Quick Take

An intimate, impertinent, and incisive collection about race, progress, and hypocrisy from Jill Louise Busby, aka Jillisblack.Jill Louise Busby spent years in the nonprofit sector specializing in Diversity & Inclusion. She spoke at academic institutions, businesses, and detention centers on the topics of Race, Power, and Privilege and delivered over two-hundred workshops to nonprofit organizations all over the California Bay Area.In 2016, fed up with what passed as progressive in the Pacific Northwest, Busby uploaded a one-minute video about race, white institutions, and faux liberalism to Instagram. The video received millions of views across social platforms. As her pithy persona Jillisblack became an "it-voice" weighing in on all things race-based, Jill began to notice parallels between her performance of "diversity" in the white corporate world and her performance of "wokeness" for her followers. Both, she realized, were scripted.Unfollow Me is a memoir-in-essays about these scripts; it's about tokenism, micro-fame, and inhabiting spaces-real and virtual, black and white-where complicity is the price of entry. Busby's social commentary manages to be both wryly funny and achingly open-hearted as she recounts her shape-shifting moves among the subtle hierarchies of progressive communities. Unfollow Me is a sharply personal and self-questioning critique of white fragility (and other words for racism), respectability politics (and other words for shame), and all the places where fear masquerades as progress.

Reader's Review

Book Review Summary: Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity

Introduction

"Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity" by Jill Louise Busby is a collection of essays that delves into the complexities of race, progress, and hypocrisy. Busby, a former nonprofit specialist in Diversity & Inclusion, shares her personal experiences and insights on the topic of complicity, shedding light on the subtle hierarchies and power dynamics within progressive communities. With her sharp writing and incisive commentary, Busby challenges readers to confront their own complicity and question the authenticity of their actions. In this article, we will explore the author's background, analyze the common opinions of readers, and summarize the reasons for both recommending and not recommending this thought-provoking book.

About Jill Louise Busby

Jill Louise Busby, also known as Jillisblack, is the author of "Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity." With a background in the nonprofit sector, Busby has spent years specializing in Diversity & Inclusion. She has spoken at academic institutions, businesses, and detention centers, addressing issues related to Race, Power, and Privilege. In 2016, she gained widespread recognition with a one-minute video on race and white institutions that went viral on social platforms. As her online persona Jillisblack, she continued to share her thoughts on race-based topics, sparking conversations and generating discussions.

Analysis of Views

Intelligence and Provocation: Readers praise Busby's essays for their depth and ability to provoke thought. They find the writing style sharp and engaging, with essays that challenge conventional thinking and offer new perspectives on identity, hustle, complicity, and accountability.
Personal and Self-Questioning: The essays in "Unfollow Me" are described as both personal and self-questioning. Busby's introspective approach allows readers to see behind the masks and scripts she wears in different contexts. Her willingness to examine her own complicity and vulnerability resonates with readers who appreciate the honesty and authenticity of her writing.
Candidness and Courage: Many readers commend Busby's candidness and courage in revealing her truth. She does not shy away from examining her own flaws and shortcomings, which adds depth and relatability to her essays. This vulnerability inspires readers to reflect on their own lives and question their own complicity in various aspects of society.
Importance of Nuance: Busby's essays emphasize the importance of nuance in understanding complex issues related to race, identity, and progress. Readers appreciate her ability to highlight the nuances that often get lost in the rush to judgment or oversimplification. By exploring these subtleties, she encourages readers to engage with these topics with a more nuanced understanding.
Engaging Writing Style: Busby's writing style is praised for its engaging nature. Readers find her essays to be a delight to read, with a blend of humor and introspection that keeps them engaged throughout. Her ability to convey complex ideas in a relatable manner adds to the overall appeal of the book.

Reasons for Recommendation

Thought-Provoking Content: The essays in "Unfollow Me" challenge readers to think deeply about issues related to race, identity, and complicity. Busby's provocative writing style encourages readers to question their own beliefs and explore new perspectives, making it a valuable addition to any reader's library.
Personal Insight: Busby's personal experiences and insights offer a unique perspective on the topics she covers. Readers appreciate her willingness to share her own struggles and vulnerabilities, which adds depth and authenticity to her writing. This personal touch makes the book relatable and resonates with readers on a deeper level.
Well-Crafted Essays: The essays themselves are well-crafted and thoughtfully organized. Busby's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to follow along with her arguments and insights. The essays are structured in a way that allows readers to appreciate the progression of thought throughout the book, making it a cohesive reading experience.

Reasons for Not Recommendation

Lack of Focus: Some readers feel that the book lacks focus in certain sections, particularly in the middle where Busby explores her experiences with social media fame. They find that these sections detract from the overall theme of complicity and detract from the overall impact of the book.
Pessimism: A few readers express concerns about Busby's overall tone throughout the book. While some appreciate her honesty and willingness to confront uncomfortable truths, others find her pessimism about society's progress to be overwhelming. They feel that this pessimism detracts from the potential for positive change and can be disheartening for some readers.

Conclusion

"Unfollow Me: Essays on Complicity" by Jill Louise Busby is a thought-provoking collection of essays that delves into issues related to race, identity, and complicity. With her sharp writing style and candid approach, Busby challenges readers to confront their own complicity and question their actions within progressive communities. While some readers appreciate the book's thought-provoking content and personal insights, others find it lacking in focus or overwhelmed by pessimism. Overall, "Unfollow Me" offers valuable perspectives on complex issues and encourages readers to engage with these topics with nuance and introspection.