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Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching
Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man's Education | Mychal Denzel Smith
152 posts | 92 read | 3 reading | 339 to read
Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching is an account of how, politically and culturally, the existing script for black manhood has been rewritten for the millennial generation. Young men of this age have watched as Barack Obama was elected president but have also witnessed the deaths of Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Akai Gurley, and so many other young black men killed by police or vigilante violence. Chronicling his personal and political education during these tumultuous years, Smith narrates his own coming-of-age story and his struggles to come into his own at a time when too many black men do not survive into adulthood. From Barack Obamas landmark speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 to the recent and widely reported cases of violence against women, from powerful moments of black self-determination like LeBron James decision to the mobilization of thousands of young black men in the wake of Trayvon Martins death, Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching documents of how these public milestones have challenged cultural notions of black manhood. Part memoir, part political tract, this book is an unprecedented and intimate glimpse into what it means to be young, black, and male in America todayand what it means to be treated as a human in a society dependent on your subjugation.
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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#BlackHistoryMonth Recommendations Last day 28
Nonfiction
Incredibly insightful, and should be on every must read list for Americans. Smith says all the things that need to be said, often in a no holds bar way. And the amount of self reflection going on throughout makes his book extremely unique in this genre where everyone tends to think they have things figured out

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The_Book_Ninja
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Pickpick

This is a book for black people but is an important read if youre white & care about the racism & brutality that has plagued America throughout its history.It‘s not one of those books black academics write for whites, like it‘s their job to solely educate us.This is about the doomed notion of the “politics of respectability”: Dont misbehave, conform to avoid racism.This wont dismantle inequality & Smith explores why with his own life as a backdrop

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triplem80
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Pickpick

Since I had already started it, my #doublespin ended up being my first completed read of the month!

I absolutely loved this book. The author shares how his experiences as a young black man have shaped his attitude toward not just race, but his views on misogyny, homophobia, mental health and other issues. I appreciated his perspective and his thoughts on how we can all do better.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 4y
5 likes1 comment
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megnews
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Great kindle deal. I read this in 2016 and it was very good.
#BlackLivesMatter

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crhealey
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I thought this was such a well written, succinct, and utterly truthful sentence. #nowreading

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crhealey
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☝🏻

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crhealey
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MandaMT
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Pickpick

There were many places here that I wanted to stop and take a “blurb” photo, but didn‘t want to disrupt the flow. I‘d try to turn back to something I thought I‘d just read on the last page, only to find it five or more pages back. Such an engrossing book! Smith‘s writing style hits an intriguing balance of affirming and then challenging beliefs around identity. (I think. I get that as a white lady I‘m neither an expert nor the target audience here)

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Wannabe_Quijote
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JoScho Queso 🙌🏼 7y
14 likes1 comment
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TheBookDream
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I started reading this while my dude is playing Persona 5. We‘ve dubbed these baddies “rage testicles” or “blue balls of fury.” 🙄😆

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Wannabe_Quijote
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Owlizabeth
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Pickpick

Vital, angry, insightful - this is the mind of a young black man and it‘s beautiful and necessary and heartbreaking. I wanted more feminism, but I always do. Overall, read this book. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼1/2

ohyeahthatgirl I, too, always want more feminism! 7y
69 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Owlizabeth
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Owlizabeth
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“But the system isn‘t filled with a bunch of doe-eyed innocents, and that doesn‘t make them any less worthy of justice. They shouldn‘t be discarded as people on the basis of their mistakes.”

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Owlizabeth
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Even though I‘m in the middle of two other books, this one keeps nudging me for attention. I think it‘s time.

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arnamc
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Pickpick

I loved reading about the pop cultural, literary and political influences that shaped a person's thinking. Full of well crafted insight.

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tholmz
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Pickpick

Stunning. From mental health to homophobia, Mychal Denzel Smith speaks the truth the whole way through. Absolutely will give this book as gifts to multiple people in my life.

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Kathrin
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Pickpick

Interesting read with quite a focus on intersectionality of race and gender.

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TheNextBook
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Pickpick

Well damn... This got 5 stars from me. It was pretty incredible. We are the same age so I found a lot of what he said to be extremely relatable. Smith's social commentary is spot on and his ability to self reflect, analyze and explain how his experiences relate to so many others is very well done. I definitely recommend this book. I think it's a must read.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Great list! And great progress too! 7y
HippieChickHomeschool I think I need to steal your list! 7y
TheNextBook @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I'm trying to make my way through it methodically!!! So I dont burn out 😂 So far so good! 7y
TheNextBook @HippieChickHomeschool I'll tag you in the list without the lines so you can screenshot it! 7y
73 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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TheNextBook
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Back to my "must read" list and... honestly, I would be perfectly happy to stay at home and finish this book right now because THIS is amazing.

