Moving, truly moving! This piece is not only expressive on an emotional level but also intellectually engaging. The style it adopts meshes cohesively with the subtext, and perhaps this is precisely what makes it so highly effective. It has the power to draw the reader in and hold their attention. However, it does have a slight drawback. It can get a little one-note at times, which detracts from its overall perfection. If it weren't for this small flaw, it would毫无疑问 have been a solid 5-star piece. But even with this imperfection, it still manages to leave a lasting impression and is well worth the read.

Wherein a law professor deeply meditates on the experience of being the object of property. I had the opportunity to read portions of this during my law school days. I am truly glad that I did. To a significant extent, it serves as a critical reflection on the state of being The Other within the academy. The author, who was one of the very first African American professors at Harvard, found herself in a rather solitary position. Among the诸多 factors that exacerbated her sense of aloneness were the gratuitously racist factual scenarios that appeared on exams. For example, there was a question like: "What are the tax implications for Kunta Kinte’s master when the slavecatchers cut off his foot?" She had quite a lengthy list of such incidents. When she attempted to push back against this unjust treatment, the academy responded in a defensive and childish manner. My vague dislike of Harvard continues to persist unabated.

She also vividly recounts the story of one of her students who transitioned while in law school. When the student began using the women’s restroom, some members of the student body completely lost their rational minds. There was an enormous outcry from women students of all political persuasions, who claimed to "feel raped" in addition to the more academic assertions of some who "feared rape." In a complex storm of homophobia, the men of the student body made it known that they too "feared rape" and vowed to chase her out of any and all men’s rooms. Eventually, the oppositional forces of men and women reached a compromise: S. should use the dean’s bathroom. However, in the dean’s bathroom, no real resolution was to be found, for the suggestion had not been an honest one but merely an integration of the fears of each side. Then, when it was the dean’s turn, his circumspection, which had served him well in life up until that point, led him to express polite, well-modulated fears about the appearance of impropriety in having students visit his inner sanctum, and many other things most likely related to his fear of a real compromise of the existing hierarchy.

This book is agonizing in numerous ways. Professor Williams is truly a product of our country, embodying both our moral triumphs and our moral defeats. She is also the descendant of a lawyer. As she recounts, "My great-great-grandfather Austin Miller, a thirty-five-year-old lawyer, impregnated my eleven-year-old great-great-grandmother Sophie, making her the mother of Mary, my great-grandmother, by the time she was twelve." Professor Williams’ mother told her she "had nothing to fear in law school, that law was ‘in my blood.’"

As a book, it is a little disjointed; it feels more like a collection of essays strung together rather than a cohesive long form piece. However, when considered as individual pieces, they are extremely powerful. The last essay, “On Being the Object of Property” is both a gut-wrenching and incredibly generous piece of writing. It is well worth the time and effort to read and reflect upon.

After James Baldwin and before Ta-Nehisi Coates, there emerged Patricia Williams, a remarkable individual. She was not only a lawyer but also a professor of commercial law. Moreover, she was the great-great-granddaughter of a slave and a white southern lawyer.

Her work, "The Alchemy of Race and Rights," is a captivating and exquisitely written autobiographical essay. In it, she delves into her personal experiences regarding the intersections of race, gender, and class. She casts her gaze upon some significant current events of the late eighties and early nineties, like the Howard Beach incident, the Tawana Brawley case, and the Bernhard Goetz affair.

Williams writes in a highly anecdotal and conversational style. Instead of simply assigning blame, she endeavors to understand how deeply ingrained racism is within popular culture and contemporary life. It is a sort of poignant meditation on the law. I found it to be an extremely engaging and thought-provoking piece that I truly liked a great deal.

This is a brilliantly written piece.

I have read it several times. Professor Patricia Williams is truly vibrant. Through her personal experience and the depth of her research, I was able to see many aspects that resonate with my own.

It is one of the best works in the intersection of law and race. I highly recommend that you read it.

It definitely deserves 5 stars, but I only wish I had more stars to give!

The way she presents her ideas and arguments is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Her personal touch adds an extra layer of authenticity to the work.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the complex relationship between law and race.

I am sure you will find it as enlightening as I did.

I have come to understand that the intricacies and subtleties of racial identity are of such profound complexity that they have the potential to drive an intelligent individual to the brink of madness, should she allow herself to be consumed by it.

It is a topic that delves deep into the very core of our being, shaping our perceptions, experiences, and interactions.

The various layers of racial identity, with its unique set of challenges and opportunities, can be both enlightening and overwhelming.

It forces us to confront our own biases, prejudices, and assumptions, and to grapple with the often-conflicting emotions that arise.

This exploration of racial identity is not only a personal journey but also a social and cultural one.

It has the power to bring about change, to foster understanding and empathy, and to break down the barriers that divide us.

It is a worthwhile read that offers valuable insights into the human condition and the importance of embracing our differences.

Awesome!

Williams’ prose is truly remarkable. It is so poetic and evocative that it draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are a part of the story. She has a unique ability to convey meaning in the most articulate and beautiful way, making her writing a pleasure to read.

I started reading this book because a chapter from it was assigned as reading for my legal theory class. At the time, I was focused on understanding the concepts and ideas presented in the chapter. However, what surprised me when I revisited the book after the semester finished was Williams’ sense of humour. I had not realized how funny she was while I was obliged to read a chapter for uni. But now that I’ve had the time to fully digest her writing and take it at my own pace, I find her writing much more entertaining.

The book contains some really prescient messages on race and the law, even though it was written over thirty years ago. It is fascinating to read it in the context of Trump 2.0 and see how relevant it still is today. As a student of colour at law school, I could identify with many of the commonalities that Williams describes.

