What It Is: Race, Family, and One Thinking Black Man’s Blues

In his latest work, Thompson (Twin of Blackness: A Memoir) juxtaposes his experiences with and knowledge of race and racism in the United States with passages from authors ranging from James Baldwin to Joan Didion who have deeply influenced his thinking. As Thompson reflects on the moral convictions he built his life upon in the wake of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, he becomes embroiled in conflicting emotions. In an attempt at learning the reasons behind a variety of voters’ decisions, Thompson travels to different areas of the country to learn one’s motivations for favoring one candidate over another. Once home, he turns to his local community for guidance on how to continue the journey and hard work of understanding. Speaking with a variety of individuals, Thompson also takes a hard look at his own actions and behaviors, including his failures. Includes illustrations by the author.