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Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—And How You Can, Too
From the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of So You Want to Talk About Race and Mediocre, an eye-opening and galvanizing look at the current state of anti-racist activism across America.
In the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want To Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo offered a vital guide for how to talk about important issues of race and racism in society. In Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America, she discussed the ways in which white male supremacy has had an impact on our systems, our culture, and our lives throughout American history. But now that we better understand these systems of oppression, the question is this: What can we do about them?
With Be A Revolution: How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too, Oluo aims to show how people across America are working to create real positive change in our structures. Looking at many of our most powerful systems—like education, media, labor, health, housing, policing, and more—she highlights what people are doing to create change for intersectional racial equity. She also illustrates various ways in which the reader can find entryways into change in these same areas, or can bring some of this important work being done elsewhere to where they live.
This book aims to not only be educational, but to inspire action and change. Oluo wishes to take our conversations on race and racism out of a place of pure pain and trauma, and into a place of loving action. Be A Revolution is both an urgent chronicle of this important moment in history, as well as an inspiring and restorative call for action..
In the #1 New York Times bestseller So You Want To Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo offered a vital guide for how to talk about important issues of race and racism in society. In Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America, she discussed the ways in which white male supremacy has had an impact on our systems, our culture, and our lives throughout American history. But now that we better understand these systems of oppression, the question is this: What can we do about them?
With Be A Revolution: How Everyday People are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too, Oluo aims to show how people across America are working to create real positive change in our structures. Looking at many of our most powerful systems—like education, media, labor, health, housing, policing, and more—she highlights what people are doing to create change for intersectional racial equity. She also illustrates various ways in which the reader can find entryways into change in these same areas, or can bring some of this important work being done elsewhere to where they live.
This book aims to not only be educational, but to inspire action and change. Oluo wishes to take our conversations on race and racism out of a place of pure pain and trauma, and into a place of loving action. Be A Revolution is both an urgent chronicle of this important moment in history, as well as an inspiring and restorative call for action..
256 pages, ebook
First published January 30, 2024
395 people are currently reading
7,712 people want to read
About the author
Ijeoma Oluo
22Ìýbooks2,626Ìýfollowers Ijeoma Oluo is a Seattle-based writer, speaker, and Internet Yeller. She’s the author of the New York Times Best-Seller So You Want to Talk about Race, published in January by Seal Press. Named one of the The Root’s 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2017, one of the Most Influential People in Seattle by Seattle Magazine, one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Seattle by Seattle Met, and winner of the of the 2018 Feminist Humanist Award by the American Humanist Society, Oluo’s work focuses primarily on issues of race and identity, feminism, social and mental health, social justice, the arts, and personal essay. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, NBC News, Elle Magazine, TIME, The Stranger, and the Guardian, among other outlets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
April 22, 2024
sounds like a plan!
this is a super accessible and effective introduction to the work of abolition, which rocks. what's not to like about burning it all down and starting over in a way that actually benefits people and not money or capitalism or business or other synonyms.
in other words, the "How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World" part was great.
i will say i was slightly disappointed because i don't think it accomplishes the "How You Can, Too" in a comprehensive or effective way. and that's the call to action of the whole thing.
but the rest of this was impressive and enlightening. and that's enough for me!
bottom line: abolition 101, in a non-intimidating way!
this is a super accessible and effective introduction to the work of abolition, which rocks. what's not to like about burning it all down and starting over in a way that actually benefits people and not money or capitalism or business or other synonyms.
in other words, the "How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World" part was great.
i will say i was slightly disappointed because i don't think it accomplishes the "How You Can, Too" in a comprehensive or effective way. and that's the call to action of the whole thing.
but the rest of this was impressive and enlightening. and that's enough for me!
bottom line: abolition 101, in a non-intimidating way!
Shelved as 'not-my-cup-of-tea'
May 13, 2024So I won't be reading this book at all or ever. Learned on Twitter/X that the author of this book published several, inaccurate profiles without the consent of the people profiled within. Several featured profilees are trying to get the book pulled from pub and are doing so despite intimidation from the author and publisher.
Learned about it per Alice Wong's tweet, which I'm linking here:
When you are profiling people of multiple identities, it is very important to be sensitive to the backgrounds of those individuals. That can not only be hurtful to those in the intersecting communities but also undermine any credibility you have when it comes to talking about race, disability, and other sensitive topics.
