Notes from No Man's Land question

Like the hungry mouth of a baby bird, eagerly awaiting its next meal, Biss sits amid a torrent of scraps, funneling as many pieces as she can catch through her open mind and onto the paper. Through the resulting blend of rich historical research and first hand experiences—of the dynamic and role that race plays in the lives of modern Americans—Biss presents an argument against the current state of racism in our country. While reading this collection of essays, there are many “Ah-ha” moments in which Biss definitively puts words to an observation she’s made about race, which the reader has made independently, but perhaps would never say for reasons of shame, guilt, or fear. Through her vivid examination of the issues caused by racial delineations in current American culture, Biss challenges the reader to step outside of the rigidly structured racial hierarchy that so strongly defines our identities, and into the possibility that we can all exist outside of a racial subset. This is the author’s main stance throughout Notes from No Man’s Land, that the separation of race and identity are crucial to the end of racism in any society. While critical of many current American behaviors, the artful presentation of a sensitive subject by the author made this book and optimistic and inspiring read, expressing that with time and commitment to change, racial relations in America can improve. Overall the book is fast, informative, and inevitably causes a rush of thoughtful analysis to flood over the reader while taking in Biss' accounts and opinions. If you are looking to expand your opinions about race and its affect on our lives, this is the book for you!