American History – Page 3

The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein

November 6, 2018 RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 331
Quick Review Race is a complicated issue in the United States. The Color of Law goes a long way to explaining some of the intricacies. I have heard nothing but good things, and I can’t agree more.

*The Color of Law* by Richard Rothstein || Romper

American history is riddled with inequality. Laws have been made and changed and changed and changed. Laws made in the name of “equality” have been instituted, and, yet, inequality thrives even today. Richard Rothstein unravels some of the assbackward, sorry, I mean, laws about equality in The Color of Law.

We have come a long way… ish. There is still so far to go. Discrimination doesn’t necessarily look the way it did 100 years ago or even 50 years ago, but it is still rampant. Rothstein, obviously, in The Color of Law that discrimination is and has been de jure. It may not have begun in the legal system, but the discrimination has been bolstered in the policy decisions of the federal, state, and local governments. These policies have reverberated throughout history and are still felt today.

One example, which spans several chapters in The Color of Law, talks about the housing situation. Housing is a necessity similar to air, nourishment, clothing, and puppy cuddles – wait, that may just be me. Housing discrimination has been in the legal system for… ever. Even when there were fewer or no laws explicitly denying certain people access to housing, there were laws allowing discrimination to continue. I would explain more, but it is a complicated topic to explain in a paragraph.

Basically, laws have kept people of color in particularly unpleasant and unequal circumstances through many routes.

If The Color of Law is your first read on the inequities of the American legal system and society in general towards people of color, you will definitely find many parts to be distressing. I do. Everytime, I delve into these topics, I am disturbed. I believe this is a good thing. Reading books about uncomfortable topics affects the way we see the world. As a white person, it’s very important to be aware of the difficulties people of other skin colors face.

I highly suggest reading The Color of Law. Today, Tuesday, November 6, 2018 is midterm elections. Our votes matter. Our votes matter to the country. Our votes matter to our friends and family. Our votes matter to people of color. When we vote, those votes allow people to make and decide on policies that will affect our lives, the country, and, in a way, the world. When we vote, we vote for people who will make this world a better or worse place. Books like The Color of Law help inform and influence the way we vote.

Buy on Amazon || Buy on Book Depository

Memorable Quotes:
“De facto segregation, we tell ourselves, has various causes.”
“Let bygones be bygones is not a legitimate approach if we wish to call ourselves a constitutional democracy.”

Title: The Color of Law
Author: Richard Rothstein
Publisher: Liveright Publishing Corporation
Copyright: 2017
ISBN: 9781631494536

Books, NonFiction

Good & Mad by Rebecca Traister

November 4, 2018November 4, 2018 RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 320
Quick Review Anger has been subdued, ignored, and vilified in women for-literally-ever. It’s not even something that can be discussed as if it’s in the past. Good & Mad is a look into women’s pent-up anger.

Good & Mad by Rebecca Traister || Red Dress || Heels

Earlier this year, I read Rebecca Traister’s All the Single Ladies (read the review here) and enjoyed it very much. When I found out about her newest book Good & Mad, I was ecstatic to read it.

Anger is a natural emotion. Everyone is angry at some point, in some way, on some level. For men, anger can be an asset. For women, it never is. Anger is something I have struggled with my entire life. I was never encouraged to be angry; instead, calm down became a mantra. Anytime I was angry, it was always played off as irrational and, when I got older, or just PMS. Just so you know, it was never PMS. The even more infuriating thing: it was women telling me these things. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized other women experienced the same thing.

Good & Mad isn’t necessarily ground breaking, but it is important. Now is a time of upheaval. Women are fighting for their rights. Equal rights. A lesser known right: the right to be angry. We deserve to feel angry and express it. Rebecca Traister explores the history of women’s anger with a great of emphasis on American women.

I enjoy reading Traister’s work because she has a sense of humor even when writing about dark topics like feminism, violence, and anger. Good & Mad is no exception. She finds flaws in the American system, but through the criticism, it is obvious she loves this country and wants the best for it. Focusing on competent yet vilified women in politics is one way of showing examples of women’s anger being unacceptable. Women can’t win on either end. If they’re angry, they’re vilified; if they’re too kind, they’re adorable and a push over. Neither way is a woman taken seriously.

One of my favorite points, which I had not thought of much, is the idea that when a woman criticizes a man it is reminiscent of maternal criticism and marks an emotional return to childhood for men. This is a really interesting concept that could be expanded upon.

I highly suggest this read. It’s very interesting!

Buy on Amazon || Buy on Book Depository

Memorable Quotes
“Over the threat of a potential female leader, brutal masculinity won.”
“The aspersions that a woman who is angry is also unstable is cast every day in popular political discourse.”
“Maybe we cry when we’re furious in part because we feel a kind of grief at all the things we want to say or tell that we know we can’t.”
“The close cousin of sadness is laughter”

Title: Good and Mad
Author: Rebecca Traister
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 9781501181795

Books, NonFiction

Impeachment

October 30, 2018October 30, 2018 RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 192
Quick Review I probably recommend everything Jon Meacham touches. Impeachment is a tiny book jam-packed full of interesting facts about a well known word yet unfamiliar process.

