Memoir of a Race Traitor

Memoir of a Race Traitor is a lyrically written brutally honest book which is part memoir, part playbook strategy for her fight against racism and homophobia written by Mab Segrest. Originally published in 1994, this reformat and re-release, out 24th Sept 2019 by The New Press, is 319 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats (other editions available in other formats).

This was a difficult book for me to read. The prose itself in most of the book is fairly academic and dry, but additionally, I found myself reading and reflecting on the often truly horrific things the author was describing (both historical and recent) and feeling a gut-churning sense of shame and anger and impotent rage. I am afraid and angry, especially in the context of the current political climate, and it feels futile. She wrote the original text 25 years ago, 1994, and here we are again (and not for the first time, either).

Although I found it very difficult to read, I do feel that this is an important book. It's fascinating to see how she draws forth and exposes the intersections of both racism and homophobic politics and the solidifying of power and resources by those who are in control and unwilling to level the playing field or allow anyone who isn't them (largely white male and conservative) to have a voice.

This would be a superlative choice for a reading list for gender studies, American history, and many other related subjects. It is violent and some parts are horrific. My personal experience with the book is anger and sadness that the hundreds of years of violence and hatred represent in lost and wasted effort. Why the hell can't people get along?

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes