We Need New Stories
The Myths that Subvert Freedom
by Nesrine Malik
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Pub Date May 11 2021 | Archive Date Apr 30 2021
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Description
A rigorous examination of five political myths used to deflect and discredit demands for social justice.
In 2016, candidate Donald Trump declared: “I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct.” Reeling from his victory, Democrats blamed the corrosive effect of “identity politics.” In We Need New Stories, Nesrine Malik explains that both of these arguments are political myths—variations on the lie that society needs no reform.
Exploring how these and other common political myths function, she explains how they are employed to subvert calls for equality by historically disenfranchised groups. Interweaving reportage with an incendiary analysis of American history and politics, she offers a compelling account of how calls to preserve “free speech” are used against the vulnerable; how a fixation with “wokeness,” “political correctness,” and “cancel culture” is in fact an organized and well-funded campaign by elites; and how the fear of “identity politics” obscures the biggest threat of all—white terrorism. What emerges is a radical framework for understanding American politics and culture.
About the Author: Nesrine Malik is an award-winning British-Sudanese columnist and features writer for the Guardian, a contributing writer for Foreign Policy and a frequent panelist on BBC's Dateline London.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781324007296 |
| PRICE | $23.95 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Carla H, Reviewer
Thanks to @w.w.norton and #netgalley for my e-ARC of Nesrine Malik’s “We Need New Stories: The Myths That Subvert Freedom” (out May 11, 2021).
“It took even longer for me to recognize all the ways history, society and family had leveraged this flattering sense of relative superiority to ensure that we, as women, not only did not question subordination, but competed at suffering it with perfect self-composure.” - Nesrine, Malik.
In this book Malik, a British-Sudanese journalist analyses the most common myths that keep us from being freer. From the myth of “impartial media” and its ugly cousin “all media is fake news”, to gender equality, political correctness, identity politics and free speech. I found myself nodding and yet learning so much all throughout. I absolutely loved it, and I guess it shows when I ended up highlighting in almost 100 different places. This is going to be a work of non-fiction and I will be turning to again and again
Reviewer 774749
For more reviews, follow me on IG @literaturewithalatte.
In this book, British-Sudanese journalist, Nesrine Malik, breaks down the myths that can be attributed to the division and discontent we see in our politics today. This book was incredibly eye-opening. Through rigorous analysis and research, the author debunked some of the myths that , whether we have realized or not, we find ourselves believing as truth or taking for granted. The six political myths dissected in the book are: reliable narrator, political correctness crisis, free speech crisis, harmful identity politics, national exceptionalism and gender equality. The author highlights how these myths have permeated our culture and how they are used to distract or even shut down social justice discussions and movements. This book was truly thought-provoking and was an exercise in critical thinking.
Genre: Non-Fiction/Politics
Publication Date: May 11, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and W. W. Norton & Company for my copy!
Kim J, Reviewer
This book is perfect for this moment for me. We are undergoing some generational changes in our high school teaching staff and this book is so important. We need to recognize that the history we have learned in the white washed history. This book is an incredible supplement to our basic course work. I love it.
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