Citizen: An American Lyric

This work defies classification. It isn't prose poetry (though I understand why it's put in that category) so much as an impressionistic collage of racist incidents and meditations on identity and the body (both the physical body and the cultural "body"). It could even be called a meta-analysis, not in the sense of study of studies, as the word is usually used, but as an analysis that goes beyond the normal gathering of information. Maybe a meta-synthesis. In any case, it's a monumental work. I can't really talk about "liking" this book. In parts it was abstract in a way that lost me. However, I have a huge respect for it. It covers so much ground about racial division, prejudice, the body, identity, and the ways we harm one another. Though there are many choice moments that made me groan or shrink or nod my head, the most striking one for me was this: because white men can't police their imagination black men are dying Despite the gravity of what it handles, this book is a fairly fast read. The formatting is generous and artful in its use of white space and complementary works of art (a touch that I love). Don't let the idea of a book-length or long poem intimidate you. Citizen is a book that begs to be read multiple times with groups of people. Any high school teachers or professors out there should definitely read it and consider using it in classes.

I am reviewing this book specifically with attention to reading in my class called Citizen and Self which is about how we can live better among each other, increase participation in democratic life, and learn how to collaboratively solve problems. I read it with mostly first year college students in Kentucky. Almost all of my students are white. While some students had a hard time with the ideas - and some with the poetry, overall I thought it worked well as long as I reminded them that the book is not directed "at" them but is rather an account of someone's experience and a way to understand the life and challenges that people face in our country. I still had some students who were defensive about the book, or thought that she was being "too sensitive" but by and large the students found it interesting, helpful at seeing a different perspective and helpful in understanding the experiences of African American people in the United States. Most of them said something like, "I had no idea that this was so hard" or "that racism is still so prevalent" or that "the small things every day can be so difficult and become so big and difficult." It was certainly a challenge for them to read but I think overall was helpful. Some of the students were even able to engage with the prose/poems from a literary perspective, talking about the trajectory of the book/poems and the literary devices that she used to draw us in and help the reader see things in a different way. Teaching about race is difficult, but for college students most of whom have never had any exposure to complex ideas about race or racism, short of the basic "you shouldn't treat people of another race badly" this book was a good step in engaging them in the complex and difficult questions of race, justice, fairness, and struggle in the U.S. and also helpful in allowing them to get some practice in reading something with a non-traditional form.

Citizen: An American Lyric is an exceptional and thought-provoking book that delves into the complexities of race, identity, and belonging in America. The author's lyrical and poetic writing style captures the essence of the experiences faced by Black individuals in a society plagued by systemic racism. Through a collection of vignettes, prose, and poetry, the book explores themes of microaggressions, social injustice, and the impact of racism on everyday life. The raw and honest portrayal of these experiences evokes a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to empathy and reflection. Citizen is a vital read that challenges readers to confront their own biases and engage in conversations about race and equality. It serves as a powerful tool for fostering understanding and empathy, making it a must-read for anyone interested in social justice and the pursuit of a more inclusive society.

Citizen:. An American Lyric is a powerful book of poetry. It describes the discrimination of black and brown people around the world in raw angry images. The poet also speaks about how this physically affects her. The poetry then becomes more lyrical showing an endless grief çoming up as a sigh. The poetry is written in a prose format with photos of various art pieces and places. It is a book which has shifted my image of the world. Jillian James

“Citizen – An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine is a book which can be applied to anywhere in any country. It is on racism and according to me racism is not just deep-rooted in The United States of America. It is prevalent all over the world and that is not something to be proud of for anyone. I chanced on this book on Salon.com. It was heavily recommended by one writer whose name I forget. All said and done, I am only too glad that I picked it up and cannot stop talking about it. “Citizen” is the perfect book of our times and sadly represents the world that we live in. It is an age of race differentiation, colour differentiation and violence and maybe it never stopped. Maybe it never ended anywhere. This book makes you think in ways you didn’t think it was possible to do. It ruffles your feathers and rightly so. It is needed at this juncture. I think it is also the fact that we tend to ignore so many things because we don’t want to confront. I think it is time to confront. Gone are the days of being silent. I think that maybe “Citizen” can somewhere down the line help us understand why things are the way they are and at the same time, there is so much introspection that we need to do as well. And like I said before, the book is not all American, though it seems like that from the title. It can speak to anyone and it does. When Rankine speaks of what Serena Williams had to go through because of her colour, she is speaking to a wider audience and we need more voices such as these. She speaks of shame of colour, of rage, of loneliness, and what it means to be discriminated against. “Citizen” is a read that will take its own time to sink in. You cannot rush through it. It is the kind of read that stays with you and makes you think about the world we live in. The writing is stunning and strong and forces you told contemplate on issues you would have turned a blind eye to. The writing also sort of comes across as an out-of-body experience for Rankine. To distance herself from all of this and write, and then to merge her experiences. I finished this book with a heavy heart. The book can be best summed-up in one line as written by Rankine: “I don’t know how to end what doesn’t have an ending.” Read it. You will not regret it. P.S: This time around was my second read of the book. The first time was in 2015. Sadly, nothing has changed.

Best work of poetry and prose (and prose poetry) on race I've read in a long time. Very innovative and revealing.

A rather different way of saying the things that need to be said, containing a mixed bag of poetry, prose, vignettes, etc., detailing what it’s like to be perpetually on the receiving end of racism, from micro-agressions to extremely overt racism. Maybe, instead of forcing children to read Shakespeare and Dickens at school, we should be encouraging them to read books like this and encouraging them to engage in constructive dialogue with each other about the issues raised and the experiences of those on the receiving end of racism and other bigotry. Racist is not something people are born, it’s something people are taught, and its very clearly up to schools and educators to start stepping up and making much more effort with the young minds in their care. In the UK “Citizenship” and “Relationship” education is not on the curriculum until after 11 years of age: this is far, far too late. How our societies are peopled — our citizens — and how we relate to those other citizens within our societies should be permanently on the curriculum from the very first day of school, not be left in the hands of young people’s peers, bad television, bad websites, and ignorant parents who read nothing but vile, tabloid drivel. A child who has been nurtured badly up to the age of 11 is highly unlikely to respond to positive nuturing by over-worked, underpaid, stressed-out teachers after the age of 11.

Claudia Rankine è una grande autrice. Avevo già apprezzato il suo originalissimo Don't Let Me Be Lonley, e se possibile questo suo nuovo Citizen è anche meglio: scritto per noi, per questi nostri giorni, in una lingua che ti abbraccia e al contempo ti lascia sveglia e vigile.