by Ijeoma Oluo
First published 2020
Ijeoma Oluo dissects the dangerous fiction that hard work alone leads to success. From the myth's origins in post-Civil War racism to its modern manifestation in tech bro culture, "Mediocre" exposes how this lie perpetuates systemic inequalities. Oluo interweaves personal stories and sharp cultural analysis, challenging readers to confront their own role in upholding a system that favors the privileged. In this searing indictment of America's preferred self-image, she argues that true progress demands we abandon the go-getter ideology and reckon with our collective failure to create genuine opportunity for all.
Genres: american, social-issues, non-fiction, 21st-century, activism, academic
Vibes: critical, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: challenging-the-status-quo, social-commentary
336 pages · Paperback