In Not All Americans Are Racist, Nicole Weaver recounts her experiences with racial discrimination and the non-racist white individuals who made it possible for her to attend and finish college. As an immigrant from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, she is thankful for the opportunities America has offered her.
Professional Reviews
Readers' Favorite
Reviewed by Roy T. James for Readers' Favorite
Not All Americans Are Racist by Nicole Weaver is a combination of an autobiography, a political commentary, and an appeal to young people to usher America into a new society. Unlike the stories of the injustice the back stories tell, Nicole Weaver's takes on life resonate with grit. “...we can waste a tremendous amount of energy allowing other people’s ignorance to deter us from making our dreams come true, or we can align ourselves with those people that extend a hand to help us move forward in life. I chose the latter.” Teaching in school after school, working with principals who were out to show that she is unfit to teach, as well as others who were greatly helpful and encouraging, handling students who were plainly racist, as well as others who were more than kind to her, she is finding her resolve to see more amicable racial relations created in America becoming stronger.
Not All Americans Are Racist by Nicole Weaver is more or less a balanced view of American society. “I will forever remain thankful that I set foot in the United States," she says, “where all dreams can be made true by hard work and perseverance.” Learning a new language and its culture, she rightly says, has the potential to ease race relations. This is a captivating book where more than the visible elements of discrimination that may upset one emotionally, and the unseen and latent factors affecting better race relations that are difficult to erase is discussed profusely. Well done, Nicole Weaver.
Honest and thought-provoking
"Not All Americans Are Racist" is an honest, thought-provoking account of one black woman's experience with racism after she came from Haiti at a young age and later on as she rose through college to get an education. Weaver is objective, not only pointing out the prejudice she experienced, but also the help and support she received from non-racist white individuals. Her decision to look back and write this 46-page essay was sparked by recent events, such as the latest cases in the news with Darren Wilson, Trayvon Martin, and Eric Garner.
As a human being, I found Weaver's account both compelling and eye-opening. I hate injustices of all kinds and some of her experiences were painful to read. It's hard to come to terms with the fact that, still in this era, some people hate others or are prejudiced just because of the color of the other person's skin.
Weaver touches on various subjects, such as Jim Crow and the Civil Rights movement, President Obama, social issues, among others. "Not All Americans Are Racist" would be worthy of high-school class discussions, and Weaver includes discussion questions for students at the end of the book.
What I liked about this book is that it is ultimately positive and offers hope for the future. Above all, the author's love for this country sparkles through. Most appropriately, Weaver ends the book with an open appeal to the young people of America.
Yes, discrimination is still with us. -- Read this personal story and help be a catalyst for change
When I read the title and introduction to Nicole Weaver’s "Not All Americans Are Racist," I was concerned the book would be too emotional, too hard to deal with—about racism, our national disgrace. I read, review, and write children’s books, so I thought this would be a hard book to read. But it’s not long, so I thought I could handle it.
It’s a personal story of discrimination experienced by a fellow author and teacher who immigrated to America from Haiti. It took place over the course of her school, college, and work life—in my lifetime. Not 50 or 100 years ago, but happening now to a person who teaches high school and writes children’s books.
Of course, we read the news, watch TV, and know the struggle for equality between the races and genders has improved in some parts of our country, but not in others. I’ve experienced gender and age discrimination, so I can relate somewhat. Living in Hawaii as a white person, I felt on the outside of the culture. Working in Washington. D.C, I was in the minority. But I didn’t feel my job prospects were diminished or my work dismissed because of the color of my skin.
Ms. Weaver received undeservedly low grades in school, experienced name calling, back stabbing, outright lies, persecution, and unprofessional efforts to discredit her work. This is totally unacceptable and heart breaking. That she overcame those experiences to become the kind of teacher we all want for our children is due to her strong will, positive attitude, and strength of character.
What she hopes to achieve through this book is a call to action for teens of America. Just because racism persists, doesn’t mean we have to stop trying to improve things. Young people are more open to the world now. They can make their own decisions. They don’t have to “inherit” the racism many in the older generation were modeled by parents and teachers. This is a positive book with hope for the future because of teachers like Ms. Weaver who truly care about their students, inspire them, and celebrate their achievements.
"Not All Americans Are Racist" is recommended for middle and high school students. Perhaps it will open their eyes and inspire them to condemn racism and discrimination. May it open up the future to possibilities and greater understanding.
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