Book Review: Sky Full of Elephants
Imagine a world where oppression didn’t exist. A world where Black people could exist without fear of being shot by the police for simply sleeping in their bed. A world where Black boys can be free to live in joy and Black girls no longer had to worry about being sexualized before they’re old enough to view PG-13 movies. Well, in “Sky Full of Elephants,” Cebo Campbell takes the reader through a journey of the utopia that is a world with no white people.
“Sky Full of Elephants” is Story of identity. Identity in relations to others. Identity as we define it ourselves. Identity as an oppressed group, but what is that identity when the oppressor is removed? When the fear, anger and guilt are gone. Written a few years after “the event” (one day as if in a trance, all white people systematically walked to the nearest body of water drowning themselves), the book describes a world where Black people define themselves and are free from the restraints of racism and discrimination.
As I was reading, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the idea of what it would really look like in a world where Black people can simply exist. Would we be better off? Would we ultimately find additional ways to create division within our community? Campbell’s narrative does an amazing job of unpacking a world with no white people and it impact on the evolution of Black identity. Here are a few of my takeaways:
There’s a contentious scene in the book. Guns are drawn. No one wants to make the next move until finally a character says, “if we can’t stop shooting each other now, when will we?” Whew. The need to protect oneself is innate, even if the supposed enemy is removed. This scene is not only revealing to existing struggles in our community, but it also forces you to consider the “why”
We versus them. When the oppressor is no longer a factor, would will build community or find another way to perpetuate division.
“Black carries us.” Blackness carries us through grief, triumphs, happiness and celebration. Black identity is a critical piece of survival. An essential piece of.
Our history didn’t start with slavery. Sometimes we need that reminder. When the remnants of slavery aren’t as evident, how will our identity be impacted?
Not giving too much away, by one of the protagonist’s goal was to “fix black collective consciousness.” Even without “the man,” is that even possible?
Apparently so! There’s a machine that helps heal Black consciousness. In real life, what does that look like? HBCUs. Watching Dr. Umar on YouTube?… I wonder.
This book is “what if” in action, but instead of delighting in the possibility of a more equitable society, it forces the reader to reckon with the challenges within the Black community. A must read for those who stand firmly in their Black consciousness or those on the journey to discovering it.