Unequal: A Story of America by Dyson & Favreau

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dyson, Michael Eric and Marc Favreau. 2022. UNEQUAL: A STORY OF AMERICA. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780759557024.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This book is a collection of stories of bright and brave African Americans who have suffered injustice in this country, but prevailed and triumphed in spite of the odds against them. The authors begin by claiming truth and challenging the reader to look honestly at the tragic realities of the lives recounted in the pages to come. The accounts range from the Reconstruction after the Civil War to the recent events of 2021. The unfortunate themes of oppression and prejudice can easily be seen through centuries of American history. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is important.  Modern American society needs books like this one to retell history from a different, and more honest, perspective.  Personal and specific examples of the absurdity and destructive nature of racism need to be told and retold until the masses refuse to repeat the mistakes of the past.  However, I do not think the voice and tone of this book is the most constructive. The angry undertones take away from the purpose of historical clarity.  The anger is absolutely justified and understandable.  But just one example- if the goal is to be heard and understood, then why make intentional choices with capitalization like “Black people and white people” or “whites and Blacks.” It’s silly, but in every instance of the book, Black is capitalized and white is not. Throughout the book, Dyson and Favreau generalize all blacks together and all whites together. No doubt, racial issues are complex. I know this book isn’t overtly coaching reconciliation and unity, but instead is highlighting the inequalities of a nation, past and present. Fine and good. However, I don’t see the value in creating a looking glass for others to clearly see the truth, if you cloud or taint the glass with your own bias.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

Kirkus Reviews starred, (March 2022) “This accessible, riveting collection will inspire readers to claim responsibility for helping to ensure that the U.S. one day lives up to its most ethical professed ideals. Grounded in evidence and optimistic: uplifts the social power of studying Black American freedom fighters.”

Publishers Weekly starred, (April 2022)

School Library Connection starred, (May 2022)

School Library Journal starred, (May 2022) “VERDICT Empowering, profound, and necessary, purchase for all collections serving young adults.”

5. CONNECTIONS

*This book is a valuable addition to a "Civil Rights studies" collection, along with: 

Bullard, Sara. Free at last : a history of the Civil Rights movement and those who died in the struggle, ISBN 978-0-329-26129-0

Byers, Anne. Beyond slavery: African Americans from emancipation to today, ISBN  978-0-7660-7547-4

Reynolds, Jason. Stamped: Racism, antiracism, and you, (YA) ISBN 978-1-71373-274-7

**Other books of note about race: 

Aronson, Marc. Race: a history beyond black and white, ISBN 978-0-689-86554-1

Fleming, Crystal Marie. Rise up!: how you can join the fight against white supremacy, 978-1-25022-638-9

Edited by Hudson, Wade and Cheryl Willis Hudson. The talk : conversations about race, love & truth, ISBN 978-0-593-12162-7