For this reason, I will not be supporting this book.
Learned about it per Alice Wong's tweet, which I'm linking here:
When you are profiling people of multiple identities, it is very important to be sensitive to the backgrounds of those individuals. That can not only be hurtful to those in the intersecting communities but also undermine any credibility you have when it comes to talking about race, disability, and other sensitive topics.
For this reason, I will not be supporting this book.
May 11, 2024
HarperOne needs to pull this book. The author failed to secure informed consent and to accurately represent the people she was writing about. There are many violations and misrepresentations of the Black, Indigenous disabled people.
December 24, 2024
UPDATE: Saw that the author did not receive consent from some of the folks in the book. As Talila A. Lewis shared: "me+other Black/Indig disabled folk were (mis)featured in "Be A Revolution" by Ijeoma Oluo wo consent/notice. Oluo has also bullied+doxed me on top of this offensive inaccurate portrayal." This is not okay, at all!!!
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okay i've been reading fire books this year but THIS book is the one i'd recommend to everyone, and i think is now in my top 10 books!! i have never read a book so informative, compelling, & interesting to read. this book, written by ijeoma oluo, is a discussion on how americans can (& have been) create positive changes in all the systems that exist. she also explains in-depth on how every single system we know is actually rooted in white supremacy & the patriarchy. it SOUNDS abstract but the way she explains it makes so, so much sense & is extremely eye-opening. each new chapter she describes a system (education, labor, race, incarceration, gender justice, disability, environment, & art/culture), how that system in america was founded in white supremacy/the patriarchy, how that affects BIPOC to this day on a large scale, & how we can abolish those systems for better. she also includes 3-6 interviews per chapter of people within those areas who have been putting in so much work & have done such amazing things.
for example, darnesha weary opened a Black-owned coffee shop in seattle in 2021. but this isn't just any normal coffee shop—this coffee shop is a community and cultural center that offers FREE professional mental health counseling three days a week, a podcast studio for young Black girls, a weekly discussion group for young Black women to be themselves without any judgment, an after-school program for all kids to just be (when their home life may not be the most comfortable), a weekly marketplace for Black-owned businesses and artists to interact and share their experiences/products, AND a social-justice-centered internship program. and this book has TONS more stories of such amazing individuals who simply do so much in order to be there for their community and to spread love.
this book made me think about how withdrawn i've been from community & how i have become apathetic towards a lot of things. since i picked up this book, i've been talking to my partner everyday about my thoughts and feelings, which i don't normally do. i learned so much about various movements & realized how privileged i’ve been…like i've been so privileged to the point where i don't even care about my local community, about engaging in my neighborhood, or about putting in any time at ALL to do one thing for someone else. this book really inspires me to be more involved in my community or in movements, to learn more and more about abolition & systemic oppression, and to talk about this with those around me. i seriously have been too selfish for too long. i kept viewing life as my own comfort and happiness, but i want to change that & instead, view life as the opportunity to interact with those around me, to support others & to advocate for justice!! which means being more revolutionary & working on my own personal capitalistic, ableist, & racist preconceptions & thoughts.
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okay i've been reading fire books this year but THIS book is the one i'd recommend to everyone, and i think is now in my top 10 books!! i have never read a book so informative, compelling, & interesting to read. this book, written by ijeoma oluo, is a discussion on how americans can (& have been) create positive changes in all the systems that exist. she also explains in-depth on how every single system we know is actually rooted in white supremacy & the patriarchy. it SOUNDS abstract but the way she explains it makes so, so much sense & is extremely eye-opening. each new chapter she describes a system (education, labor, race, incarceration, gender justice, disability, environment, & art/culture), how that system in america was founded in white supremacy/the patriarchy, how that affects BIPOC to this day on a large scale, & how we can abolish those systems for better. she also includes 3-6 interviews per chapter of people within those areas who have been putting in so much work & have done such amazing things.
