Welcome to Litsy!

Dyson has written an interesting and wide-ranging book centered on 1963 meeting between RFK, James Baldwin, and a number of other prominent civil rights activists. It ranges beyond this meeting, however, to encompass modern activism and the Obama and Trump presidencies, among other topics. It is well worth a read.

A more academic styled read about historical figures who fought racism which bleeds into the present day artists, intellectuals, and politicians fighting for freedom. It was hammered home that the Black elite are expected to stand for their people while white stars are allowed to be just themselves.

The more things change....

Lin-Manuel Miranda quote.

Next up.

Using a meeting between James Baldwin and RFK as a jumping off point, Dyson discusses race in our culture, primarily focusing on pop culture and athletes, with a look at how things have changed and have they have not. I like his perspective and really enjoyed segments of this book but struggled to pay attention to other parts. Not sure if that was me or the book. 🤷🏼‍♀️

This author does a phenomenal job of connecting a single conversation in 1963 to the issues we (still) face today.

I‘m only about 1/4 through this book, but I‘m finding it incredibly powerful - and a nice companion piece to Walking with the Wind, which I read late last year.

Michael Eric Dyson has incredibly important things to say about race in America. As long as he keeps writing books, I‘ll keep reading them. With the 1963 meeting between RFK and James Baldwin used more as a framework than a main topic, this book is full of astute and nuanced discussions about politics, activism, the approaches and impacts of various leaders (including Obama, Hillary, and athletes and artists past and present), and so much more.

I had to turn this back in to the library and didn‘t finish it, but what I read was magnificent, critical, honest, straightforward, and essential reading.

Hard truth. Essential reading.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A must read for all.
Dyson tackles race in a way that is necessary and needed in America today. All Americans need to read this book.

Thoughtful and insightful book about the meeting between Attorney General Robert Kennedy, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Kenneth Clark, Lena Horne, Jerome Smith, and Harry Belafonte. Dyson delivers as always. You can tell he‘s a man who loves language and history.

Pop quiz: JFK, RFK, or Joseph P Kennedy III?? #24in48 read

Because some people don't know or can't remember.... #24in48

This was such a good reading experience, I don‘t know if my review would give it justice. In 1963 General Robert Kennedy reached out to Baldwin to put together a group that might help him to understand the black American experience. This book recounts that meeting & much more. This deep insight into the 1900s and political figures today and of the past was fascinating. He also makes a case for Hilary Clinton that is both complex and insightful.

Michael Eric Dyson continues is discussion on race in America. His analysis on America of the past and today is on point. Great read if I you know a lot about American culture. Go check out my full review on the my blog browngirlreading.com #readsoullit