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When They Call You a Terrorist
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir | Asha Bandele, Patrisse Khan-Cullors
The emotional and powerful story of one of the co-founders of Black Lives Matter and how the movement was born. From one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement comes a poetic memoir and reflection on humanity. Necessary and timely, Patrisse Cullors story asks us to remember that protest in the interest of the most vulnerable comes from love. Leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement have been called terrorists, a threat to America. But in truth, they are loving women whose life experiences have led them to seek justice for those victimized by the powerful. In this meaningful, empowering account of survival, strength, and resilience, Patrisse Cullors and asha bandele seek to change the culture that declares innocent black life expendable.
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TheBookDream
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Reading for school before a test. #nook

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kera_11
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“They say Black Lives Matter is alienating, even as we continually stand the streets in the blood of Black children and people.”
this book breaks down so many important topics that need to be talked about, the criminalization of mental illness, police brutality, the school-to-prison pipeline, the War on Drugs, etc.
I would recommend everyone read this.

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MatchlessMarie
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38 likes3 stack adds
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JenniferEgnor
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Pickpick

This book was phenomenal. It was painful, it was written beautifully; told in a way that only a Black Womxn can tell it. When I first picked it up, I was unaware it was the story of BLM. As a white cis womxn, I‘ll never know what it‘s like to experience the things she and so many others have lived. But I can imagine, I can listen, I can love; can help dismantle these harmful institutions and work for a more just, loving world for all peoplx.

Chrissyreadit 🙌♥️🙌 2y
15 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Amiable
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Pickpick

“What is the impact of not being valued? How do you measure the loss of what a human being does not receive?”

This book made my heart hurt.

Thank you for sharing with me for #NYWD22 #NewYearWhoDis, @Singout

#Nonfiction2022
Prompt: I‘m a Survivor

Singout It really rips you open. She does a great job of integrating her story with an analysis of systemic racism. 2y
Amiable @Singout She‘s a wonderful writer—powerful and also poetic. 2y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Yes, this is a great one. We are set to read one of the other founders of BLM later this winter with #SheSaid 2y
monalyisha Oof. 2y
57 likes1 stack add4 comments
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DieAReader
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EadieB Thanks for participating in the readathon! 3y
CoverToCoverGirl 👏👏✅😘 3y
DieAReader @EadieB It‘s always a pleasure🤓💜 Thanks for stepping up for Andrew👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
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EadieB @DieAReader You‘re welcome! 3y
GHABI4ROSES I actually met my goals for #SuperSeptember #ReadAThon! Finished my 3 open books and started another. Thank you @EadieB and this is a #dailycheckin @DieAReader @Andrew65 @Lesanne @SusanOrnelas 3y
Lesanne @GHABI4ROSES Yay!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 3y
DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES 🥳💜📚 3y
EadieB @GHABI4ROSES Congrats 🎉 on finishing your goals and thanks for participating! 3y
37 likes8 comments
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jenniferw88
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Day 6 #tbrpile

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magyklyXdelish
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Pickpick

Patrice gives us an unflinching look into her life and the struggle for survival that her, her family and millions like her face every day. She goes deep into the long term effects the criminal justice/prison systems have on those it victimizes and their families that are often left to pick up the pieces. This should be recommended reading for anyone who thinks the term Black Lives Matter is offensive or that they are terrorists.

BarbaraTheBibliophage Great choice! 3y
Cinfhen Wonderful review ♥️ 3y
alisiakae Great review! 3y
24 likes4 comments
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magyklyXdelish
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Taking a break from my obligated reading to stay educated.

I‘ll be using this for the anti racist choice for #Booked2021

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Prairiegirl_reading
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1. When they call you a terrorist just really stuck with me. Also I have to add that Mariah Carey‘s bio was so fun on audio.
2. I haven‘t read enough of James Baldwin but I think I would call him a master.
3. I don‘t think I have one. I‘m not sure I‘ve read more than one book by a non-fiction author. 🤷🏻‍♀️It‘s more about the topic for me when I read nonfiction.
Thanks for the tag @mandarchy

Eggs #3 - excellent point. Topic is important. Thanks for joining in 📚👏🏻🌺 3y
21 likes1 comment
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Eggbeater
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This was a very moving book. Patrice Kahn-Cullors is an amazing person.

When I feel good, I like to recline outside with the dog in the backyard on a nice day and read while she runs around chasing wildlife.

I always participate in the #AnyWayYouReadathon and #20in4 readathons each month. It's a good way to make sure I meet my reading goal.

