---
product_id: 6854064
title: "Citizen: An American Lyric"
price: "120 zł"
currency: PLN
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
url: https://www.desertcart.pl/products/6854064-citizen-an-american-lyric
store_origin: PL
region: Poland
---

# Citizen: An American Lyric

**Price:** 120 zł
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** Citizen: An American Lyric
- **How much does it cost?** 120 zł with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.pl](https://www.desertcart.pl/products/6854064-citizen-an-american-lyric)

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## Description

desertcart.com: Citizen: An American Lyric: 9781555976903: Rankine, Claudia: Books

Review: Huge respect - This work defies classification. It isn't prose poetry (though I understand why it's put in that category) so much as an impressionistic collage of racist incidents and meditations on identity and the body (both the physical body and the cultural "body"). It could even be called a meta-analysis, not in the sense of study of studies, as the word is usually used, but as an analysis that goes beyond the normal gathering of information. Maybe a meta-synthesis. In any case, it's a monumental work. I can't really talk about "liking" this book. In parts it was abstract in a way that lost me. However, I have a huge respect for it. It covers so much ground about racial division, prejudice, the body, identity, and the ways we harm one another. Though there are many choice moments that made me groan or shrink or nod my head, the most striking one for me was this: because white men can't police their imagination black men are dying Despite the gravity of what it handles, this book is a fairly fast read. The formatting is generous and artful in its use of white space and complementary works of art (a touch that I love). Don't let the idea of a book-length or long poem intimidate you. Citizen is a book that begs to be read multiple times with groups of people. Any high school teachers or professors out there should definitely read it and consider using it in classes.
Review: Read with 18 year old white college students with some success (from a professor) - I am reviewing this book specifically with attention to reading in my class called Citizen and Self which is about how we can live better among each other, increase participation in democratic life, and learn how to collaboratively solve problems. I read it with mostly first year college students in Kentucky. Almost all of my students are white. While some students had a hard time with the ideas - and some with the poetry, overall I thought it worked well as long as I reminded them that the book is not directed "at" them but is rather an account of someone's experience and a way to understand the life and challenges that people face in our country. I still had some students who were defensive about the book, or thought that she was being "too sensitive" but by and large the students found it interesting, helpful at seeing a different perspective and helpful in understanding the experiences of African American people in the United States. Most of them said something like, "I had no idea that this was so hard" or "that racism is still so prevalent" or that "the small things every day can be so difficult and become so big and difficult." It was certainly a challenge for them to read but I think overall was helpful. Some of the students were even able to engage with the prose/poems from a literary perspective, talking about the trajectory of the book/poems and the literary devices that she used to draw us in and help the reader see things in a different way. Teaching about race is difficult, but for college students most of whom have never had any exposure to complex ideas about race or racism, short of the basic "you shouldn't treat people of another race badly" this book was a good step in engaging them in the complex and difficult questions of race, justice, fairness, and struggle in the U.S. and also helpful in allowing them to get some practice in reading something with a non-traditional form.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #7,326 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1 in Black & African American Poetry (Books) #3 in Arts & Photography Criticism #13 in Essays (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,316 Reviews |

## Images

![Citizen: An American Lyric - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61lla6QqQ2L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Huge respect
*by J***N on March 20, 2025*

This work defies classification. It isn't prose poetry (though I understand why it's put in that category) so much as an impressionistic collage of racist incidents and meditations on identity and the body (both the physical body and the cultural "body"). It could even be called a meta-analysis, not in the sense of study of studies, as the word is usually used, but as an analysis that goes beyond the normal gathering of information. Maybe a meta-synthesis. In any case, it's a monumental work. I can't really talk about "liking" this book. In parts it was abstract in a way that lost me. However, I have a huge respect for it. It covers so much ground about racial division, prejudice, the body, identity, and the ways we harm one another. Though there are many choice moments that made me groan or shrink or nod my head, the most striking one for me was this: because white men can't police their imagination black men are dying Despite the gravity of what it handles, this book is a fairly fast read. The formatting is generous and artful in its use of white space and complementary works of art (a touch that I love). Don't let the idea of a book-length or long poem intimidate you. Citizen is a book that begs to be read multiple times with groups of people. Any high school teachers or professors out there should definitely read it and consider using it in classes.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Read with 18 year old white college students with some success (from a professor)
*by E***H on October 27, 2016*

I am reviewing this book specifically with attention to reading in my class called Citizen and Self which is about how we can live better among each other, increase participation in democratic life, and learn how to collaboratively solve problems. I read it with mostly first year college students in Kentucky. Almost all of my students are white. While some students had a hard time with the ideas - and some with the poetry, overall I thought it worked well as long as I reminded them that the book is not directed "at" them but is rather an account of someone's experience and a way to understand the life and challenges that people face in our country. I still had some students who were defensive about the book, or thought that she was being "too sensitive" but by and large the students found it interesting, helpful at seeing a different perspective and helpful in understanding the experiences of African American people in the United States. Most of them said something like, "I had no idea that this was so hard" or "that racism is still so prevalent" or that "the small things every day can be so difficult and become so big and difficult." It was certainly a challenge for them to read but I think overall was helpful. Some of the students were even able to engage with the prose/poems from a literary perspective, talking about the trajectory of the book/poems and the literary devices that she used to draw us in and help the reader see things in a different way. Teaching about race is difficult, but for college students most of whom have never had any exposure to complex ideas about race or racism, short of the basic "you shouldn't treat people of another race badly" this book was a good step in engaging them in the complex and difficult questions of race, justice, fairness, and struggle in the U.S. and also helpful in allowing them to get some practice in reading something with a non-traditional form.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Powerful and Thought-Provoking: Citizen: An American Lyric
*by K***E on June 5, 2023*

Citizen: An American Lyric is an exceptional and thought-provoking book that delves into the complexities of race, identity, and belonging in America. The author's lyrical and poetic writing style captures the essence of the experiences faced by Black individuals in a society plagued by systemic racism. Through a collection of vignettes, prose, and poetry, the book explores themes of microaggressions, social injustice, and the impact of racism on everyday life. The raw and honest portrayal of these experiences evokes a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to empathy and reflection. Citizen is a vital read that challenges readers to confront their own biases and engage in conversations about race and equality. It serves as a powerful tool for fostering understanding and empathy, making it a must-read for anyone interested in social justice and the pursuit of a more inclusive society.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Citizen: An American Lyric
- A Small Place
- The Reluctant Fundamentalist

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*Product available on Desertcart Poland*
*Store origin: PL*
*Last updated: 2026-01-29*