Have I been living under a rock??? Like, why haven’t I read this book before?? Wow. This book is mind-blowing and deeply engaging all at the same time. I was initially interested in this book after a number of friends had nothing but great things to say for this book. I prioritized it this year after I made my reading challenge this year. This book was published before I was born, and it immediately put me into a mindframe like I was talking to my dad about ‘back in the day.’ There are some late 60’s/70’s vibe to it in regards to the vernacular used in the dialogues between some characters. I feel like I’ve just heard a story from my dad and his brothers, and it was an amazing experience to live in and read about in this racial climate we have going on right now. This book satiricalizes some ideals from the Civil Rights era, and the continued fight towards equality of Black Americans. Major themes in this book discuss: - Capitalism - Colonial theft - Imperialism - Socialism - Anti-Black sentiment - Integration - Systemic racism Sam Greenlee shares the frustrations Black people have with the government, and with white supremacy. The constant need for Black people to have to appease ‘the white man’ or stay true to self and struggle. The never-ending terrorism from police brutality. The constant harassment in corporate America from macro/micro-aggressions. While Greenlee builds tension and mystery in this book, it poses as a metaphor as to how the pressure is building up in our community, sending us closer and closer to a boiling point. Ready to strike back and put pressure on systems that continue to create and perpetuate systemic racism. This book is timely and a classic. Unfortunately, this book is still relevant and the reader can truly understand the past as it relates to our current present day. Although some progress has been made, it is clear that we are still far away from our ultimate goal. In our current racial posture, and with Black Lives Matter as our emerging national movement, this book is a great compliment to ponder on while you think about the present day racial tension that still exists. #thespookwhosatbythedoor #samgreenlee https://www.instagram.com/p/CPl7CImrhJv/?utm_medium=tumblr
