(ThyBlackMan.com) America is a country steeped in struggle. There is no time in her history whereby struggle among the people of this country doesn’t exist. It happens in the most unfortunate of ways…slavery, racism, genocide, sexism, abuse of power, and what feels like a way against anyone that is different in culture, ethnicity, or is willing to challenge the ruling class of the nation. There are many areas whereby intersectional struggles exist and it seems the rabbit whole just gets deeper. If the we could come together in honesty about the fabric of this nation, we would all understand that America would be less than without the rich cultures that many different groups bring to the table. The co-existence of these different groups is what gives America the potential to be great.
Nevertheless, there is an ongoing battle to, not only realize the greatness, unify as one nation of citizens towards that goal in a manner that forces those in power to heed the will of the people. “The Good Fight: America’s Ongoing Struggle for Justice” by Rick Smolan and Jennifer Erwitt is a book that endeavors to bring many of this country’s major struggles together in a way that would allow the reader to get a basic understanding of each. This would lead the reader to want to know more about each area of struggle.
“The Good Fight: America’s Ongoing Struggle for Justice” is a large book, and for good reason. the photography in each section is amazing, and interactive. The book really does capture moments in history for every group of people represented. It is easy to see the progression of each struggle and see where you are in the timeline. The book has an app, The Good Fight App, that allows the reader to access more content. While in the app simply point your camera at the orange phone symbol in the book and it you can view additional content on the subject you are reading. This is a very useful tool especially if the book is used in an academic setting. The book addresses the following group struggles: Native American, African American, Japanese American, Jewish American, Muslim American, Latino American, American Women, LGBTQ Americans, and Disabled Americans. There is a brief overview at the beginning of each groups chapter, then the reader encounters first person accounts of people within each group. Unlike most reference books the reader is able to take in the story of a person explaining their personal struggle in this nation. They are heartbreaking and resilient. This aspect makes the text come alive.
I must say as an African American I found that section to be covered well. However, in the brief overview I took issue with some of the wording that would lead a reader to believe that the civil rights era what as improvement for blacks in this country. “The lot of African Americans began to improve in the 1050s and 60s with the rise of the civil rights movement.” During that time many of our people were lynched, burned and beaten. The police brutality that existed back then is still present today with, what some could argue is, the same intensity. For someone that is seeking to understand the plight of the African American that statement can be misleading. For ever bit of progress achieved more roadblocks were created to combat the progress.
Overall, “The Good Fight: America’s Ongoing Struggle for Justice” is solid reference book, and it takes all struggles into account with care. It is a good place to start looking at all the different struggles in this country and how they are connected.
“The Good Fight: America’s Ongoing Struggle for Justice” is available on Amazon, and everywhere books are sold.
Staff Writer; Christian Starr
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