for example, darnesha weary opened a Black-owned coffee shop in seattle in 2021. but this isn't just any normal coffee shop—this coffee shop is a community and cultural center that offers FREE professional mental health counseling three days a week, a podcast studio for young Black girls, a weekly discussion group for young Black women to be themselves without any judgment, an after-school program for all kids to just be (when their home life may not be the most comfortable), a weekly marketplace for Black-owned businesses and artists to interact and share their experiences/products, AND a social-justice-centered internship program. and this book has TONS more stories of such amazing individuals who simply do so much in order to be there for their community and to spread love.
this book made me think about how withdrawn i've been from community & how i have become apathetic towards a lot of things. since i picked up this book, i've been talking to my partner everyday about my thoughts and feelings, which i don't normally do. i learned so much about various movements & realized how privileged i’ve been…like i've been so privileged to the point where i don't even care about my local community, about engaging in my neighborhood, or about putting in any time at ALL to do one thing for someone else. this book really inspires me to be more involved in my community or in movements, to learn more and more about abolition & systemic oppression, and to talk about this with those around me. i seriously have been too selfish for too long. i kept viewing life as my own comfort and happiness, but i want to change that & instead, view life as the opportunity to interact with those around me, to support others & to advocate for justice!! which means being more revolutionary & working on my own personal capitalistic, ableist, & racist preconceptions & thoughts.
Read
January 2, 2025Full disclosure: I was scanning other reviews before writing my review and came across one that referenced this tweet (https://x.com/SFdirewolf/status/1788373325380739408) about one of the book interviewee's concerns about how they were portrayed in the book/the process. I did some more digging and also found the author's response/receipts (https://ijeomaoluo.substack.com/p/how-the-f-did-we-get-here) and also dug around on Twitter some more. I have been following this author since hearing her story on The Moth about a decade ago, and am probably biased in her favour and I'm left unsure of what to do with this collection of information. So I'm not putting a star rating and below is a short review based on my experience of reading the book.
After reading Mediocre, I was left feeling a bit hopeless and stuck about what to do about it and I was really hoping Be A Revolution would bring more hope in balance and it totally did. This is a book I want to listen to on an annual basis, in November, when I am starting to set my intentions for the new year. There are so many different people and examples of ways to contribute to positive change. While it seemed as though a disproportionate amount of the people featured were in the Seattle area, what that suggested to me is the almost infinite breadth of experiences and methods out there to activate for change. It made me want to take the time to find similar examples close to home so that I can choose new places and ways to spend my time, money and energy.
After reading Mediocre, I was left feeling a bit hopeless and stuck about what to do about it and I was really hoping Be A Revolution would bring more hope in balance and it totally did. This is a book I want to listen to on an annual basis, in November, when I am starting to set my intentions for the new year. There are so many different people and examples of ways to contribute to positive change. While it seemed as though a disproportionate amount of the people featured were in the Seattle area, what that suggested to me is the almost infinite breadth of experiences and methods out there to activate for change. It made me want to take the time to find similar examples close to home so that I can choose new places and ways to spend my time, money and energy.
February 28, 2024
Oooh this was a good one. As always, Ijeoma Oluo's writing is so engaging and thoughtful that, despite the tough topics, it never felt like a chore to read. The tone of this book is overwhelmingly hopeful as it focuses on the work people are currently doing in their communities across the country and focuses on concrete steps readers can take towards their own activist journeys. I loved how it was structured around different topics, like disability justice, reproductive rights, labor rights, environmental justice, and more. It made it really readable, and each section helped underscore the importance (and inevitability) of intersectionality within each topic. Because of its empowering and optimistic nature, I think this is the perfect book to pick up after reading something like Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste," or Nikole Hannah Jones' "The 1619 Project," for when you're ready to stop reeling from the injustices of the world and want to start doing something to help fight those injustices in your own community.
February 23, 2024
Ìý Ìý ÌýBe A RevolutionÌýbasically treats revolutionary theory like one big PowerPoint presentation. Author Ijeoma Oluo spends a tremendous amount of time speaking about intersectionality, the patriarchy, how the concerns of marginalized groupsÌýoverlap, America's history of racial violence and how systems of oppression are white supremacist in nature. There is not much here that wasn't more effectively conveyed inÌýSo You Want to Talk About Race. It feels like a co-optingÌýof the language of revolution (critiques of capitalism, the police state and far-right extremism) Ìýwith little of the willingness to push the analysis beyond the surface level overview of how a revolutionary movement can actually succeed.Ìý
Ìý Ìý ÌýWhere is the conversation about how movements are undermined by lobbying and corporate influence? How groups like BLM are co-opted and its revolutionary energyÌýis filtered into political campaignsÌýthat muzzle rather than fuel these movements? Why does she ignore the bipartisan nature of our current oppressiveÌýsystem choosing to name "conservative" policies she doesn't like Ìý(like the CRT banning in Florida) while giving a pass to "Cop City" supporting democrats in Atlanta?