#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94 @kimmypete1

@Susanita @Gissy

MoonWitch94 Thanks for playing 🐥💐📚😊 3y
32 likes1 comment
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KelsiTaylor
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Pickpick

This book is truly breathtaking and I hope every single person reads it in their lifetime. A beautifully heartbreaking, and tragically inspiring book.
“And if ever someone calls my child a terrorist...I will hold my child, any child, close to me and I will explain that terrorism is being stalked and surveilled simply because you are alive.”

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Singout
Pickpick

Excellent memoir from Patrisse Khan-Cullors, illustrating how growing up as a Black child and teen gave her insights into systemic oppression that led her to co-found #BlackLivesMatter as an adult. She does a great job of interweaving experience and analysis, opening up her soul and personal relationships and examining intersectional oppressions. Painful and anger-inducing but essential.
#Nonfiction2021 #SomethingbyaPersonofColor

Riveted_Reader_Melissa This was a great book! One of the other co-founders of BLM wrote this one, and I‘m looking forward to reading it sometime this year too. Either when my library hold comes in or when I have a few extra dollars. 😉 3y
Singout Thank you! Stacked! 3y
10 likes3 comments
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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

This was a tough and amazing book to listen to. It points out so many moments when our criminal justice and mental health systems could do better. When the police could do better. Really, when white people could do and be better, acknowledge our own privilege and help stop the systemic racism our country is built on.

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Singout
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How is it possible that the only response we have for poor people who are mentally ill is criminalization? How does this align with the notion of a democratic or free society to not take care of “the least of these?” More mentally ill people In our nations‘ prisons than in all our psychiatric hospitals combined? Human beings charged with all manner of terrible sounding crimes, like my brother has been? What kind of society do we live in?

Come-read-with-me Such a great book and such great questions! 3y
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Singout
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What kind of society uses medicine as a weapon, keeps it from people needing to heal, all the while continuing to develop the drugs America‘s prisons use to execute people?

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Chelleo
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#currentlylistening to tagged book & really enjoying it. It‘s still firmly rooted in her personal story and family history. I also decided to finally try my Haze tea from The Black Leaf company ( #BlackOwned ). It‘s the prettiest blue and tastes delicious! Thank you so much @GirlMeetsBook !! I was a little hesitant to try it because I‘m a tea novice and was a bit intimidated by the loose leaf and the color🤦🏾‍♀️ Makes a great #BlitsySwap gift!

Prairiegirl_reading That book is excellent!! 3y
Amiable I'm a huge tea drinker and always looking out for new tea companies -- thanks for the heads up about this one! 3y
82 likes2 comments
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Eggbeater
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Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This memoir is powerful and inspiring and it left me sobbing in places. Patrisse Khan-Cullors writes about her family's struggle with mental health and addiction and the terrible impact that law enforcement made on members who were sick and needed care and not incarceration and torture. Her story resonated with me because mental illness and addiction runs strongly in my white family and their interactions with police were vastly different.⬇️

Eggbeater I know the desperation of trying to care for someone who is sick through no fault of their own and no one should have the added burden of being afraid for their lives by outside sources. This is where her activism comes from. Seeing Black people treated as if their lives don't matter by the very groups sworn to protect them. I challenge anyone under the misapprehensiin that the BLM movement is a terrorist organization to read this memoir unmoved. 3y
Come-read-with-me I agree with the sentiment that this is a memoir that will move anyone who takes the time to read it. I teach at the University where Patrisse Kahn-Cullirs also teaches. I‘ve heard her speak and she is powerful! 3y
Reviewsbylola I read this one a year or two ago and it‘s stuck with me. 3y
See All 8 Comments
Trashcanman How are you??? 3y
Eggbeater @Trashcanman I'm good, George.🤗 How are you? 3y
Trashcanman @Eggbeater I'm ok I guess, I ran out if my medication 3y
Trashcanman @Eggbeater I don't like taking it 3y
Eggbeater @Trashcanman I have thoughts on this. I think I'll send them on an email. 3y
65 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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Come-read-with-me
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Pickpick

This powerful and evocative work brought me to tears. Some tears were of anger, some of horror, some of disbelief, & some were sad. The authors provide a narrative that made me, a white woman of privilege, ask myself “Where have I been all of my life? Why did I not know this?” Written by one of the founding members of Black Lives Matter, this should be on the shelf of every person who wants to champion true social change in this world. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Singout Downloaded it from the library a few months ago but haven‘t got to it yet! Thanks for the nudge! Have you read “The Skin We‘re In” by Desmond Cole? (edited) 3y
Come-read-with-me @Singout I haven‘t but I‘m putting it on my TBR. Thanks for the recommendation! 3y
Singout Thanks again, I am in the middle of it now. So powerful. 3y
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Clare-Dragonfly
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Pickpick

Patrisse‘s story is fascinating, painful, and moving. I‘m glad she chose to share it. It really brought home to me some things that I was theoretically aware of but didn‘t really understand, like the way the war on drugs has destroyed Black communities. Reading it so soon after Hidden Valley Road really shows the stark differences between how the schizophrenic boys in that book and her mentally ill brother Monte were treated.

