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Nov 17, 2017SPL_Liz rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Smith deconstructs his experience becoming a Black man in America, something he didn't expect to happen. He invites the reader to see the world through his eyes, to watch his perspective change as he is influenced by teachers, parents, the media, and public figures. His analysis of the role of Black figures in public life is insightful, his chapter on mental health was discomforting, but what really makes this book stand out to me is his ability to speak through a lens of intersectionality. He emphasizes the need to recognize the role women have played (and continue to play) in the struggle for Black liberation. He recognizes the importance of honouring the lives of gay Black men who were taken by violence. It's an insightful piece and an integral read for those wishing to understand what it means to be Black in America.