Book Review: “Well, That Escalated Quickly: Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist” by Franchesca Ramsey
“Well, That Escalated Quickly: Memoirs and Mistakes of an Accidental Activist” by Franchesca Ramsey (2018)
Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir, Humor
Page Length: 256 pages (hardcover edition)
Synopsis:
Franchesca Ramsey didn’t set out to be an activist. Or a comedian. Or a commentator on identity, race, and culture, really. But then her YouTube video “What White Girls Say. . . to Black Girls” went viral. Twelve million views viral. Faced with an avalanche of media requests, fan letters, and hate mail, she had two choices: Jump in and make her voice heard or step back and let others frame the conversation. After a crash course in social justice and more than a few foot-in-mouth moments, she realized she had a unique talent and passion for breaking down injustice in America in ways that could make people listen and engage.
In her first book, Ramsey uses her own experiences as an accidental activist to explore the many ways we communicate with each other–from the highs of bridging gaps and making connections to the many pitfalls that accompany talking about race, power, sexuality, and gender in an unpredictable public space…the internet.
WELL, THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY includes Ramsey’s advice on dealing with internet trolls and low-key racists, confessions about being a former online hater herself, and her personal hits and misses in activist debates with everyone from bigoted Facebook friends and misguided relatives to mainstream celebrities and YouTube influencers. With sharp humor and her trademark candor, Ramsey shows readers we can have tough conversations that move the dialogue forward, rather than backward, if we just approach them in the right way. (description from Goodreads)
Review:
I may be a bit biased to this book since I’m a fan of Ramsey’s work. I’ve been following her since her big YouTube video was released years ago and I like the variety of content she covers on her channel and her work on the show Decoded. This memoir is raw and very honest as Ramsey describes her rise to YouTube fame and her backlash from those who don’t agree with her work. She talks very openly about her vulnerability to be vocal online and even how the toxicity of social media got to her like many others before.
She shares, in great detail, many of her various experiences from working on YouTube, The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, and even different gigs she’s worked. It was interesting to hear more about her career, how she got started, and even get a closer look at what goes on behind the scenes. I like that she owns up to her mistakes and takes them as learning experiences. Nobody is perfect, and she teaches her audience that we can not only grow from our mistakes but also learn more about the world around us.
The book is set up into nicely written essays which had me laughing, while also touching a variety of serious topics. I liked her points on how to handle hater and trolls in real life and online, things she’s given up (TV shows that are misogynistic, phrases with harmful language), the art of un-friending toxic people online, self-care, and call out culture.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was well-written, thoughtful, timely, and I gained even more respect for Ramsey’s work. I highly recommend you check out one of her videos if you have the time as well as this book!
Final Verdict:
