Claudia Rankine's "Citizen: An American Lyric" is marked by powerful imagery that complements her message in striking ways.
The mix of poetry, news accounts, free-writing, and art in this collection makes for a strong message that meanders at times. Rankine's work is a quick, absorbing read that sucks you in and celebrates the various media that can be called to action to convey a sensibility and identity.
"Sitting there staring at the closed garage door you are reminded that a friend once told you there exists the medical term -- John Henryism -- for people exposed to stresses stemming from racism. They achieve themselves to death trying to dodge the buildup of erasure."
While I didn't feel the author's use of Serena Williams interaction with line judges in tennis was the most pertinent and relatable example of racism, the book itself makes a resonant statement on the status of race relations in the United States.
Rankine's writing joins the catalog of worthy resources that are critical to developing an understanding of not just our current national moment, but the murky backroads that have led us here.
"It is not only confrontation that is headache-inducing; it is also that you have a destination that doesn't include acting like this moment isn't inhabitable, hasn't happened before, and the before isn't part of the now as the night darkens and the time shortens between where we are and where we are going."
No comments:
Post a Comment