Ìý Ìý Ìý There's very little conversation about actual revolutionary actions like general strikes, mass boycotts and putting pressure on the political system. I would refer to this as the Ask and Task. Convey your demands and follow through with actions to pressure the system into change. It may not always succeed, but it is the best approach to achieving the movement's revolutionaryÌýgoals. Her refusal to push the revolutionary discussion past the safe zone of inclusion and intersectionalityÌýundermines her stated desire for change.Ìý
Ìý Ìý ÌýWhere is the conversation about how movements are undermined by lobbying and corporate influence? How groups like BLM are co-opted and its revolutionary energyÌýis filtered into political campaignsÌýthat muzzle rather than fuel these movements? Why does she ignore the bipartisan nature of our current oppressiveÌýsystem choosing to name "conservative" policies she doesn't like Ìý(like the CRT banning in Florida) while giving a pass to "Cop City" supporting democrats in Atlanta?
Ìý Ìý Ìý There's very little conversation about actual revolutionary actions like general strikes, mass boycotts and putting pressure on the political system. I would refer to this as the Ask and Task. Convey your demands and follow through with actions to pressure the system into change. It may not always succeed, but it is the best approach to achieving the movement's revolutionaryÌýgoals. Her refusal to push the revolutionary discussion past the safe zone of inclusion and intersectionalityÌýundermines her stated desire for change.Ìý
January 27, 2024
5 stars
As an ongoing, avid fan of Oluo's, I was thrilled to read this most recent effort, and my incoming high expectations were exceeded.
Oluo is always mindful of the topic and the audience, and I appreciate the constant attention to not only prime information but to how it might (or WILL) be received by different groups and individuals. For me, as a professor and a practitioner in DEIA and ongoing scholarship, there's an added benefit to this approach that makes me more mindful and challenges what I often don't realize are weaker plans on my end. The point is always to learn and to act but mindfully, and I can't get enough of this approach.
While the featured aspect of this title - 'Be a Revolution' - is an obvious call to action, what's more gripping than thinking about how I'm going to act is having access to how many, many others have made strides in their own ways (see the post-colon part of this title). I LOVED learning about how people addressed difficult experiences, ongoing inequities, and unexpected barriers (like pandemics hitting right when their restaurants are scheduled to open). It's easy to give people info and tell them to act, but since one of the most challenging aspects of this work is feeling disheartened by slow progress/seemingly insurmountable institutional barriers/gross people, this is the uplift we all need. The tough stuff is here, too, but there's so much more than that.
I was so into this that I broke a personal rule and - when forced to leave environments in which I could read by sight - I listened to parts of this with an AI narrator. You know what I learned? That bot can't pronounce 'BIPOC.' I'd say I'm surprised, but... Despite the bot's Kareny tendencies, my willingness to absorb in this format reveals how hooked I became. As noted, I loved the personal stories, but the sections on disability and education were also huge standouts for me.
Thanks to Ijeoma Oluo for continuing to do difficult and exhausting work, at times at her own (and her family's) peril. We are listening and eagerly anticipating all future works.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperOne for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
As an ongoing, avid fan of Oluo's, I was thrilled to read this most recent effort, and my incoming high expectations were exceeded.
Oluo is always mindful of the topic and the audience, and I appreciate the constant attention to not only prime information but to how it might (or WILL) be received by different groups and individuals. For me, as a professor and a practitioner in DEIA and ongoing scholarship, there's an added benefit to this approach that makes me more mindful and challenges what I often don't realize are weaker plans on my end. The point is always to learn and to act but mindfully, and I can't get enough of this approach.
