Amber Ruffin

I listened to the audio version, which I think is what really, truly swayed me from like to love with this book. I was already pulled in from the first pages, but the banter between Amber and Lacey on the recording was perfect. It helped offset the appalling stories in a way that made the whole thing feel less overwhelming and depressing. At times I couldn't believe what I was hearing--not in a "no way!" sort of way, but in that I was mortified for the people doing and saying what they did show more and said, and also challenged to examine my own thoughts and behaviors even more closely. show less

This was a fantastic read! I listened to the audiobook but immediately bought a copy of the book so I can see the pictures referenced within and just re-read it again. This was both incredibly sad and disturbing as well as laugh out loud funny. The blend of humor talking about terrible things was so well done and really brought all their points straight home. Although it is written in a comedic style, it really highlights that white privilege and systemic racism are alive and well in society show more today, despite what "color-blind" people want to believe. I highly recommend this book to everyone! show less

O.M.G. I am so ashamed of my race after reading this book. The things that people will say or do to another human being are atrocious. Thank goodness Amber and Lacey wrote this with a sense of humor, otherwise I'd be crying tears of sadness instead of crying from laughing.

If you want to understand racism from a Black person's point-of-view, this is a great source of information. Lacey lives in Omaha, Nebraska and shares stories or racism that have happened to her. From innocent comments to show more egregious actions, you won't believe the crap she (and every other Black person in America) have to put up with every day. I was exhausted halfway through the book ... and I'm just reading about it. If you have an ounce of empathy and/or a willingness to understand race issues in America, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. show less

Years ago I tried to tell my book club of a couple of articles I'd read that documented poor pregnancy outcomes in Black women compared to White women regardless of education or financial status. They thought I was nuts or at least exaggerating. Amber Ruffin and Lacey explain the phenomenon perfectly even though there's nothing about pregnancy in the book. There's this middle-class family of well-educated nerds, they love art and literature and math. They love sitting at the front of the show more class so the teacher can see what smarties they are. Yet throughout their lives, wherever they go (J. C. Pennys is prominent) they're assumed to be poor, ignorant, thieving prostitutes. As Amber says, "What?" If one of the things that happened to them happened to me I would be in a complete tizzy, yet they have to endure mean racist comments, off-hand racist comments, or "well meaning" racist comments continually. Amazingly, they have kept their sense of humor, but such attacks have to keep a body continually stressed, continually ready for fight or flight. Human bodies are not supposed to function under such assault. And Amber laughs through the whole book, and little Lacey is a bodybuilder. The combination of the horrid subject matter with Amber's comedic presentation is magical. show less