Uncensored
My Life and Uncomfortable Conversations at the Intersection of Black and White America
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4.6 • 7 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Drawing upon his own powerful personal story, Zachary Wood shares his perspective on free speech, race, and dissenting opinions--in a world that sorely needs to learn to listen.
As the former president of the student group Uncomfortable Learning at his alma mater, Williams College, Zachary Wood knows from experience about intellectual controversy. At school and beyond, there's no one Zach refuses to engage with simply because he disagrees with their beliefs--sometimes vehemently so--and this view has given him a unique platform in the media.
But Zach has never shared the details of his own personal story. In Uncensored, he reveals for the first time how he grew up poor and black in Washington, DC, where the only way to survive was resisting the urge to write people off because of their backgrounds and perspectives. By sharing his troubled upbringing--from a difficult early childhood to the struggles of code-switching between his home and his elite private school--Zach makes a compelling argument for a new way of interacting with others and presents a new outlook on society's most difficult conversations.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this thought-provoking memoir, Wood, a fellow at the Wall Street Journal, writes about his troubled life growing up and controversial position as president of a college speaker series. Wood recalls his impoverished youth in Detroit with his emotionally troubled mother, who enrolled him in a series of private schools where he thrived academically but withered socially under his mother's emotional abuse. Officials with Child Protective Services took Wood away as a teenager after several abuse allegations against his schizophrenic mother (who also had a gambling addiction), and returned him to his estranged father in Washington, D.C. He attended private school while living in a poor neighborhood, and in straddling two cultures, he came to realize the importance learning how to understand and engage with others, no matter their differences. He attended Williams College and became president of a student speaker series called Uncomfortable Learning that advocated free speech and open dialogue. Wood himself became a controversial figure on campus by inviting such speakers as antifeminist writer Suzanne Venker, National Review columnist John Derbyshire, and Bell Curve author Charles Murray. Wood's thought-provoking memoir is a fierce call for honest intellectual debate and social interaction.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful read
I purchased this after reading an opinion piece in the N.Y. Times by the author, and I’m so glad that I looked him up. Mr. Wood shares his life experiences and helps the reader to see how he arrived at his beliefs and his thoughts on free speech. He also gives insight into the inequalities present in our country that cause so many to fall short when trying to climb out of poverty in 2018. Excellent well written book, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else Mr. Wood has in store for us in the future.
Polished to Perfection
A great read from a great young person who has come to know himself quite well and helps us see more in ourselves. Zach is an inspiration. He has overcome so much and has accomplished a lot in a few short years. Zach is a person to watch and admire. I look forward to helping him in his run for President. This country needs intelligent leaders like Zack who are willing to tell the truth, stand up for what they believe but always willing to understand the other side of an argument and treat his adversaries with respect.
Crisp
An amazing memoir that anyone in adolescence can gain value from reading. This book will definitely take off as Zach’s career continues to develop. Looking forward to the future!