While the featured aspect of this title - 'Be a Revolution' - is an obvious call to action, what's more gripping than thinking about how I'm going to act is having access to how many, many others have made strides in their own ways (see the post-colon part of this title). I LOVED learning about how people addressed difficult experiences, ongoing inequities, and unexpected barriers (like pandemics hitting right when their restaurants are scheduled to open). It's easy to give people info and tell them to act, but since one of the most challenging aspects of this work is feeling disheartened by slow progress/seemingly insurmountable institutional barriers/gross people, this is the uplift we all need. The tough stuff is here, too, but there's so much more than that.
I was so into this that I broke a personal rule and - when forced to leave environments in which I could read by sight - I listened to parts of this with an AI narrator. You know what I learned? That bot can't pronounce 'BIPOC.' I'd say I'm surprised, but... Despite the bot's Kareny tendencies, my willingness to absorb in this format reveals how hooked I became. As noted, I loved the personal stories, but the sections on disability and education were also huge standouts for me.
Thanks to Ijeoma Oluo for continuing to do difficult and exhausting work, at times at her own (and her family's) peril. We are listening and eagerly anticipating all future works.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperOne for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
March 16, 2024
"I've learned that revolution looks a lot like love"
April 16, 2024
This was excellent and I can't recommend it enough, especially the audiobook read by the author. I've read all of Ijeoma's work and just like her previous two books this one is so comprehensive and informative yet so accessible. It is great for intro to nonfiction readers or regular nonfiction readers. If you have been frustrated with how to be more involved in social justice work and asking yourself "what do I do?" then this is a great book to read. Each chapter has a little background on the issue/topic, then interviews with people who are currently doing the work, and then a summary of what you can do. I really appreciated how each chapter covered a topic, while it is a lot of information you could easily just read one chapter as you have time. Just overall really appreciate how accessible this book is and can't recommend it enough!
Read
December 6, 2024it's a good thing i read reviews before finishing books sometimes. otherwise i wouldn't have seen that this black+white mixed ciswoman "author" actually stole direct quotes, whole anecdotes, and even misrepresented interviews she had with many black/indigenous, disabled, and/or lgbt+ people. that explains why she props up these issues without offering a solution—she's a part of the problem. oluo also profiled everyone without their consent. there is a detailing most things and just...yikes.
August 15, 2024
I loved this book! I really enjoyed the way each chapter was formatted, starting with observations by the author, followed by an interview by a notable activist, and ending with ways to Be a Revolution. I also liked all the different topics the author chose to write about.
November 9, 2023
"Be A Revolution" by Ijeoma Oluo provides timely wisdom and guidance amidst the distressing events currently happening in our world. With ongoing genocide, chaos in places like Gaza, the Republic of the Congo, and Sudan, the need for collective action and empowerment feels more crucial than ever. Oluo's book presents a vital roadmap for readers grappling with the current state of social upheaval and uncertainty.
Oluo expands on her previous groundbreaking books, "So You Want To Talk About Race" and "Mediocre," to guide us into taking action against systemic oppression. "Be A Revolution" is a rallying call, urging us to move beyond conversations and into actionable steps toward genuine societal change. It's not just about recognizing the oppressive structures; it's about actively participating in their dismantling.
Oluo's brilliance lies in her recognition that each of us holds a unique role in the pursuit of collective liberation. She emphasizes that our diverse skill sets, privileges, and abilities grant us different entry points for meaningful change. Through the narratives of community organizers and advocates for marginalized populations, she provides a blueprint for diverse activism, inspiring readers to recognize our individual and collective potential to effect change within our communities.
One of the most resonant aspects of Oluo's upcoming release is her unflinching honesty about our current reality. She paints a vivid picture of the world, confronting the 'worst-case scenario,' urging us to confront our fears and anxieties as a prerequisite for meaningful action. Her book serves as a powerful reminder that, in the face of overwhelming challenges, action rooted in honesty and courage becomes paramount.
"Be A Revolution" is not merely a call to action; it's a source of hope and direction as well. Oluo shifts the narrative from a space of pain and trauma to one of collective empowerment and action. This is a book we need now more than ever. She underscores the importance of community, offering insight into how individuals, with varied backgrounds and strengths, can come together for the greater good. Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!
