Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity by Jill Louise Busby

Bookseller: Erin
Publisher & Year Published: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021
Book Title: Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity
Author: Jill Louise Busby
Genre: Memoir, Race & Racism, Essays
Series: No

Gist: Busby, aka Jillisblack on the interwebs, has created a beautifully intimate collection of social commentary based on her experiences in the non-profit DEI world and an "it-voice" weighing in on all things race-based.

What you expected vs reality? I expected an interesting glimpse into the both of these world but Busby goes far beyond the basics of thinking about privilege. She examines tokenism, the bounds of progressivism, and the complicity in every social hierarchy in a funny, engaging, and identifiable way.

Takeaways & Reflections: Busby doesn't hold back when speaking about the lack of accountability in these "progressive" institutions. I wish she had gone even further in her reflections but it may be that I simply want to read more from her. The pithy tone is unexpected and serves as a lovely addition to this raw & honest work.

Who would you recommend this to? Anyone who is interested in a layered look at how people are complicit in racism in the United States. This is also a great collection for writers.