Reviewsbylola I really admire Patrisse after reading her story. 3y
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Kenyazero
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Pickpick

An excellent book. An especially good read for anyone curious or conflicted about #BLM or anyone who repeats AllLivesMatter but doesn't consider racism and white supremacy to be part of their identity. Cullors shares her experiences with racism, with losing family members to our diseased justice system, with organizing the BLM movement, and with being a queer black woman. #ownvoices #lgbtq #poc #TheRainbowShelf

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LeaLea
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Pickpick

A memoir, but also an intersectional commentary on systemic racism and mental illness.

There were two things that did bother me; the author‘s tendency to excuse abusive behavior due to mental illness and the author‘s defensiveness over loving (only two!) cis-het men.

It is possible to be compassionate AND call out abusive behavior.

And dear fellow queer/bisexual people: You are allowed to love who you love, you do not need to defend yourself.

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HeatherBookNerd
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Patrisse Khan-Cullors shares the story of growing up watching her family experience the discrimination, oppression, and violence aimed at black people in America. And she tells of helping to create the Black Lives Matter movement, and of the LGBT and female centered leadership upon which the movement was founded. It is a raw, real look at the brutal racism robbing black communities of dignity, hope, and their very lives. Highly recommend.

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HeatherBookNerd
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This book is just fantastic, but the truth of it all is so brutal and heartbreaking.

sherri That is a great book. 4y
violabrain Agreed, great book! 4y
mrp27 Great book. Wish people could understand this... 4y
HeatherBookNerd @sherri @violabrain @mrp27 I just finished it. Whew. Hard, but needed. 4y
28 likes4 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
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Pickpick

An enlightening #memoir of the #blacklivesmatter movement. I had no idea of the origin story behind the hashtag and the behind-the-scenes work being done by the author and her community. #antiracism work to be done, continuing to educate myself and learning more.

109 likes5 stack adds
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HeatherBookNerd
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Heartbreaking quote

KVanRead 😡 4y
27 likes1 comment
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Chelsea.Poole
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It's a beautiful night for a fire 🔥 #antiracismreading

Daisey Agreed! I‘m thinking about lighting one too as the sun goes down. 4y
Cathythoughts Great picture! Looks nice there 4y
101 likes1 stack add2 comments
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thepostman96
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And nothing has changed. Property is NOT more valuable than human life. Police need to be responsible for their actions. #blacklivesmatter

TheShaggyShepherd I have this on my library list and am looking forward to reading it. 4y
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thepostman96
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thepostman96
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thepostman96
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Pickpick

This was powerful and heartbreaking and so eye opening. I feel like every white person should read this memoir so we can gain some understanding (as much as we are capable of) of what the members of our black community have to experience every day. #blacklivesmatter

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valeriegeary
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A little afternoon backyard reading. Well, one of us is reading....🐶
This book is powerful and so much more intimate than I expected going in. The story, not just of a movement, but of a life marked by strength, courage, and compassion.

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BkClubCare
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In California there are more than 4,800 barriers to re-entry, from jobs, housing and food bans, to school financial aid bans and the list goes on. You can have a two-year sentence but it doesn‘t mean you‘re not doing life. Heart-wrenching.
we can be more than the worst of the hate...

26 likes1 stack add2 comments
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cdreincarnate
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Pickpick

Such a powerful and beautifully written memoir. Everyone should read it.

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Garabrandtreviews
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All my life I have tried to understand people and issues by reading. This is how I connect everything. The highlighted lines burned me.

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EChata
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Pickpick

I‘m working to educate myself, because I‘ve realized I‘m so much more ignorant than I ever imagined. This book...read it. Embrace it. Learn from it. Let it make you think and help you grow. #blacklivesmatter #sayhername

Garabrandtreviews Same, love 4y
TheShaggyShepherd I‘m anxiously awaiting this one at the library. 4y
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MallenNC
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Pickpick

This wasn‘t an easy book to read even though it‘s short. One of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement tells her story, from childhood until right after the 2016 election. She and the two cofounders were inspired to start this movement after Trayvon Martin‘s killer was acquitted. There is repetition in this book, but I think it‘s purposeful to show the systemic nature of the challenges she has faced.

