Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This was heartbreaking to read and at some point I could not be rational or even look at things from a different perspective as I read the experiences Larry went through, and how he found understanding and healing in Buddhism. It's a timely and from my view as an outsider, one of the books that every American should read on race and injustice.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

Short book, but it took ages to read and get through. And I'm not sure, beyond a general understanding of 'it started with slavery and now this is where we are', this book is doing much more than giving you this idea. A lot of it felt like generalizations, or sentences that should've been the title for a full section to be explained. This book seemed to suffer from its shortness - too much packed in, but then again, not explained in detail enough for it all to make sense and lead to a better understanding of what the author wanted to convey

Americas Racial Karma by Larry Ward PhD

9781946764744

144 Pages
Publisher; Parallax Press
Release Date: September 15, 2020

Nonfiction (Adult), Memoir, Politics, Racial, Buddhism

Larry was shot at 11 years old playing baseball in the wrong area. This was the beginning of a tough life. He discusses how he felt when in Hong Kong with a team of schoolteachers, someone mistook him as the luggage carrier instead of the dean. The story about his and his wife, Peggy, traveling to Asheville, North Carolina to relocate. On the way, they passed many confederate flags. These flags were outward signs of hatred.

Although this is a short book, it is full of inspirational thoughts. I actually read this book twice because I enjoyed it so much. This is a book about race, but it is also a book about the possibilities of a better future.

The last few tumultuous months have shown to the entire world one of America's most pressing problems. No, it's not the prohibitively expensive medical insurance, nor is it the neoliberal system that serves only the richest half percent. Nope, it's something much more primitive and despicable than that, institutionalized racism. Dr. Larry Ward's newest book “America's Racial Karma” is only one among many recent texts that deal with this pressing matter. However, where this short book differs from most other ones is that it looks from it from the perspective of Buddhism or more precisely Buddhist Psychology.

The book is divided into three sections, titled "Deep," "Deeper," and "Deeper Still" each of which supposedly looks at the problem from a more engaged perspective. The first section looks from it from the point of view of history (both grand history and Ward's personal experience being a Black man living in America), trying to explain the different ways in which America has developed to be a country of institutionalized racism. The other two chapters look at the problem from a Buddhist perspective with the final one, "Deeper Still" suggesting Buddhist practices that might help the readers (and the country as a whole) cleanse itself from the karmic hindrance that is racism.
As interesting the premise and eye-opening many of the facts shared by Ward may be, and trust me, some of them are quite shocking in their brazen and antiquated racist wording, the book suffers from many of the shortcomings that other titles from the same genre do. What I mean by that is the overuse of unnecessarily flowery language and "deep-sounding" allegories and parables. Though acceptable when used sparingly, after all this type of language is a kind of a "trademark" for Buddhist literature around the world, especially for the school of Zen associated with the Vietnamese monk Thich Nath Hanh of which Dr. Ward is a part, there are just way too many sentences and whole paragraphs that are too ornate without saying anything, such as "[t]he bridge of mercy lies deep within us and among us, however well it is hidden by clouds of conflict, cruelty, and hatred." A simple and beautiful idea that is smothered by the words used to describe it.

The second shortcoming, which, again, it shares with many spiritual books dealing with contemporary issues, is the use of basic science as a means to show that the practices proposed in the final chapter, many of which are just slightly tweaked Buddhist meditations, are scientific and based on psychology. Well, they aren’t, at least not in the contemporary understanding of these fields, but they shouldn’t be, either. Buddhism is after all an ancient religion that should be seen as presenting alternative (and possibly better) ways for dealing with the same issues which modern fields like contemporary psychology fail. Moreover, I believe that the disassociation of Buddhism from the contemporary view on philosophy (which as far as I know, is developed and codified by Western white males) is also where Ward could have given his stronger argument against racism and white supremacy. Instead, he decides to subjugate Buddhism and the Buddhist practice to the Western/White understanding of science.
In the end, I believe that “America’s Racial Karma” will prove an interesting and valuable read for all people interested in Buddhism and Buddhist practice and pretty much no one else. This though, is not a bad thing as Ward’s prose is easy to read, he manages to convey his ideas somewhat effectively, and the ideas the text presents are rather simple and basic. Still, I believe that Dr. Ward has missed the great opportunity to create a comprehensive and intriguing text that looks at the history of American racism from a Buddhist perspective.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Parallax Press for providing me with an ARC of the book in return for an honest review.

This was a unique book for me, even though I do read a good amount of non-fiction. It is super short (under 100 pages I think) which is attractive even for people who don't often read non-fiction. Regardless of the length, it is a demanding read and is intellectually challenging. There is a large focus on Buddhism which added a dynamic to the discussion of race that I had not previously contemplated. The author also includes several reflection exercises that I think are beneficial for everyone to consider. Overall, I think this was a good introduction to reading non-fiction and to the discussion on race.

** I received this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review **

3.5-4 stars. While I admit I’m probably not the target audience for this essay, I’m very happy I read it. Larry Ward, PhD, leads you through America’s Racial Karma based on his Buddhist education and how it all plays together. He explores the concept of seeds of thought and how simple changes in these seeds can change our life trajectory and overall consciousness.

Very eye opening and will lead to deeper introspection on how I can add to the karma as well.

My thanks to NetGalley and Parallax Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.
Larry Ward, PhD & Zen Buddhist teacher has written an inspiring and illuminating book that is a must read especially now, with the challenges facing America.
As a child of 11, Larry was shot by police playing baseball in the wrong place. Years later as an adult, his home was firebombed by racists. He experienced first hand the harsh realities of hatred, racism and pain. This is not only Larry’s journey to heal but one for ourselves.
In France, at the Plum Village Monastery and the exiled home of Thich Nhat Hanh, Larry finds a way to heal and transform himself. Larry’s short, reflective essays help us look at our inner and outer lives. How our thoughts on race were shaped, why racial alienation continues and how we can free ourselves of years of fear and violence and build a new foundation of trust, community and understanding. With healing, there is vulnerability but that is the risk one must take to move forward. Using Buddhist philosophy, psychology and teachings Larry gives us the tools of transformation to a brighter and more positive future.
Highly recommended.

Timely and well-written.

I found 'America's racial karma' to be thought provoking, insightful and a great learning experience. The author's own anecdotes, those of others and historical factual information allowed the book to be varied and therefore kept me interested. I really enjoyed the references to Buddhism, to trauma and healing and the 'guidance' at the end around the next steps we can all take to address this important issue. I found this combination to be a calming approach to a challenging topic, and all in all it helped the discussion to 'make sense' to me.
Although academic in places, this book is accessible for all, and short enough to keep the attention of those who may not always enjoy non-fictional reading!