Oluo expands on her previous groundbreaking books, "So You Want To Talk About Race" and "Mediocre," to guide us into taking action against systemic oppression. "Be A Revolution" is a rallying call, urging us to move beyond conversations and into actionable steps toward genuine societal change. It's not just about recognizing the oppressive structures; it's about actively participating in their dismantling.
Oluo's brilliance lies in her recognition that each of us holds a unique role in the pursuit of collective liberation. She emphasizes that our diverse skill sets, privileges, and abilities grant us different entry points for meaningful change. Through the narratives of community organizers and advocates for marginalized populations, she provides a blueprint for diverse activism, inspiring readers to recognize our individual and collective potential to effect change within our communities.
One of the most resonant aspects of Oluo's upcoming release is her unflinching honesty about our current reality. She paints a vivid picture of the world, confronting the 'worst-case scenario,' urging us to confront our fears and anxieties as a prerequisite for meaningful action. Her book serves as a powerful reminder that, in the face of overwhelming challenges, action rooted in honesty and courage becomes paramount.
"Be A Revolution" is not merely a call to action; it's a source of hope and direction as well. Oluo shifts the narrative from a space of pain and trauma to one of collective empowerment and action. This is a book we need now more than ever. She underscores the importance of community, offering insight into how individuals, with varied backgrounds and strengths, can come together for the greater good. Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!
March 1, 2024
This was such a refreshing and encouraging read. Hearing about the unique ways people show up to movement work was really interesting to learn about; there is such a breadth of scope that isn't often highlighted in main stream media conversations about anti-racism and related work. The format of the book is also great - alternating between Oluo's reflections & encouragements and interviews with various movement workers makes this a very approachable and easy read. It equips without overloading, and encourages with creative possibility.
Each chapter has a section on ways for you to step into the work, and there is a lengthy resources section in the back. The recommendations for what you could do/how you could get involved are a bit vague, since they need to appeal to a large audience, but I think if you're willing to spend a little time thinking critically about the ideas presented, look through the resource list, and do some googling for your specific context you'll find engaging and meaningful ways to connect.
As always with Oluo, highly recommend.
Each chapter has a section on ways for you to step into the work, and there is a lengthy resources section in the back. The recommendations for what you could do/how you could get involved are a bit vague, since they need to appeal to a large audience, but I think if you're willing to spend a little time thinking critically about the ideas presented, look through the resource list, and do some googling for your specific context you'll find engaging and meaningful ways to connect.
As always with Oluo, highly recommend.
May 21, 2024
As with all of this author's books, this was accessible, engaging, and well-researched. I really appreciated the way the book was laid out, and the various interviews and anecdotes were well chosen. I also liked that each section ends with ways the reader can support in each of the areas, though I did think that the "how you can do it too" aspect of the book was less developed than the rest.
Want to read
February 18, 2025Will most likely set this book aside based on criticism of the author misrepresenting the individuals featured in this book.
February 20, 2024
Amazing book. Well written and easy to read, while challenging me on every page to look for ways in which my privilege has protected me from so much bias in our society. I particularly appreciated the interviews with movement workers who share their stories of what they faced that inspired or compelled them to become activists. Their stories are inspiring and eye opening. I also appreciated the call at the end of each chapter to Be a Revolution, ways in which the reader can contribute to the cause of justice from wherever they are. Oluo is raising the call for more people to activate themselves to create justice. Read this book and then take action.
January 4, 2024
Be a Revolution should be required reading. Ijeoma Oluo uses her own insight as well as interviews to show how race (and racism) intersect with labor, gender, disability, education, etc. I really appreciate the recap at the end of each chapter as well as ways people can be more aware/take steps to get involved.
February 25, 2024
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper One for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.. I have found the author's other books thought-provoking and they provided new and interesting perspectives around racism and culture. This new book is a wonderful read filled with the author's experiences and how we can make a difference in our world as seen through the many activist's that are profiled in the book. The book is divided into chapters such as abolition, gender justice, race and labor, race and environment, race and education, and race and the arts. For me, I learned the most about disability justice which has kept me thinking in a new perspective. It then wraps it all up with how one can be an activist by being aware of where one is at through the ideas of ability and privilege, mental health and well-being and how to start. Not only does it share how others are doing their activism, it gives a roadmap of how to start in so many different ways. There is also a great resources chapter that lists all the organizations of the people profiled making it easier to get started. I loved this book and the stories of those doing the work inspired me.
