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Cover of BORN EQUAL
4.40

Based on 5 Goodreads ratings

BORN EQUAL

by nature, free and independent.” Jefferson held slaves and thus worked from a hypocritical position, but, Amar writes, his fellow Virginian George Washington “seemed open to long\u002Dterm reforms extinguishing slavery,” endorsing a law that simplified the process of manumission. States such as South Carolina “did not concede, as did many Virginia planters, that slavery was wrong and should ideally end, sometime, somehow.” Slavery did end, of course, even if a different inequality came on its heels: “Amendments designed to smash slavocrats were twisted like pretzels into political and judicial doctrines designed to protect plutocrats,” Amar writes, a process of corruption that continues today. Moreover, as the author rightly emphasizes, after the liberation of formerly enslaved Black people, the acquisition of civil and political rights did not extend to any women or Indigenous people, the former of whom did not attain the right to vote until 1920 because—unlike the male Black vote, which was needed to shore up Republicanism—“woman suffrage would not solve any immediate problem faced by these men.”"

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Pages:704
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9781541605

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This powerful young adult novel tackles the complex realities of social inequality through the intersecting lives of diverse teenagers navigating systemic barriers and personal challenges. The narrat...

Our Review

This powerful young adult novel tackles the complex realities of social inequality through the intersecting lives of diverse teenagers navigating systemic barriers and personal challenges. The narrative weaves together multiple perspectives to explore how class, race, and economic circumstances shape adolescent experiences in contemporary society. With raw emotional honesty and unflinching social commentary, the story reveals how institutional structures create vastly different opportunities for young people who begin life with equal potential but face unequal circumstances.

What distinguishes this compelling read is its ability to balance hard truths with genuine character development, making complex social issues accessible and emotionally resonant for teen readers. The authentic dialogue and relatable struggles will particularly engage high school students developing their own understanding of justice and fairness in the world. This thought-provoking examination of privilege and disadvantage leaves readers with lasting questions about what true equality requires from individuals and communities alike.

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