Citizen: An American Lyric
- Genre: Poetry; Prose; Nonfiction; Cultural Commentary
- Originally Published: 2014
- Reading Level/Interest: College/Adult
- Structure/Length: The book consists of multiple sections that combine poetry, prose, and images in 7 chapters; approx. 160 pages; approx. 1 hour and 37 minutes on audiobook
- Central Concern: In Citizen, Claudia Rankine crafts a powerful and poignant commentary on race and racism in contemporary America. Through a mix of lyric essays, poetry, and visual art, Rankine illustrates the everyday microaggressions, prejudices, and systemic injustices faced by Black individuals. By blurring genres and using a second-person perspective, she invites readers to experience and confront the often subtle yet pervasive racial aggressions, making a compelling case for the urgency of dialogue and introspection on racial biases.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Discussions of racism, racial microaggressions, and related systemic issues; emotional and personal accounts of racial discrimination