Let the Record Show
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Let the Record Show
In Let the Record Show, renowned writer and activist Sarah Schulman crafts a deeply compelling narrative about ACT UP, the influential group of activists that fundamentally shifted the landscape of the AIDS crisis in just six pivotal years. This broad and eclectic coalition, composed of individuals from diverse races, genders, sexualities, and backgrounds, harnessed their collective frustrations, intelligence, and creativity to challenge and change the status quo. Their efforts were marked by high-profile actions, including storming the FDA and NIH, initiating needle exchange programs in New York, and taking over Grand Central Terminal.
ACT UP fought tirelessly to alter the legal definition of AIDS to include women, transformed the American insurance industry, and utilised art and advertising as potent tools to amplify their message. Their confrontations were not limited to corporate greed and government indifference— they boldly opposed formidable entities like The New York Times, the Catholic Church, and the pharmaceutical industry. ACT UP's multifaceted and intersectional approach not only elevated the plight of people living with AIDS but also confronted and shifted societal prejudices that had led to their marginalisation.
Drawing from over two hundred interviews with ACT UP members, Schulman delivers a meticulous and revelatory exploration of the group's internal dynamics, conflicts, achievements, and eventual dissolution. Her striking prose and incisive analysis offer invaluable lessons for modern activists. Through Let the Record Show, Schulman—a luminary in queer literature and thought—dissects the 'how' and 'why' of ACT UP's revolutionary impact. She elucidates how a group of determined outcasts managed to effect lasting change in America, ultimately crafting a sustainable future for innumerable people around the globe.
Schulman's account is not just an historical recounting but a testament to the power of grassroots activism, capturing the raw energy and uncompromising spirit of those who fought for justice at the height of the AIDS epidemic. It is a long-overdue reassessment of ACT UP's legacy, illuminating both the triumphs and the turbulence within the movement, and ensuring that the efforts of these trailblazing activists are recognised and remembered.
Let the Record Show is a definitive account of an era marked by unprecedented challenges and extraordinary resolve, offering readers a profound understanding of the ways in which activism can transform lives and societies. Schulman’s narrative is a vital addition to the historical record, resonating deeply in the context of today’s ongoing battles for equality and healthcare for all.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Let the Record Show by Sarah Schulman is celebrated for its comprehensive and immersive account of ACT UP, an influential political organisation during the AIDS crisis. Reviewers commend its depth, mixing testimony and history to offer a crucial narrative on activism. The book is described as both a historical document and a contemporary guide, praised for highlighting diverse voices and the complexities within the movement. It is noted for its readability despite its length, engaging readers deeply and serving as a vital resource for understanding and inspiring social change.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781250849120
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 17 May 2022
Country: United States
Imprint: St Martin's Press
Illustration: 16 Pages of Black-and-White Images; 21 Black-and-White Images in Text / 2 Appendixes, Time Line, Index
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 33.0mm
Width: 136.0mm
Height: 208.0mm
Weight: 552g
Pages: 752
About the Author
Sarah Schulman is the author of more than twenty works of fiction (including The Cosmopolitans, Rat Bohemia, and Girls, Visions and Everything), nonfiction (among them Stagestruck, My American History, The Gentrification of the Mind), and theater (Carson McCullers, Manic Flight Reaction, and more), and the producer and screenwriter of several feature films (The Owls, Mommy Is Coming, and United in Anger, among others). Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Slate, and many other outlets. She is a Distinguished Professor of Humanities at College of Staten Island, a Fellow at the New York Institute of Humanities, the recipient of multiple fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the New York Foundation for the Arts, and was presented in 2018 with Publishing Triangle's Bill Whitehead Award. She is also the cofounder of the MIX New York LGBT Experimental Film and Video Festival, and the co-director of the groundbreaking ACT UP Oral History Project. A lifelong New Yorker, she is a longtime activist for queer rights and female empowerment, and serves on the advisory board of Jewish Voice for Peace.
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