Men We Reaped: A Memoir of Love and Loss in a Chicago Neighborhood

By Jesmyn Ward

Men We Reaped is a memoir by Jesmyn Ward, who tells the story of growing up in rural Mississippi and losing five young black men in her life to violence and illness over a six-year period. The memoir is a powerful and moving exploration of race, class, grief, and resilience.

Men We Reaped: A Memoir

by Jesmyn Ward

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3160 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	274 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Ward begins the memoir with the death of her brother, Joshua, who was murdered in 2000. She then goes on to tell the stories of four other young men from her community who died in the following years: Emmett Till, who was lynched in 1955; Henry Dee, who was shot and killed by a white man in 1983; and Ronald Johnson, who was killed in a car accident in 1993.

Ward's writing is raw and honest, and she does not shy away from the pain and anger that she feels as a result of these losses. However, she also finds moments of beauty and hope in the midst of the tragedy. She writes about the strength of her family and community, and she celebrates the lives of the young men who she has lost.

Men We Reaped is a powerful and important book that shines a light on the devastating impact of violence and illness on black communities. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges that black men face in America today.

Awards and accolades

• National Book Award for Nonfiction (2011)
• Anisfield-Wolf Book Award (2012)
• PEN/Open Book Award (2012)
• NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work (2012)
• Time magazine's Top 10 Nonfiction Books of 2011
• The New York Times Book Review's 10 Best Books of 2011
• The Washington Post's Best Books of 2011
• The San Francisco Chronicle's Best Books of 2011
• The Los Angeles Times' Best Books of 2011
• The Chicago Tribune's Best Books of 2011

Critical reception

Men We Reaped has received widespread critical acclaim. Michiko Kakutani of The New York Times called it "a powerful and moving memoir that is both personal and political." Ron Charles of The Washington Post said that "Ward's writing is raw and honest, and she does not shy away from the pain and anger that she feels as a result of these losses." NPR's Maureen Corrigan said that "Men We Reaped is a necessary book, a book that will help us understand the challenges that black men face in America today."

Impact

Men We Reaped has had a significant impact on the national conversation about race and violence. It has been used as a teaching tool in schools and universities, and it has inspired community organizations to work to address the root causes of violence in black communities. Ward has also spoken out about the need for gun control and for reforms to the criminal justice system.

Men We Reaped is a powerful and important book that shines a light on the devastating impact of violence and illness on black communities. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges that black men face in America today.

Men We Reaped: A Memoir

by Jesmyn Ward

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3160 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	274 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE