[Read as an audiobook from the public library]
This is a book that I knew I was going to enjoy and also spend a fair amount of time going “Oh my god WHAT” at. I am never doubtful that racist things happen, but I am sometimes still surprised at just what kind of ignorance comes out of people’s mouths in public to other people.
If you don’t know who Amber Ruffin is, please stop reading this and go educate yourself. Right now. She is a hilarious delightful treasure that we do not deserve in this world, and that of course comes through in this book. I borrowed the audiobook, narrated by her and her sister (mostly Amber), so it was especially great because she’s obviously funny as always.
The content of the book is not as funny, only because of course it’s just repeated incidents of racism, from tiny to egregious. I’ve never lived anywhere except Kentucky and I didn’t doubt that any of these things happened. And I’m white, so obviously I haven’t ever had any of these things directed at me. If anything, I’ve been on the other side where people are attempting to create some kind of group cohesion by making very bad jokes.
That being said, this is an excellent book. Even when — especially when — some of the stories are hard to listen to (but never hard to believe). Ruffin and Lamar handle these stories with grace and humor and way more poise than I could ever. Lacey is a saint for the amount of times she’s sat down with ignorant people and tried to educate them. Their mother…the story about the crayons was my favorite. Theresa Ruffin hurting feelings is a whole mood.
I recommend this book to everybody because it’s great, but if you’re person of color and have dealt with your own pile of microaggressions on up to aggressions, obviously your mileage may vary. But this is a great audiobook and I’ll probably buy the print edition sometime soon because I really enjoyed it and I want to make other people read it.
