Previous reviewer Blingle Bells called this book “Getting woke for beginners” and yeah, they’re not wrong. This book would be a great gift for the wavering independent (or maybe even centrist conservative) in your life. Ajayi lays out a lot of the basics of institutional racism and sexism in ways that are veeeery difficult to argue or play devil’s advocate with (although screw people who play devil’s advocate – the devil does not need an advocate, much less you.) Luvvie Ajayi has written the book […]
A Refreshing Social Critique
I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual by Luvvie Ajayi My rating: 4 of 5 stars “I’m Judging You” is a collection of essays/blogs compiled into a book. I enjoyed the shade that Ajayi threw at the subjects she writes about, from friends, pop culture, to politics, and relationships. I appreciated her humor and willingness to say what needed to be said. Two of her chapters that stood out to me were her pieces on feminism and race. While Ajayi isn’t saying anything that most informed […]
2: I’m Judging You
I read this book for CBR9, and I’ll post the link here, so that I don’t re-summarize anything for you. I’m reading it for my other book club at my local library (I know, lots of book clubs; what could possibly go wrong?), and I decided that in 2018, I needed a little no-nonsense good advice in my life again. As you know from reading my review, this is where Luvvie excels. She cuts through silly nonsense and makes excellent calls to action. What struck […]
Getting woke for beginners.
It’s kind of hard to review this book without sounding like a jackass. I really wanted to love it based on the salty cover and title, and I think I was just really prepared to be the “you” in question, get called on my bullshit, and, well, do better. Luvvie is a super likable and engaging writer, and parts of it were great. The first half was more about her views and anecdotes on life, people, friendship, money, dating. Nothing groundbreaking but there was some […]
Luvvie is awesome. And you need to read her.
I don’t remember how I heard of Luvvie Ajayi or her Awesomely Luvvie blog, but I need more of her in my life. I’m always looking for insightful feminist commentary, and it delights me to read works by feminists of color. And it doubly delights me when they are young. I think so much of what we define as “feminism” in an academic context stems from the 1960s-1990s, and frankly, the term and its applications have changed so drastically, that we need work to represent […]
“Well, until He gives His final judgment, here’s some of mine.” You’re welcome!
A good introduction can grab you by the collar and say “sit down, this book is going to need your attention.” I immediately bought into Luvvie Ajayi’s I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual when I read the first line of the introduction. One day, I was minding everyone’s business, scrolling through my Facebook news feed when I saw a picture of someone’s dead grandma being prepared for burial. Sold! I enjoyed this book tremendously. I think I marked at least 5 passages a chapter that […]