I would totally recommend this book to anyone studying law, as it provides a unique perspective on the intersection of race and the law. It is also a great read for anyone more broadly interested in critical race theory.

The most inspiring book for lawyers who entered the profession as idealists and now find themselves wondering what on earth they are doing. Law is an extremely powerful field, yet the sheer might of its conservatism (that is, the love for the status quo) can render it a challenging career option for activists and agents of social change. Patricia Williams, with her scholarly yet incredibly approachable style, sheds light on both the promise of law and its shortcomings.

She is not a cynic. She is not a so-called "realist" who opts to "take life as it comes". Patricia Williams is nothing less than a true visionary who has been put to the test in the crucible. Her work serves as a reminder to me of why I chose to become a lawyer - even in those moments when I too am standing on the pile of rubble that were once my dreams for the profession and ask myself "what now?".

It is in these times of doubt and uncertainty that Williams' words offer a glimmer of hope and a source of inspiration. Her insights into the law and its role in society help to reignite the passion that first led me to pursue this career. Through her work, I am reminded that despite the difficulties and setbacks, the law has the potential to be a force for good and a means of effecting positive social change.

Williams' book is not just a theoretical treatise on the law; it is a practical guide for lawyers who are committed to making a difference in the world. It offers valuable advice and strategies for navigating the complex and often frustrating legal system, while also maintaining one's idealism and sense of purpose. Whether you are a new lawyer just starting out or a seasoned veteran, this book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of the law to make a positive impact on society.

This remarkable piece of work truly belongs on all our bookshelves.

It is not just an ordinary book but a literary gem that has the power to captivate and inspire.

I can envision myself reading this book not just once or twice, but many times over.

Each time I pick it up, I am certain to discover new nuances, gain fresh perspectives, and be immersed in its wonderful world.

The author's skillful writing and engaging storytelling make it a must-read for anyone with a love for literature.

Whether you are looking for entertainment, knowledge, or simply a good escape, this book has it all.

So, don't hesitate to add it to your collection and let it become a cherished part of your literary journey.

You won't be disappointed.

This statement emphasizes the significance of a particular work or piece of writing. It is presented as a must-read for those who find themselves grappling with the complex tensions that exist between thought and life, concept and phenomenon, or the law as a social practice.

These tensions are inherent in our daily experiences and intellectual pursuits. Thought often aims to make sense of life, but the two do not always align perfectly. Concepts strive to capture the essence of phenomena, yet there are always nuances and exceptions that elude our conceptual frameworks.

Similarly, the law, as a social practice, attempts to regulate and govern society, but it faces numerous challenges and contradictions. Understanding these tensions is crucial for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the world around us and for making informed decisions in various aspects of life.

This must-read offers valuable insights and perspectives that can help us navigate these complex issues and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between thought, life, concept, phenomenon, and the law as a social practice.

This book offers a revealing look into the aspects that are lacking in the law. In most applications of the law, the ideas of justice are conspicuously absent, particularly when it comes to women, children, people of color, queer individuals, and prisoners. By skillfully weaving personal narrative and story-telling into an examination of legal theory, Williams precisely captures a vivid picture of what we require for a more restorative form of justice.

However, what I find challenging, not only when reading this but also other CLS/CRS works, is the question of how we can progress towards a better application of the law when it has been so grossly misused. How can we rectify a system that has caused such injustice? Is it even feasible?

I was particularly moved by this quote, especially when considering human rights as a tool for a more comprehensive form of justice: "In the law, rights are islands of empowerment. To be unrighted is to be dis-empowered, and the line between rights and no-rights is most often the line between dominators and oppressed. Rights contain images of power, and manipulating those images, either visually or linguistically, is central in the making and maintenance of rights. In principle, therefore, the more dizzingly diverse the images that are propagated, the more empowered we will be as a society," (233-234). This quote emphasizes the crucial role that rights play in empowering individuals and the importance of a diverse range of images in the construction and preservation of those rights.

This is a simply superb collection of essays.

The author is a Columbia University law professor and a columnist for The Nation. She brings the well-trained eye of a Critical Legal Theorist to the social and political struggles of the contemporary USA.

Her work is truly remarkable as she has an astounding ability to blend legal thinking, literary theory, and historical analysis with everyday politics and life.

By doing so, she offers a unique perspective on the complex issues that our society faces today.

This collection of essays is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of law, politics, and society.

It provides valuable insights and thought-provoking ideas that will surely stimulate further discussion and debate.

Overall, this is an outstanding work that showcases the author's expertise and her ability to make complex ideas accessible to a wide audience.

It has become rather hackneyed and even patronizing to label Black American writing (whether in fiction or non-fiction) that pertains to race and racism as "prophetic." However, when it comes to this 1991 book by Williams, it would be remiss not to mention how strikingly relevant and contemporary it still feels.

Consequently, a significant portion of the book details violence. Yet, Williams skillfully navigates between a vivid description of that harsh reality while still maintaining an awareness of the broader social context within which these events and processes occur. I interpret her thesis as suggesting that these incidents intertwine to form a social fabric of anti-blackness with distinct rhetorical and social "purposes." In particular, her writing on confining (some) Black expression to a supposed apolitical state is a remarkable example.

Scattered throughout the text are personal anecdotes that vividly illustrate how this social dynamic can reverberate inward and impact Black self-perception. This, in turn, gives rise to the more experimental passages in what, as the title indicates, is her diary.

For anyone delving into more recent writing on race and racism in the United States, Williams' work provides a usefully comprehensive overview of a large part of the topic. I highly recommend it as a valuable companion to numerous other works on this subject.