Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have been trying to find the right words to write this review. I have never had a book affect me on such a deep level, or make me feel as many emotions. As a white woman of privilege growing up in the south, I have been trying to figure out race my whole life. We study history as if it were so long ago, but the reality is that slavery and the civil rights movement were not that long ago. The half truths that our history books taught us, contradict the reality and trauma that stem multigenerationaly. I knew the history and facts of Bakari and his family, but I didn’t know his story. I didn’t know the pain. I didn’t know how deep his history runs in his blood. I certainly didn’t understand the burden that he carries on his shoulders. I can’t imagine how painful and exhausting it must be. I have always admired Bakari, but my respect for him has grown exponentially. I am just amazed and in awe of him. June 17, 2015, my 28th birthday, changed who I am to my core. I have always been one to speak out against racism. I have always gone out of my way to show kindness. But that day, it changed everything for me. That night as our city was invaded and nine lives were stolen from us, I had to reevaluate the reality of our world. That was day that I became an advocate and an ally. That was the day that I realized being kind wasn’t enough. I realized how little I knew, and how I had never taken the time to listen. My perspective of the entire world shifted in that moment. I am constantly listening and asking questions, so that I can help be a beacon of light to my community. But I realized something while reading this book. As thoughtful and conscious as I try to be, I never once had any idea what that had to have felt like for our loved ones of color. I know that I will never fully know, but listening to Bakari talk about losing his mentor and friend, it just shook me. A single day was so powerful that it changed my entire life, and I only experienced a small fraction of it. To my white friends who consider yourself and ally, please read this book. It will change you. Bakari, thank you for writing this. You should not have to carry this burden, but I hope you are proud of how well you have done it. I am in awe, and I will keep fighting and listening and learning.