I'm sorry to say that I read this after seeing the film adaptation, but it doesn't matter when you discover it. What matters is THAT you discover it! I'm sorry to say that I read this after seeing the film adaptation, but it doesn't matter when you discover it. What matters is THAT you discover it! It is hilarious, emotionally stirring, and a healthy blend of intellect and nonsense. I can't get enough Percival Everett in my life. ...more
As I was reading this it felt like, "where are you going?" Ostensibly this is a story about a serial killer. But the killer is wrapped up in the frontAs I was reading this it felt like, "where are you going?" Ostensibly this is a story about a serial killer. But the killer is wrapped up in the front half of this volume, but the case isn't! This is a really great ending and promises more from a character who I would read doing anything!...more
Beautiful and heartbreaking. Esau is thoughtful and wise. He can tell and emotionally gut-wrenching story without resorting to tropes or manipulation.Beautiful and heartbreaking. Esau is thoughtful and wise. He can tell and emotionally gut-wrenching story without resorting to tropes or manipulation. He lets his experience speak for him. A lesser writer would simply be cashing in on sympathy from such a difficult childhood and life, but Esau paints a realistic picture while ultimately offering hope. ...more
It's not very often I gasp at the end of a comic book, but they got me here. Tbe characters and story are perfect. So many themes and topics while stiIt's not very often I gasp at the end of a comic book, but they got me here. Tbe characters and story are perfect. So many themes and topics while still being drive by meaningful character stories....more
I work two jobs, one in web development, including SEO, and the other as a part-time copy editor. The web developer in me loved this book, the copy edI work two jobs, one in web development, including SEO, and the other as a part-time copy editor. The web developer in me loved this book, the copy editor portion of me died a little.
The primary achievement of this book was to demonstrate the subjectivity of Google's search algorithm. This is a HUGE claim since so many people assume it is the definition of objectivity. As she points out when scandalous fallacies have been revealed Google claims that they do not have control over the algorithm, but then they fix the issue quickly and quietly. Among other things, the lack of persons of color and women in big tech organizations allows subtle biases to continue. A subtle or even unconscious bias in an algorithm gets amplified when it hits a search engine. Big tech needs to do better, but the average user needs to exercise more scrutiny and call for more accountability.
One thing that is hinted at in this book is a call for more transparency in Google's algorithm. This would have disastrous and unintended consequences. Google conceals its algorithm to keep people from hacking it. SEO as practice ranges from healthy to sleazy. I'm uncomfortable with opaque algorithms dictating the world's search results, but I am certain that hacking and abuse would be much worse if people could deconstruct and manipulate algorithms.
My main complaint about the book is that the prose is over-written. Too many adjectives, adverbs, and convoluted sentences. It reads like it was written by a scientist without an editor. The book's articulation is bogged down by technical jargon and excessive verbiage.
In short, a scathing but warranted and necessary look at the racial bias in big tech. Good research, good argument, poorly written....more
I really loved this book! I loved the cover art as it was coming out, but didn't hear much buzz about it... All that to say I LOVED it. Really great cI really loved this book! I loved the cover art as it was coming out, but didn't hear much buzz about it... All that to say I LOVED it. Really great concept, strong pacing, great balance of telling the story from a few different points in time. This left space for a follow-up series and is definitely deserving! ...more
I loved this! It was better than the first series and has me very excited for what's next.
I'm very sensitive about stories that are too heavy-handed I loved this! It was better than the first series and has me very excited for what's next.
I'm very sensitive about stories that are too heavy-handed or on-the-nose. This was a potent political commentary with over references to contemporary figures, but always did it in a tasteful, subversive, and even playful way. I really enjoy it and I hope it keeps going!...more
Incredible work! McCaulley is a first-rate scholar who writes academically yet accessibly. He is unafraid of weaving personal experience into academicIncredible work! McCaulley is a first-rate scholar who writes academically yet accessibly. He is unafraid of weaving personal experience into academic research. He handles everything from race, ecclesiology, church history, biblical interpretation to race, policing, and the bulk of African-American theology in, "black ecclesial tradition." So many jems in this book I immediately put it on my list of things to re-read!...more
Wow! A friend of mine quoted this book in his sermon and the quote registered with me instantly. Sho displays wisdom on numerous fronts in this book. Wow! A friend of mine quoted this book in his sermon and the quote registered with me instantly. Sho displays wisdom on numerous fronts in this book. It is theologically sound while dealing with calling/vocation, race, creativity, and the power of narrative. The narratival/storytelling elements reminded me a bit of Donald Miller, although I liked this better.