Impeachment is a word thrown around often lately in the United States. The political climate makes a tornado look calm right now. In Impeachment by Jon Meacham, Peter Baker, Timothy Naftali, and Jeffrey A. Engel explore the evocative word in the Constitution, history, and looking towards the future.

Impeachment is split into four main parts plus an Introduction and conclusion. Jeffrey A. Engel explains the historical context of impeachment in the first part of the book. The Constitution lays out the foundation of impeachment. The founders or framers were hesitant to give any one person an exorbitant amount of power in order to avoid monarchy issues. George Washington was the perfect choice for the first presidency because he displayed “virtue enough to withstand the lure of tyranny.” He was chosen to set an example for all who followed because honor dictated his every move. He would always act in the best interest of the country, “Washington’s sense of duty eventually overcame his desire for tranquility.” I found this section to be the most intriguing because it is the foundation for all actions following. Jon Meacham examines the impeachment of Andrew Jackson. To oversimplify history: he was impeached because a) he wasn’t Abraham Lincoln b) he didn’t play nice with the other political party. Richard Nixon was covered by Timothy Naftali. I think that can easily be summed up by Watergate. Oh, and he quit to save face. Peter Baker discussed Bill Clinton lying about an affair.

There has never been a president ousted from office. Nixon would have been, absolutely; however he quit before that could happen. There have been three impeachments. Because impeachment basically means trial. Common misconception.

I really enjoyed reading Impeachment. It’s always interesting to read collaborative works. The voices change with the authors, but they all work together to create a cohesive piece. These four men are wonderful writers and historians. I, of course, do enjoy their slant.

In the conclusion, there is a decent amount of discussion about the possibility of Trump being impeached. At the very least, there is acknowledgement of the word being thrown around heavily in the last election and current presidency. There is an under current of the thought that a vote on November 6th is a vote to impeach Trump or not.

Buy on Amazon || Buy on Book Depository

Memorable Quotes
“Those who study history are also destined to repeat it. But we are less surprised.”

Title: Impeachment; An American History
Author: Jon Meacham, Peter Baker, Timothy Naftali, Jeffrey A. Engel
Publisher: Modern Library
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 9781984853783

Books, NonFiction

Code Girls by Liza Mundy

October 23, 2018 RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 448
Quick Review Women are incredible, and they have been forever. During WWII, women were finally able to contribute and show their worth as code breakers. They were so integral to the war effort, for the first time in the United States, they were actively recruited.

I have been wanting to read Code Girls by Liza Mundy for awhile, but I have been busy reading other things. This has finally come to the top of my reading list. Women have often been underrated and underutilized throughout history. During WWII, women were finally able to prove their worth as all the men went off to war.

Code Breaking was not a field of prestige. In the United States, it was hardly a field of study at all. Women were able to participate in code breaking due to the lack of barriers. When WWII broke, there was a scarcity of men. The military looked to the prestigious women’s colleges and school teachers. These women were smart, unattached, and usually had sturdy moral centers. They moved to Washington, overcame numerous obstacles, worked hard, and proved trustworthy. These women proved to the military, men, and the country they could be just as vital to the war effort as the men.

Liza Mundy explores the history, the impact, and the women in Code Girls. I really loved this book. It wasn’t a dry read. The personal stories of the women involved were beautiful. These women were vivacious, smart, funny, and complicated. They yearned for the same things we yearn for today. These women were taking part in making history. They were paving the road for women to have independence, jobs, and money of their own. The Code Girls were the first generation of women to truly have independence in their own right.

Some of my favorite parts about in Code Girls was the innate feminism that comes with women paving the way. The war turned gender roles right around. The men were the ones itching to get married, while the women were turning them down to pursue careers and independence. There was a huge variation in acceptability between the Army and Navy code breaking units. For instance, pregnancy was not tolerated in the Navy even for married women. The Army cared not at all. It’s also interesting to think about the logistical mess that was happening. Housing, feeding, transporting an army of people new to Washington was a mess. I couldn’t help but feel bad for anyone in need of housing.

Code Girls is such an empowering book. If the women during WWII could find success in an openly hostile environment, than we can continue the fight for equality. I highly recommend!!!

Buy on Amazon || Buy on Book Depository

Memorable Quotes
“Women were more than placeholders for the men.”
“All the girls were writing letters, often to lots of soldiers, and many received three or four or five letters a day.”
“”It’s Q for communications; you know, the Navy can’t spell.””

Title: Code Girls
Author: Liza Mundy
Publisher: Hachette Books
Copyright: 2018
ISBN: 9780316352543

Books

White Trash.

May 15, 2018 RaeAnna

Read: Yes
Difficulty: II
Length: III
Genre: NonFiction – History
Quick Review: A deep look into the American class system from the colonial period through the present, and how this system has greatly affected the direction of the country while maintaining a nonexistent status.