Notafraidofwords It's so good. He makes such great points. 7y
TheNextBook @Notafraidofwords He is my age so seeing his perspective on everything is extremely relatable! 7y
Alicia Can't wait to read this one. 7y
TheNextBook @Alicia I waited way too long to finally read this. I've had it for months and just hadn't gotten around to it 7y
63 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Victoriahoperose
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Pickpick

This is a very important book for everyone to read in regards not only to racial issues but discrimination in general. The writing is extremely easy to relate with and the author does a great job with anecdotes and examples to make it not only timely but something that will also be relevant in the future.

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readordierachel
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#audiowalking through the city on my way home from a job interview. This book is 👍

vivastory I hope you get the job! 7y
readordierachel @vivastory Thanks! Me too 😉 7y
OrangeMooseReads 🤞🏼 for the job 7y
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Yeah_I_Read I really liked this one too. I was telling my sister about the "twice as good" part. Good luck with the job ?? 7y
readordierachel @Yeah_I_Read It's such a good/frustrating point. I'm also liking the way he talks about sexism. (And thanks! 😊) 7y
Beckys_Books Good luck! I had a job interview today, too. 🤞 7y
readordierachel @Beckys_Books Good luck to you too!! 7y
batsy All the best and I'm hoping you get it! 7y
readordierachel @batsy Thank you! 💕 7y
RohitSawant Good luck! Hope you get it! 7y
readordierachel @rohit-sawant Thanks! 😊 7y
EvieBee How‘d it go?! Can‘t go wrong with red shoes! 😍 7y
readordierachel @EvieBee It went really well! They offered me the job on Friday. Thanks for asking 🤗 7y
BooksForEmpathy Nice! What's the job?? 7y
readordierachel @BooksForEmpathy Thanks! It's an editorial position at a nonprofit. I'm very happy 😊 7y
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bookwrm526
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Pickpick

Combining my July wrap-up with a review of the tagged books, one of the best I finished this month. It was a slow month for me, partially because I don't have to commute for work so my audiobook numbers are down, but better than June so I'll take it!

Gissy It was amazing! 13 books? Wow! Fantastic! 🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏📚😍 7y
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bookwrm526
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Spent the morning at a local coffee shop writing and decorating thank you postcards for some senators and service members. I got attacked by an adorable toddler-beast in the process, but I survived!

razmanda So many stickers! She loooooved you. 7y
bookwrm526 @razmanda well, it helps that she's adorable :) 7y
39 likes2 comments
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Caryl
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At this point, I think I can safely say I highly recommend this one.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Pickpick

This is one young black man's process of growing up and analyzing himself and the world he lives in. However, it's not a traditional "coming of age" story with everyday minutiae. Smith includes his inspirations, frustrations, role models, and perspective on current events. Throughout the book, he opens his mind and his heart to his readers. It's a politically conscious memoir.

Longer review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1874083756

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Grabbing two minutes to rest my weary feet and read before our crazy family descends on us! 💕💕🎉🎉🎉🎉💕💕

Cinfhen Enjoy 💕💕💕 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen Thanks! I'm sure we will. 😘 8y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Have fun! Enjoy!!! 8y
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LeahBergen Fun!! ❤️ 8y
LauraBrook What a lovely home! Hope you have a great time! 8y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Have fun!!🌸 8y
mklong Beautiful table! Have fun!! 8y
melbeautyandbooks Have fun! 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Thanks! We had a lovely afternoon and now I am all kinds of tired. I've got my feet up reading! @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @LeahBergen @LauraBrook @JanuarieTimewalker13 @mklong @melbeautyandbooks 8y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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This seems like a good extension of some of the other reading I've done lately. From Ellison's Invisible Man, to Kindred, to The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and Ta-Nehesi Coates' Between The World and Me to this. Smith is drawing me right in!

#nonfictionchallenge17

Jas16 Loved this one 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Notafraidofwords Thanks for the reminder - I just put it on hold! 8y
AmyG One of the best books I have ever read...that has stayed with me since I read it...Black Boy - Richard Wright. Add this one, too. 8y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @AmyG I will - thanks! 8y
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SaraBeagle
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Pickpick

Part memoir, part essays on race, misogyny, homophobia and the stigma of mental illness. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #LitsyAtoZ

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bookishlyblessed
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Pickpick

A fantastic read!!! This story of a black man, growing up and his ever evolving relationship and beliefs about race is eye opening. I loved every second of it. I know I will be returning to this book for information and insight again.

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Leelee.reads
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First day of Spring Break, first book read! We are off to a great start!

8little_paws Oh this book is 🔥 8y
Megabooks Awesome book! 8y
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Reese_Pearly.Pages

"I wasn't supposed to ever give anyone the opportunity to think of me as less than." I can relate- similar words I heard from my mom growing up.

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mischa
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Pickpick

An easy to read but thoughtful book on what it means to be a young black man in America today. I am looking forward to reading more by Smith.

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8little_paws
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Pickpick

Can't say enough good things about this book. Part memoir and part essay, one of the best books I've read this year so far. An instant favorite. Very excited to see what more Smith has to say.

Why I read it: #litsyatoz letter I, TBR takedown.

