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There are currently 13 member reviews
for Erased
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Melanie B. (Desoto, TX)
Highly Recommend This Book
Anna Malaika Tubbs does a very good job explaining the American patriarchal system and the myriad ways the system works to maintain itself. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it as mandatory reading for high school and university students.
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Marianne L. (Syosset, NY)
EYES WIDE OPEN
ERASED by Anna Malaika Tubbs, is a must read for anyone, male or female, who wishes to walk the present day with EYES WIDE OPEN. It is a well-researched, and clearly articulated lightening rod of a book that reviews the history and survival of our ugly patriarchal roots as Americans. I personally have lived over six decades and experienced plenty of what is described in this book. What I found most surprising is, after reading ERASED, I experienced an even greater sensitivity to the forms and frequency this patriarchy invades our everyday life that I for one, was not even noticing anymore. I wanted to sound an alarm! Given all the upheaval in American life today, this book is a must-read. I would highly recommend it for book discussion groups.
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Rosemary P. (Waterloo, IA)
Quitting the Patriarchy
"Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden From Us" by Anna Malaika Tubbs, Ph.D., is a well-written, compelling, and important book, appropriate for high school and college classrooms, book clubs, and for any person who wishes to broaden their understanding of history.
"Erased" is especially important at this time in our culture, when books are being banned; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs and contracts are being cancelled; and our democracy is becoming an oligarchy, managed by billionaires.
Tubbs has two goals in writing this book. First, to accurately define and map American patriarchy: how it came to be, how it has persisted, and how it controls the very way in which we make sense of our world. Second, to help the reader imagine other ways to live. "The opposite of our current American patriarchy would be a nation that is organized based on bravery, optimism, a sense of security, and a comfort that comes with everyone having their needs met and therefore not being tricked into feeling the need to withhold all your power and wealth for yourself" (p. 272).
Anna Tubbs shares many details of her personal history with her readers, which created for me the feeling that I was sitting with a wise teacher-friend. Yes, the subject matter is serious and the author is not afraid to share facts about gender and race that many politicians currently are attempting to erase from our history books. However, her words and ideas flow easily, and I never felt depressed or shocked at anything in this book. I am a 75 year old female, and I have lived through many decades of the United States history that she describes.
In writing this book, the author wants to make patriarchy as obvious to you as it is to her. By the time I was 200 pages into the book, I was able to better perceive patriarchal behavior around me, as well as in the media. For example, when I heard a priest say that anyone in this room full of high school students (males and females) could become the pope, I thought "Think Again!" And when reading the NYT online, this headline jumped out at me: "Black Lives Matter Plaza is Gone. Its Erasure Feels Symbolic."
The book is well-organized, written in a clear and conversational voice. Each of the six sections of the book is packed with facts and examples from history, and Dr. Tubbs does a thorough job of teaching the story of American patriarchy, how it was developed by our founding fathers and written into the Constitution, how it is reinforced through our laws and customs, taught from one generation to the next, maintained through our institutions and social media, and how we can begin to take action to change the status quo.
In my opinion, "Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden From Us" succeeds admirably in teaching us to recognize the concept of patriarchy in the United States, and the consequences it has for all of us.
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Kathy W. (Clarion, PA)
Much food for thought
This book is an ARC from Bookbrowse.
Wow! Dr. Tubbs gave me much to think about. Her writing is very organized, and she presents how those who are NOT white men have been erased in history. Her book could not be coming out at a better time. Women are stronger than ever. Fighting for what we have already earned is a battle that needs to be finished, though.
I am a white widow who has had to struggle to keep my independence from condescending white men who "mean no harm", yet do harm every time they call me "young lady" or say things to me that they'd never say to a fellow white man. I can't even imagine what Dr. Tubbs has gone through as a black woman. I was hoping that Dr. Tubbs would offer some solutions as to how to create a world where we all are "seen" and not "erased". And she does. Her alternative universe is as perfect as possible when dealing with imperfect humans.
I recently found a quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made". I couldn't agree more.
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Renay (MS)
A New Framing
Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs has crafted an insightful work in which she expertly presents how pervasive patriarchy is in the United States. What is so innovative is her framing mechanism as she uses her own and her mother's personal experiences to illustrate patriarchal concepts. I enjoyed reading this text, especially her discussion of sexism and racism. Too often, authors present all women as being overwhelming united when that has not been the case as race has always been a significant factor. I think all people of all races should read this work. The first step to dismantling a system is becoming aware of it as Dr. Tubbs states.
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Susan P. (Santa Paula, CA)
A sobering study about how racism and patriarchy controls American society
As women, we see how men control the world around us, but Ann Malaika Tubbs gives us specific examples here that are blatant as well as subtle, and shows how they have permeated every aspect of society throughout history. You need only to read the table of contents which is structured as a poem to see how women's stories are distorted and ignored throughout history, how we are subject to men's rules, how they turn our strengths into weaknesses, and destroy our sense of safety. The chapter on how women are abused and objectified, reminded me of a famous quote: 'Men fear that women will laugh at them, while women fear that men will kill them'. Sad, but many times true. The author does a great job with all these topics and still ends the book on a chapter of hope, on how we can make a difference by coming together, supporting one another, and fighting for justice.
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Sandi M. (Baltimore, MD)
ERASED
This compelling and well-researched book offers a powerful critique of the patriarchal systems deeply embedded in American society. Using a combination of personal stories and real-life narratives, the author creates a very readable and engaging text that illustrates important concepts with clarity and emotional impact. The stories not only bring abstract ideas to life but also reveal how the patriarchy manipulates narratives to maintain its power.
The book outlines the steps from realization to acceptance, guiding readers through an awakening process. It shows how patriarchy is upheld by everything from the Constitution to the Supreme Court and how it exerts control—particularly over women's bodies—as a means of controlling women themselves. Those most affected include women of color, non-heteronormative individuals, and others marginalized by cultural norms. Patriarchy divides society, determining who is treated with dignity and who is dehumanized, while often blaming and shaming the victims.
It is time to uncover the true power of patriarchy, see how we unconsciously support it, and recognize how it shapes every stage of our lives. We must rethink the myths we've inherited and come together to present a more hopeful, inclusive future—one that protects and nurtures all people.
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