February 24, 2024
4.75â� on 🎧
Ijeoma Oluo has written 3 major nonfiction works and I think this one is my favorite. Moving from So You Want to Talk About Race and Mediocre which focuses so much on the inequitable state of our world today, Ijeoma uses this book to highlight the people actively creating change throughout the world to address these problems and make the future a better place.
Ijeoma highlights many of my favorite nonfiction authors such as Alice Wong and Ajay Barber, expert movement organizers and a lot of everyday people who have found ways to bring people together to support a cause simply because they cared. If you're feeling upset thinking next presidential election and feel like all our current options are no good, I think this book will give you new ways to think about actions you can take to help make the future look a bit better regardless of who is president. A must read.
Ijeoma Oluo has written 3 major nonfiction works and I think this one is my favorite. Moving from So You Want to Talk About Race and Mediocre which focuses so much on the inequitable state of our world today, Ijeoma uses this book to highlight the people actively creating change throughout the world to address these problems and make the future a better place.
Ijeoma highlights many of my favorite nonfiction authors such as Alice Wong and Ajay Barber, expert movement organizers and a lot of everyday people who have found ways to bring people together to support a cause simply because they cared. If you're feeling upset thinking next presidential election and feel like all our current options are no good, I think this book will give you new ways to think about actions you can take to help make the future look a bit better regardless of who is president. A must read.
May 11, 2024
I really liked the format of these vignettes - Oluo presents each part with an introduction, sometimes a personal anecdote, an overview of the issue, and then an interview or two with someone in that field, or doing work to address the issue, then a list of ways to get involved - direct, actionable steps. Some are more feasible than others (for example, things like “support land back� felt a little harder to take immediate action on vs another suggestion she has for websites that connect you directly w businesses owned by women, POC, etc.)
Some chapters felt a little too zoomed out, but that is maybe the point, because other chapters covered things I haven’t read much into - like disability justice, the arts as a revolution, etc. - and could perhaps provide just an introduction into these areas.
Also very diverse people were interviewed so cool to hear from so many different folks doing super varied work!
Some chapters felt a little too zoomed out, but that is maybe the point, because other chapters covered things I haven’t read much into - like disability justice, the arts as a revolution, etc. - and could perhaps provide just an introduction into these areas.
Also very diverse people were interviewed so cool to hear from so many different folks doing super varied work!
February 25, 2024
Such an amazing book. All about community and the people doing the one the ground work who understand the systems and the way oppression is pressing down on us. I very highly recommend. I learned a lot and continue to gather as much knowledge as I can from BIPOC authors, as well as those in the LGBTQIA+ community and any other person experiencing disadvantage in society. I want to highlight the section on disability and the way that intersects with other identities and how Ijeoma so gracefully writes about. Grateful for her and all the contributors work towards social justice and a more inclusive and equitable world to live in. Thank you.
April 11, 2025
I bought this audio book during Balck History Month, hoping it would teach me something about community organizing - and it did. The book also touches heavily on the topics of resistence and resilience. At times, the content is almost too much to bear - but of course, this is no fault of the autor, but rather shows what systemic racism does. In a nutshell: „Where do I start? Give money, if you have it, and give time if you don‘t.�
I love the way the author narrates this audio book - it‘s so powerful to hear how Ijeoma Oluo presents her work. Honestly, her voice and her talent is so great, she could probably read a MS DOS manual and it would be a hit.
I love the way the author narrates this audio book - it‘s so powerful to hear how Ijeoma Oluo presents her work. Honestly, her voice and her talent is so great, she could probably read a MS DOS manual and it would be a hit.
August 12, 2024
A couple of chapters in and I finally settled into the rhythm of this book. How to actively support causes that make real change - and question what you think you know about movements.
August 15, 2024
the breadth of this book!!! A very engaging collection of anecdotes and actions. From prison abolition to environmental justice - I learned a lot!! Here's a cool resource from the chapter on race, labor, and business: intentionalist.com
February 13, 2024
I learned a lot from this book. I confess it was a very slow read for me so I switched from digital to audio half way through. Ijeoma always challenges me to think differently and more radically.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperOne for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperOne for the ARC!
