Book Reflection: We Gon' Be Alright

My latest read is the book, We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation by Jeff Chang. The book, first published in 2016, is a collection of essays that analyzes recent issues concerning race in America. Chang takes on many pressing topics including institutional diversity, student protests, cultural equity, urban displacement, and the protests in Ferguson. One common thread that permeates through the book's chapters is resegregation. In his introduction, Chang writes that "even as we have come to mostly celebrate 'diversity,' resegregation is happening all around us: in our neighborhoods and schools, our colleges and universities, even in the culture." This sentence helps set the stage as Chang goes on to highlight the divisions and inequities that still exist in our "post-racial" society. We Gon' Be Alright does an excellent job of discussing social phenomenons that many people feel, but aren't able to articulate. In his diagnosis of issues plaguing American society, Chang provides historical context that helps readers view today's conditions from a broader perspective. Such a timeline of policies and cultural shifts help show that the things we see today don't just happen by chance. Reading this book opened my eyes to the work that still needs to be done to create an equitable society. Though there appears to be progress, racial and economic disparities still exist that significantly affect quality of life for many Americans. These divisions propagate tensions that come to haunt us at times in tragic occurrences. This book details an urgent need for us to begin viewing our future as a nation as interconnected. Chang writes of his own experience as an Asian-American, which highlights the complexities that shape race relations and identity in America. In his conclusion, Chang expresses how critical it is for us to see the humanity in our fellow citizens. It is difficult to read of the pain that has been inflicted upon marginalized members of our society. However, it is necessary to discuss if we are to ever see true progress. We Gon' Be Alright is an insightful dissection of our current times and deserves to be read by all Americans. You can order using the link below. Thanks for reading!

https://www.amazon.com/We-Gon-Be-Alright-Resegregation/dp/0312429487