Megabooks 5🌟 for me too!! 8y
BooksForEmpathy Ahhhh!!!! One of my all-time favorites!!!! 8y
rachellayown I totally agree! 8y
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8little_paws
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I'm absolutely loving this memoir. Apparently, March is the month for memoirs by younger writers for me.

rachellayown I loved this one!!!! 8y
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ness
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Pickpick

This book gave me so much to think about. It's about privilege and racism and intersectionality and feminism and mental health issues and politics and more—all filtered through the lens of Mychal Denzel Smith's life. This is a must-read (or must-listen; Kevin R. Free kills the narration) for anyone thinking about race.

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Jas16
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It was a better month than I thought. Nine of those were audio books. It was another month of mostly library books so I am not doing especially well with reading books from my own shelves but I will take any progress. #feistyfeb #bestoffebruary

Reviewsbylola That's amazing! Looking forward to The Animators. 8y
Cinfhen Whoa!!!! That's incredible 🙌🏻🙌🏻No way I could ever read that many in a month!!! 8y
Claireluana Wow! 8y
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BeckaroniAndCheese Holy smokes! That's a lot of reading in one month! I have decades to go but I dream of retirement so my full time job can become reading 😉 8y
Redwritinghood Wow! Good job. 8y
rachellayown Incredible! 👏👏👏 8y
42 likes6 comments
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Broke_Girl_Reads
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Pickpick

Incisive, feminist commentary on what it means to grow up as a black man in the US evenly mixed with honest personal reflection. The whole book is excellent, but I particularly appreciated the chapter on mental health. This is an engaging must read and an excellent pick to celebrate #blackhistorymonth

Christine Hear, hear! 8y
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Anita
Pickpick

This is a great resistance read. Don't miss it.

Megabooks Agreed!! 8y
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Jas16
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Pickpick

I am so glad that I read this.

rachellayown Yes!!!! 8y
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amckiereads
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Pickpick

"But the source of my guilt is understanding that American racism will take some of our lives while holding others of us up as exemplars of success, providing the illusion that there is an escape. It places us in the unenviable position of wishing that our martyrs could have survived to become tokens." I liked this book - great examinations of homophobia, sexism, and stigma around mental illness. Some repetition of lines, though.

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Jas16
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My library socks are ready for #litsypartyofone and the wine is already gone (it was a small glass I swear). Starting off with the tagged book. I usually plow through a book but I can't with this one. It is amazing so far but I can only consume it in small bursts.

rachellayown I'm glad you like it! 8y
Jas16 @rachellayown I owe you thanks for pointing me in its direction. 8y
RadicalReader @Jas16 love the hashtag litsypartyofone accurately describes the wonderful connection people have when it comes to books and reading 8y
41 likes3 comments
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ness
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I just realized the narrator for this is Kevin from Welcome to Night Vale, and it is FREAKING ME OUT.

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LyndseyReads
Pickpick

Excellent. Challenging. Intersectional. I was looking for books to challenge my white, middle-class view of the world. This was a perfect choice.

Tcip This is on my TBR and has been for too long. 8y
LyndseyReads @Tcip I listened to it on audio, and though it's only about six hours, I took a month to finish because I'd stop after each chapter to think about what he said. 8y
19 likes2 comments
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amckiereads
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Did that thing I'm always terrified of doing, but had so far in life avoided.... missed my stop on the subway because I was reading.

Lesliereads Don't jinx the rest of us who have the same fear😁! 8y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Jas16
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Starting this one today for #blackhistory. #riotgrams

rachellayown 👍👍👍 8y
Jas16 @rachellayown I am reading it based on your recommendation! 8y
rachellayown Oh wow, thanks! I hope it doesn't disappoint! 8y
29 likes3 comments
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SarahSaysRead
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Pickpick

Well worth the read. Smith tells his own story of black male adolescence to adulthood, while offering interesting commentary on Dave Chappelle, school, mental illness, sports, Obama, and a handful of other subjects. There's a lot to muse on here, can't wait to see what he writes next.

#readingdiversely #blackculture #socialcommentary

JacquelynLovesYou This was maybe the first book i read by someone born close to the year i was born. It was interesting to hear him talk about 9/11 and the Bush years and all that and how it influenced him because i was only two years younger and had similar experiences. Even though I'm a white woman, i related to him a lot. 8y
SarahSaysRead @JacquelynLovesYou I had the same feeling! I'm about a year younger. I loved that I got ALL the "historical" and pop culture stuff he talked about. 8y
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TheBooktrovert
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SarahSaysRead
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Christine
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Pickpick

I hope to hear a lot more from Mychal Denzel Smith. In analyzing and contextualizing his personal journey to self and political awareness, he speaks bluntly but thoughtfully to so many important issues. I definitely recommend this one. 🔥

Broke_Girl_Reads This book just came through on my library holds list today! I can't wait to get my hands on it 8y
rachellayown I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope he writes more books. You're right about him having such a strong voice. 8y
Christine @Broke_Girl_Reads So glad your hold came in!! Will look forward to your thoughts on it. 8y
Christine @rachellayown Yes to more books...I want to read some of his work online in the meantime. 8y
rachellayown Great idea. He writes for the Nation. 8y
53 likes1 stack add5 comments