December 24, 2023
BE A REVOLUTION is the third book by Ijeoma Oluo that I’ve read and I continue to learn so much from her writings. I greatly appreciate how inclusive Oluo’s work is regarding justice. Intersectionality is the best way forward because everything is connected: race, gender, sexuality, disability, and so on.
Oluo covers topics from labor to education, gender and the arts. The environmental justice section had the greatest impact on me, and Oluo provides important interviews and resources on a more inclusive approach to environmental justice. Environmental work tends to be white-centered, but as Oluo and Indigenous movement worker Matt Remle state, white people need to allow others to lead and to take a supportive role when it comes to environmental change.
I am thankful for Oluo’s work and writings and for introducing me to environmental justice organizations that I will support.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how they can be a revolution.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.
Oluo covers topics from labor to education, gender and the arts. The environmental justice section had the greatest impact on me, and Oluo provides important interviews and resources on a more inclusive approach to environmental justice. Environmental work tends to be white-centered, but as Oluo and Indigenous movement worker Matt Remle state, white people need to allow others to lead and to take a supportive role when it comes to environmental change.
I am thankful for Oluo’s work and writings and for introducing me to environmental justice organizations that I will support.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how they can be a revolution.
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.
July 15, 2024
So thankful for this book. I needed some hope and light. If it's got Ijeoma's name on it, I'm gonna read it.
Read
December 16, 2024okay so i’m actually going to leave this one unrated due to the various issues currently surrounding it & the BIPOC activists that have come forward about the author & publisher’s errors in handling & creating this book. I did not know much about it until I was already reading it.
it’s unfortunate given I found there is also a lot of good in this book, it made me feel hopeful to hear about so many organizers doing important work for their communities in so many inspiring ways. I for sure would have assumed this book was a consensual, collaborative effort with the author for all of those interviewed & involved.
ultimately if the author misled these activists & they did not consent to being profiled in the ways they were, it’s difficult for me to support this one, even being a big fan of Oluo’s work for many years now. none of that really matters if you harm the communities you’re trying to boost+protect, regardless of intent.
I hope the people hurt by all of this find resolve & justice.
it’s unfortunate given I found there is also a lot of good in this book, it made me feel hopeful to hear about so many organizers doing important work for their communities in so many inspiring ways. I for sure would have assumed this book was a consensual, collaborative effort with the author for all of those interviewed & involved.
ultimately if the author misled these activists & they did not consent to being profiled in the ways they were, it’s difficult for me to support this one, even being a big fan of Oluo’s work for many years now. none of that really matters if you harm the communities you’re trying to boost+protect, regardless of intent.
I hope the people hurt by all of this find resolve & justice.
April 2, 2024
This is a book not to rush through. It is informative, and intimidating, all with the best of intentions. I stopped reading numerous times to simply think about the information I was receiving.
As an older straight white male whose knowledge of current nomenclature is behind the times, I searched definitions to get up to speed. As someone who has charged into many political battles, I was stopped dead reflecting on my younger foolishness. I think the whole purpose of this book isn't to propose a solution for everything, but to give multiple examples of how to get involved in a meaningful way that enhances rather than interferes with the work already being done. It's not particularly easy to have a multiracial impact in a rural white majority community, but it did offer windows into opportunities, especially when we consider who to elect.
When national decisions disagree with your own, there is always your local community to make connections and provide support, in both the exchange of resources and ideas. Ultimately that is what we build upon, not top-down savior solutions. Whether you identify as white or BIPOC, this is a book that has many ideas we can all admire and use.
As an older straight white male whose knowledge of current nomenclature is behind the times, I searched definitions to get up to speed. As someone who has charged into many political battles, I was stopped dead reflecting on my younger foolishness. I think the whole purpose of this book isn't to propose a solution for everything, but to give multiple examples of how to get involved in a meaningful way that enhances rather than interferes with the work already being done. It's not particularly easy to have a multiracial impact in a rural white majority community, but it did offer windows into opportunities, especially when we consider who to elect.
When national decisions disagree with your own, there is always your local community to make connections and provide support, in both the exchange of resources and ideas. Ultimately that is what we build upon, not top-down savior solutions. Whether you identify as white or BIPOC, this is a book that has many ideas we can all admire and use.
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