The book has a gritty realism to it while still building on a foundation of underlying optimism. He attempts to paint a more beautiful picture of how the world ought to be.
I listened to the audiobook which was 10/10, but there were so many things that I wanted to underline that I bought a physical copy for a re-read....more
I decided to re-read this one, I sprinted through it when it first came out but I moved even faster this time.
Ibram X. Kendi is extremely impressive.I decided to re-read this one, I sprinted through it when it first came out but I moved even faster this time.
Ibram X. Kendi is extremely impressive. He teaches and more importantly, models how to he a humble learner. He spends so much time describing brilliant people that he's observed and interacted with throughout the years that he seemingly fails to see his own genius. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone. You will not agree with everything in this book and those are the parts where you should dig in the most. You can't read this in a thoughtless and passive way. ...more
I actually finished this book two years ago and forgot to log my update. There are four cities he uses as illustrations: Chicago, St. Louis, LouisvillI actually finished this book two years ago and forgot to log my update. There are four cities he uses as illustrations: Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville, and San Francisco. By no means an exhaustive list since every city found way to embed racism in their legal system and especially in urban planning and development. Having lived in St. Louis you can very much see the ongoing impact of mid-2oth century policies.
This book is a potent documentation and commentary on just another aspect of deeply embedded racism in American life. It isn't a "feel good" book, but it isn't meant to be. This is one I'll need to return to in the future for pulling quotes and statistics. ...more
It isn't perfect, but it gets 5 stars for impact. I have seen almost everything described in this book and most importantly, much of it has been with It isn't perfect, but it gets 5 stars for impact. I have seen almost everything described in this book and most importantly, much of it has been with me. This book attempts to shed light on white cultural conditioning in the U.S. and I think it largely succeeds. I think I was more receptive to the criticism after having read Coates, West, and others but I still think this book is necessary for understanding the white person's role in American racism....more
Simply Masterful. Beautifully written, emotionally engaging, intellectually challenging, and frequently disturbing. For the majority of this book, I wSimply Masterful. Beautifully written, emotionally engaging, intellectually challenging, and frequently disturbing. For the majority of this book, I was overwhelmed by his cynicism and hopeless demeanor. He never promises hope or inspiration, he is willing to hit you over the head with the truth until it sinks in (and then some). Each essay begins with some seemingly shocking claim that range from seeming hyperbole to outright conspiracy, but through the course of each argument he is able to demonstrate the reasonableness, if not the inevitability of each position. This is one that I'll need to return to a few times and would make for excellent high school/college assigned reading....more
I really enjoyed this! It has been on my shelf since it came out and I finally got around to reading it. I was in late middle school/early high schoolI really enjoyed this! It has been on my shelf since it came out and I finally got around to reading it. I was in late middle school/early high school when this happened and I definitely remember it but was fuzzy at best. This provided a side to the narrative that I couldn't have gotten back then even if I was paying attention. Systemic racism, negligent media, and self-interested corporations tried to sweep this under the rug. The optimistic side of me would like to think that there has been 20 years worth of progress for our city, but the country at large has proven that it isn't the case. We need more of these stories and specifically ones told in creative ways so we can cast the widest net for reaching people with these stories and reality. ...more
Very important book, accessibly written, and eye-opening on a few levels. The bits describing reformed theology can be skimmed, but the unique perspecVery important book, accessibly written, and eye-opening on a few levels. The bits describing reformed theology can be skimmed, but the unique perspective of the African-American experience with Reformed theology should be read and re-read....more
I have known for a long time that this is a must-read book and I'm glad to have finally read it. It is very well written and brutally honest. When I cI have known for a long time that this is a must-read book and I'm glad to have finally read it. It is very well written and brutally honest. When I comment on his honesty I do not just mean his views on race, politics, religion, and the world. But he is brutally honest about himself. In an age where everyone is determined to paint the best version of themselves, it was refreshing and shocking to read something from not that long ago where he casts moral judgment on himself from previous chapters.
It is apparent that Malcolm X had rounded a corner into new thought for the third or fourth time by the end of his life. He was a passionate man who dove head-first into whatever he believed. He was cleverer than he gave himself credit for. He reached such heights and yet was still so full of potential. I can't fathom the impact he would have had if he lived a full life....more
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