Reviewed: They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib
They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us
By Hanif Abdurraqib
Published 2022
Reviewed by Beth Vande Griend
"They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us" is a powerful and thought-provoking collection of essays by Hanif Abdurraqib. Through his eloquent prose and keen observations, Abdurraqib explores the intersection of music, culture, and personal experiences. With its striking assertion, the book’s title sets the tone for exploring resilience in the face of adversity.
Abdurraqib's writing effortlessly weaves together personal anecdotes, music reviews, and reflections on society. His ability to draw connections between seemingly disparate topics creates a tapestry of emotion and insight. Whether he's discussing the impact of iconic musicians like Prince and Whitney Houston, the optimism of Chance the Rapper’s Golden Year, or delving into the painful realities of racism and violence in America, each essay is a journey that leaves a lasting impression.
What makes this collection truly exceptional is Abdurraqib's ability to blend the personal with the universal. He shares his experiences as a Black man and a music lover, inviting readers to connect with his stories while encouraging them to reflect on their own lives and passions.
Despite the differences in our socio-economic backgrounds, I find myself connecting with Abdurraqib's tales of concerts featuring bands that formed the soundtrack of my youth, recalling a series of events that create markers in my memory and a mutual understanding of coming of age in the Midwest. Long after the final page is turned, "They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us" lingers in the mind—Hanif bares his soul in each essay and urges readers to hold onto joy in the final pages.
“And I hope, then, that a child who blessedly knows less of the world’s evils decides to laugh with his friends in a place that reaches your ears. I hope it carries you back to the fight, as it has done for me. Joy, in this way, can be a weapon—that which carries us forward when we have been beaten back for days, or months, or years.”
By Hanif Abdurraqib
Published 2022
Reviewed by Beth Vande Griend
"They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us" is a powerful and thought-provoking collection of essays by Hanif Abdurraqib. Through his eloquent prose and keen observations, Abdurraqib explores the intersection of music, culture, and personal experiences. With its striking assertion, the book’s title sets the tone for exploring resilience in the face of adversity.
Abdurraqib's writing effortlessly weaves together personal anecdotes, music reviews, and reflections on society. His ability to draw connections between seemingly disparate topics creates a tapestry of emotion and insight. Whether he's discussing the impact of iconic musicians like Prince and Whitney Houston, the optimism of Chance the Rapper’s Golden Year, or delving into the painful realities of racism and violence in America, each essay is a journey that leaves a lasting impression.
What makes this collection truly exceptional is Abdurraqib's ability to blend the personal with the universal. He shares his experiences as a Black man and a music lover, inviting readers to connect with his stories while encouraging them to reflect on their own lives and passions.
Despite the differences in our socio-economic backgrounds, I find myself connecting with Abdurraqib's tales of concerts featuring bands that formed the soundtrack of my youth, recalling a series of events that create markers in my memory and a mutual understanding of coming of age in the Midwest. Long after the final page is turned, "They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us" lingers in the mind—Hanif bares his soul in each essay and urges readers to hold onto joy in the final pages.
“And I hope, then, that a child who blessedly knows less of the world’s evils decides to laugh with his friends in a place that reaches your ears. I hope it carries you back to the fight, as it has done for me. Joy, in this way, can be a weapon—that which carries us forward when we have been beaten back for days, or months, or years.”