Thank you Penguin for this ARC
I went into this book expecting history, and difficult racial experiences. I didn't expect such raw and empathic writing. Allen doesn't just tell you about what Kevin and Gibran are experiencing, her writing pulls you into the story right into their shoes. I've never read a book where the level at which the character is experiencing plot also has the reader experiencing everything to such perfect detail.
The story follows Kevin and Gibran, two young Black men in different time periods facing similar struggles. Kevin's POV leads up to the events of the Columbia University sit in, while Gibran tries to get his school to allow him and other Black students to attend the Million Man March. Both contend with racism, microaggressions, gaslighting, and pushback at the thought that racism is even happening in their schools.
I really love this book. It focuses on very real events of history that doesn't get taught in schools, and if it does it is with a glossy sheen. The relationship that Gibran has with his Mother is executed so well. She is someone who has lived through horrible events and has experienced a level of fear that Gibran hasn't yet. She just wants to protect her family, and has seen what activism has done to people like her brother. The frustration Gibran experiences with feeling like she doesn't understand or hear him, it just was so good. I also really liked the drawings through the book, again it just helped set the scene and visualize what is going on. I promise this isn't the gut wrenching book I fear I am making it sound like. There is so much hope in this, and support. The way Harlem comes together to support the protesters and bring them food, and how Gibran's friends and classmates just want to help him if he would only listen. The way family is so strong in this story and always supports the characters with love, even if they don't quite seem to understand (or like) what has them so passionate. The sense of community and togetherness makes every difficult scene worth reading.
Please make sure you check your trigger warnings before reading. Apart from the racism, the tension in scenes especially with police and protests had me on edge, and it will be difficult for a lot of people to read.
There are certain groups of people who like to think that racism and microaggressions are always loud and obvious, big events that lead to arguments. The reality is that it much more like a slow and steady drip of seemingly inconsequential events. Ignorant and passive aggressive actions actions that just build and build and poke and poke and prod and hurt until everything just builds up and the pressure explodes. And then it is all "why are you so defensive. We didn't mean it that way. " If you fight back you are the problem. Etc. Or you hold it inside of you and it eats away at your dignity and everything you are until you are composed of nothing but bitterness and rage.
This is the third book that I've read this year focusing on the BIPOC experience at predominantly white schools. They continue to be some of the most relatable, raw, and overall excellent books that I will never stop recommending.
I HIGHLY recommend this book, and I can't wait to read what Autumn Allen writes next.