matter of 'should read' it is one that everybody 'needs to read'. This review for me is going to be very difficult to write, because of the vast information, the content, and matter that is in this book. Basically, I want my review to do this book the justice that it deserves. So, where do I begin? Starting with the title, it is brilliant, it powerfully describes what this book is about.  It is about the history of the struggle for equality among the black people and other minorities. It tells of the events that lead up to where we are right now in the issues that we are facing today. It discusses the every day life of how black people live. The unseen, ignored, hidden racism that this race of people live with. It gives a full definition of white supremacy, the value gap, and of what it means to be black. This book talks and discusses the changes that have been made, but as well as the changes that still need to occur. These changes have to come from every human being, and they are vital in becoming the true democracy that America stands for. You must go into reading this, in knowing that this book does not segregate race, it is a fair well balanced discussion of every race. You need to know that you may be uncomfortable while reading this book, you may even want to deny things that don't meet up to your beliefs or expectations of yourself or the community around you. All this book is asking for is a receptive, understanding, and compassionate mind. I chose this book to read mainly because I wanted to learn more and to come to an understanding of why things are the way they are. I chose this book partly due to the increase of police brutality. Mainly I chose it because I wanted answers to my questions. Why are the victims of police brutality always black? Why are the poorest neighborhoods usually compromise of black people? Why are so many unemployed? Why was I taught as a child to be afraid of black people because a lot of them were murderers? Why are they always being arrested? Why don't I see the same things in white people? This book will answer all these questions and present solutions on how to change.

     This book brought forward the uncomfortable feelings, it brought forward issues of which many people don't like to talk about. It brought them forward in such a way that you couldn't ignore it, like many of us have before. It brought forward a self awareness that allowed me to refocus on being aware of my racial habits, how I too, keep the value gap from shrinking. This book is not about blame or fault. It is about change, about facing and addressing issues that need to be addressed before this change can be made. There will always be some who are going to be skeptical, reluctant and unwilling to change. We need to address the core, the blood and guts. We need to stand up, too see it at its face to address it with intent. Not until we face it and stand up to it will we be able to change.

     This book brings up issues of white supremacy, racial habits, and white fear and this is the blood and guts that I am referring to. What this is referring to is first we need to open our eyes, and see, we can't be ignorant anymore. Ignorance is what creates and builds fear, fear of the unknown. Once you fought this ignorance can you challenge and not be blinded by white supremacy the belief that white people are valued more. Once your vision comes back then we can address and change our racial habits such as clutching your purse as you pass a black man/woman, or labeling unemployed black people as being lazy, and takers. 

     This book is a call to action. What are you going to do?  Will the fear consume you or will it liberate you? It's your choice. We need to take the same risks that the author took in writing this book in order to be able to change. We need to be brave like him. We need to answer this call. 

     For those of you, who want to read an excerpt from this book CLICK HERE or to purchase a copy of this book CLICK HERE.
     This book was published on January 12, 2016 by Crown Publishing Group.
     I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. I would like to thank Blogging for Books, Eddie S. Glaude Jr, and Crown publishing group for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

     Until the next page,
Jill

Book Review #8: "Nobody's Girl."

Hey Everyone,
     Today I am going to be reviewing the book "Nobody's Girl," by Barbara Amaya. This is a true story of a young girl who was forced into prostitution and her journey of escaping it. Overall I would give this book 4 stars out of 5. Barbara Amaya's story started out like any other typical American child. However, her world started to fall apart as she was sexually abused by her father and had an alcoholic mother. To escape the abuse she endured she often ran away. During one of her attempts she met some strangers, who preyed upon her weakness, vulnerability, age, sex, and innocence. From there she was sold and trafficked into the world of sex slaves. It is her story of survival, how she escaped from the world she was trapped in. Her journey to freedom. This book is about Barbara's coming to age, in finding her true self, and the courage, bravery, and tenacity that it took to be herself, and survive. This book delves deep into Barbara's inner thoughts and emotions. This book was very difficult to read, as I have a hard time discussing and reading about this topic.
     This book points out the stereotypes and judgements we make as a whole. And how they can disrupt and destroy a person's life. Things don't always appear or look as they seem. Safety is not guaranteed in appearances. We can't assume things from a persons character or the way they appear to be living their lives. The judgements and assumptions that people made on Barbara Amaya's life caused her abuse to continue, as well as lots of emotional suffering.
     There were a lot of time gaps in this book, that I felt didn't flow seamlessly. It made the story to have a sort of choppy, disconnected tone to it. I respected and understood the gaps in time but felt that it wasn't presented smoothly. Overall, this was a very powerful book of human survival. I have the utmost respect for Barbara Amaya with the strength it took to overcome and survive the horrible events that she endured. And as well as the strength it took to write and tell her story. Not only does Barbara Amaya continue to tell her story, but she is an advocate against sex trafficking. She has fought the prevalence of trafficking by helping to change the laws and educating people.
     Lastly I would like to thank Netgalley, Animal Media Group (the publisher), and Barbara Amaya for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. For those of you who are interested in purchasing a copy CLICK HERE.
   
Stay tuned, for the next page.

Jill

Book Review #7: "El Narco: Inside Mexico's Criminal Insurgency"

Hey Everyone,
     In light of the recent capture of El Chapo Guzman, I will be reviewing the book "El Narco: Inside Mexico's Criminal Insurgency"  by Ioan Grillo. Funny, I must have some kind of six sense because I finished reading this book like a week before the capture of El Chapo Guzman. So the timing of this review is impeccable. This is a great book for anyone who wants to learn more about the Mexican drug war, it's development, growth, and the consequences of it. If you are interested in purchasing a copy CLICK HERE.
     Overall I would rate this book 3.5 stars out of 5. This book was very well organized and very thorough. It tells you everything you would want to know about Mexico's drug war. And let me make this clear it is not just Mexico's drug war. It is the United States, Columbia plus quite a few other countries' drug war. The war may be in Mexico's territory but it is not just them alone in it. This book is an eye-opener what you think you know about this topic, there is so much more to know. This is not a simple operation, it is like a very complex spider's web. This book brings forth all the influential factors that fostered the development of the drug trade, and the factors that helped it grow to what it is today. This book delves deep in the roots of the drug trade and war itself. It will definitely provide answers to your questions of why? and how? This book will shock you, surprise you, it will make you angry, frustrated and sad.
     This book is about people, how innocent people's lives are affected by the drug war. It will tell you who the victims are, and who is to blame. It goes on to show that your actions are not your own, how what you do affects the community around you. It shows how society is an interconnected web. One of the things I most liked about this book, was that I was able to understand some of the "bad guys" why they did what they did. I am not in anyway condoning, or approving of their actions. I like it when I am able to see both sides of the coin.
     Some things that could have been changed in this book, is that I felt it needed to be more personal, to have more human interest stories backing up the information presented. The tone in which this book was told was more in a "matter of fact" kind of way. It just felt that something was missing, like it needed more gut to the story. The tone of the story needed more emotion. Don't get me wrong this book was emotional it just needed more.
     All said and done I did like this book, it was an excellent well-done book, and the perfect book to read to learn more about the Mexican drug war. Go give it a try I dare you.

Until the next page,
     Jill