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notreallyelaine
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Finished in a few hours! I love a good memoir

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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

A very important book to read. The author, who co-founded the Black Lives Matter movement,talks about her life growing up black, with a brother who is mentally ill and ends up in prison as a result.

I‘m not sure why this excerpt resonated so much,when there are so many other shocking facts and statistics in the book. I think it‘s because of the casualness and lack of accountability of the media, and the realisation how often this must happen.

TrishB Yep, the media 😢 got this book this week. 4y
Nute Perpetual sadness! 4y
kspenmoll Such a vital read- read this in a coffee shop when it was published and could not stop. Great quote. 4y
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Prairiegirl_reading It‘s such a great book, so eye-opening. So many punches to the guy and yet still hopeful. 4y
eraderneely And if you‘re not a very critical consumer of the news, this sort of language can really impact your understanding of an event. That kind of power is scary. 4y
squirrelbrain That‘s the worry isn‘t it Emily? @eraderneely - so many people get their news from unreliable or biased sources and take it as gospel. 4y
79 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Kenyazero
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For #pridemonth2020, I'm highlighting 30 openly LGBTQ+ authors. Patrisse Cullors is an artist, activist, and co-founder of the #BLM movement. #lgbtqvoices #lgbtq #blackvoices #lgbtqauthors #blackauthors #activism

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Riveted_Reader_Melissa
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Today‘s #Recommendsday for your #BLMReadingList is this fabulous book. I did not know, until I came across it in another book that #BLM was started by a group of woman & around the time I learned that there was a lot of pressure as people protested in Ferguson etc to have BLM labeled a terrorist group, so this was a timely read for me and still is now. Lots of facts I didn‘t know about how the movement was started and the opposition it faced!

Maria514626 Thank you for all of your suggestions! 👍🙌👏 4y
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sarahlandis
Pickpick

This book is important! Written by the founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, Patrisse Khan-Cullors writes about her life- her experience growing up in a poor black community, the constant police presence, her experience with mental health and police involvement, and coming of age as an activist. She discusses abuse in prisons, murders and assault by police officers, and tells the stories that ignited this movement.

sarahlandis Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, John Crawford III, Michael Brown, and so many more. American politics surrounding slavery, prisons, and black people haven't changed for centuries, and this is a movement aiming to change that. Her brother was called a terrorist when he was experiencing a mental breakdown and she was called a terrorist for creating a movement. 4y
5 likes1 comment
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Emilymdxn
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This incredible memoir by the founders of the #blacklivesmatter movement is FREE on kindle at the moment I just discovered! It‘s definitely free on UK amazon and I think it is for American accounts as well. It‘s such an essential read at the moment and one of the best memoirs I‘ve ever read.

TrishB Thanks 👍🏻 just got. 4y
MicheleinPhilly Not free in the U.S. but snagged with my “other” account. ☺️ 4y
Itchyfeetreader Just downloaded thank you 4y
63 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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sebrittainclark
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1. In a hammock

2. Mexican take out

3. When They Call You A Terrorist

4. 2 cats and 1 dog

#friyayintro @4thhouseontheleft @howjessreads

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DGRachel
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Pickpick

It took me four days to get through this 6 1/2 hour audiobook, not because it was bad, but because it was such a powerful, heartbreaking, maddening memoir. This is not only Patrisse‘s story, it‘s the origin story of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Highly recommended, incredibly relevant and important, but be prepared to give yourself space to read/listen. It‘s not easy to take in and get through.

squirrelbrain Just managed to get this on Libby, I was surprised it wasn‘t already borrowed.(not on audio though) 4y
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DGRachel
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I started this on Monday. It‘s such a hard read. I was sobbing Tuesday, couldn‘t bring myself to listen yesterday, and started back up today. I‘m 60% done and I‘m in tears again. The torture scenes are so horrifying. This has to stop. #DefundThePolice #BlackLivesMatter

Riveted_Reader_Melissa This book was so good! And important!! 4y
Emilymdxn One of my favourite books I‘ve ever read, I agree it hits very hard and is painful to read. #defundthepolice 4y
DGRachel @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Emilymdxn Just Mercy made me sad and angry. This one makes me physically ill. There just aren‘t words to explain how horrible the treatment of Black people by police departments and prison officials is. 4y
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Brooke_H
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Pickpick

Powerful memoir by one of the BLM movement founders, but it is about so much more than that. It is about queer rights, family and community love, classism, the bogus war on drugs, underfunded schools, mental health advocacy... Besides all of that, this is quite simply a beautifully written page turner. Not many books can keep me up past bedtime (hey, I'm old, whatever), but this one is hard to put down. Inspiring and heartbreaking.

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RoxyWilde
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A good but very hard read

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