I Am Not Your Negro
I am not your Negro directed by Raoul Peck from text by James Baldwin
Reviewed by Omma
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The book begins with an introduction about how Raoul Peck came about the idea for the documentary based on texts by James Baldwin. So I feel like this book is more of a supplement rather than a stand alone read.
The original texts, real conversations with figures such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King and the thoughts and feelings of James Baldwin are still so relevant today and frustrating! People have been having these conversations for so damn long and shit just doesn't seem to be changing. Yes sure, on the surface it may seem like progress has been made but scratch just a little harder and it's so obvious it hasn't. The clear discrimination, alienation and biased hatred was shockingly seen even this week, in 2017(!!!!!) in Charlottesville. Actually fuck that, it isn't a shock at all. Without wanting to continue on with this rant, I'll just say that read this book. Read many more. Keep educating yourself on history, on the present and the changes that still need to be made. Challenge the beliefs of your families, your friends and colleagues. Call them out on their bullshit because being quiet in the face of discrimination makes you complicit. I'll also make a point of watching this documentary regardless of how frustrated I'll feel after it. It's no longer acceptable to remain naive because it's the easy thing to do. Get out of your comfort zone, feel uncomfortable, it's the least you can do.