I mentioned I was reading White Trash. The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America by Nancy Isenberg on Instagram, and so many people responded saying they enjoyed it. As I read, I understood why it was such a hit for my followers because I couldn’t put it down either. Isenberg wrote a book about the complex class system in the United States through history, but added a new preface to directly address the 2016 election. In the post-Trump election, the American class system, which has often been overlooked and undocumented, propelled the country and the election in a certain direction.

There is a common thought process as Americans that when we separated from England we escaped classism. Isenberg debunks this ideology as she tells a chronologic story of the American class system. Looking into the motivations, language, government, and more, it is impossible to ignore the existence of a society which has maintained a social order with a thriving class of “white trash.”

As Americans, we see ourselves as a unique entity. In fact, many of our ideas about people and class include linguistic remnants from our time under British rule. Wording and context has changed with time, but many things have remained solidly intact. The idea of white trash comes from the term waste people meaning a class of people who under utilized their capabilities. These people were seen as lazy, empty, and disposable instead of being treated as products of their environment.

Throughout history, class and social standing has been inherently linked with land ownership, and this concept is still prevalent in our society. People are seen as having achieved success when they own a house.

I highly enjoyed how inclusive this book is. It does not glance over racial statistics or issues throughout history. Slavery and indentured servitude are often talked about. The faults and failings of the American founding fathers are highlighted throughout. It’s easy to overlook these traits, but Isenberg puts them on blast for the inequity they worked into the foundation of this country. Such as: voting laws, Jefferson trying to breed the black out of slaves, keeping the poor landless, and so much more. They, of course, had some good ideas, but they weren’t necessarily the awesome people we have been lead to believe they are.

I have spent a great amount of time in North Carolina, so I thought it was funny when Isenberg devoted three pages to talking about how the state is nothing but a dirty swamp. This did serve a very important function into explaining why North Carolina was populated by the impoverished because the rich, white guys didn’t want to live there, so they pushed everyone else that way.

As a linguist, there were tons of fabulous discussions about the history of language and how it was used to keep people in certain brackets. This idea isn’t something playing out solely in history; it is still prevalently used in today’s society.

Alright, so this book is really hard to concisely sum up because it covers such a wide range of topics. Isenberg must have spent an excruciating amount of time researching because it was incredibly well written. With a serious topic, she wrote with a compelling tone and just the appropriate amount of humor. It is well worth the read, and a seriously interesting look into American history.

Memorable Quotes:
“Language rules.”
“Beyond white anger and ignorance is a far more complicated history of class identity that dates back to America’s colonial period and British notions of poverty.”
“Parody was one way Americans safely digested their class politics.”
“The Fundamental Constitutions did more than endorse slavery. It was a manifesto promoting a semifeudalistic and wholly aristocratic society.”
“North Carolina forged a lasting legacy as what we might call the first white trash colony.”

Title: White Trash. The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America
Author: Nancy Isenberg
Publisher: Penguin Books
Copyright: 2016
ISBN:9780143129677

Books

13 Hours

November 16, 2017 RaeAnna

Read Yes
Length 320
Quick Review Six men put everything on the line to protect their fellow Americans during a brutal attack in Benghazi, Libya on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11.

Zuckoff writes an enthralling account of the men who protected an American safe hold in Libya on Sept ember 11, 2012. I had a hard time putting the book down once I got into it. As an American who watches as little news as possible when the word Benghazi is mentioned, it has an air of sadness to it. Although, I never really knew the particulars of what happened. To be honest, I would be surprised if many do. It is thought of as a sad moment in a sea of depressing incidents we live in post 9/11.

Zuckoff focuses on the six men who put their lives on the line that night. He wants the book to be impartial telling the events as the Annex Security Team remembers them with no political implication. It would be hard to call the book completely impartial because there were more people present that night than just the members of the Annex Security Team. It would have been interesting to hear their accounts of the night as well.

It’s hard not to begin the book optimistically because, like Titanic, the ending is already common knowledge. If it isn’t to you, I won’t spoil the depression.

Zuckoff makes it easy to get to know the Annex Security Team. He has an incredible ability to take himself out of the narrative allowing each man’s personality to bleed in when necessary while staying factual. Zuckoff spends a great deal of time describing people and places. The descriptions can drag a little over geography, but he includes diagrams making it possible to skim those sections to look at the pictures instead.

This is incredibly moving and a testament to the men who put their lives on the line to protect their country and their people. Their complexities come through in how they view the world, each other, and their superiors. It is always important to remember that heroes are people, and Zuckoff is able to portray this sentiment clearly throughout.

13 Hours is an important read for anyone who wants to be aware of recent history. Unfortunately, the events are not isolated, and similar attacks and atrocities happen all over the world to more or less media attention.

Memorable Quotes
“Oil had yet to be discovered, so no one wanted colonial responsibility for an impoverished, bombed-out Arab sandbox.”
“…telling each other that the United States had gotten its money’s worth for teaching them how to be soldiers.”

Title: 13 Hours; The Inside Account of What Really Happened
Author: Mitchell Zuckoff and the Annex Security Team
Publisher: Twelve (Hachette Book Group)
Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 9781455582273