Citizen

Citizen

by Claudia Rankine

Claudia Rankine’s book, Citizen, was a relatively quick read (90 minutes) but did an excellent job describing the many challenges that Black Americans face.  The book mixes images, artwork, and experiences ranging from microaggresions to assault of Black people in the US.  From Serena Williams and the times she faced racial discrimination from tennis judges to the physical attack of one man trying to drive home, pulled over by the police because of the color of his skin.  Her seven-chapter book made me stop and pause, realizing how privileged I am because I’m a white male. I am not subjected to conscious and subconscious attacks because of the color of my skin.  The chapters are short but cut deep into the fabric of the problems our country faces.  Rankine’s words are direct and offer the reader an opportunity for self-reflection.  She discloses her own journey through a handful of experiences in which she was treated differently, from her job search to being the only black student in a classroom.  Chapter six is the hardest to read as she chronicles the stories of so many Black Americans (Treyvon Martin and James Craig Anderson) who have died at the hands of those more privileged, followed by stories of Hurricane Katrina victims.  A lot of perspective can be gained through exposure to the struggles that non-white people face.  I plan on using some chapters in the book for my class on campus community.  Well written using a “millennial format” – big font, less text on the page.  It will be hard for me to put away the perspectives of non-majority people having read this book.  Thanks to Claudia Rankine for sharing a perspective that needs to be told.  A must read.