A Colony in a Nation

Hayes writes about a difficult reality about open racial divisions most would like to deny, but he presents it with humility and makes it personal in a way that I understood. Should be required reading.

Comparing minority, mostly African American communities with the wayward, second class citizen American Colonies is a perspective I would have never imagined. Chris Hayes makes the connection with ease. While technically British citizens, American colonists were subjected to the arbitrary abuses of British soldiers and the collections of taxes, fees and fines, often at the discretion and whims of soldiers and constables, working for politicians and all working for the Crown. Colonists did what every repressed human does--finds ways to survive. Smuggling, bootlegging, and any other means to make a buck, is what our founding fathers did. They were viewed contemptuously by the British, who called them barbaric, animals, and criminals. Funny how one's perspective changes depending upon which side you are on. Just as the early colonists scrapping and defying laws, Hayes makes the case to view African American communities much the same way. Although technically citizens of our country, the uneven application of laws and over-policing make these communities seem separate and unequal. While white communities enjoy relative autonomy and see little police enforcement, Black communities feel the weight of enforcement in nearly everything they do. This disparate enforcement, along with its heavy fines and penalties make Black communities feel like a Colony in a Nation. Fantastic read.

Very well written and researched. The book does ramble a bit - its more an observational pastiche and head scratcher than it is a straightforward thesis (or series of them). The attempt throughout to compare to the law enforcement bubble that is college/university for the more well off felt both obvious and strained. I liked it, a lot, but more clarity in teasing out the correlation of race and crime vs the causality of poverty and crime would have helped. To what extent to these issues of race give a handy out to racist right wing politicians and left wingers who are afraid to address issues of class head on? I feel like the book lays out some terrific research but hesitates on reaching conclusions just when it gets interesting. Would have appreciated actual footnotes rather than the chapter endnotes.

Easy read on the primary society called the Nation vs similar experience in poverty stricken areas referred to as the colony. You will see the world differently after reading this. We are truly two different societies occupying one country.

First off, this book did not make me feel anything. It did not invoke an emotional response. It was very well written. I liked how it delve into thr history of not just the United States of America but other country's. I liked that it was heavy in statistics, data and first hand knolage. It has humor but never lost focus on the crulity or the stupidity. It was a balanced and care book and it said things I mostly already knew but with more facts and more pruff. It is what you think it is. It is a book about inequality and fear and cultural ignorance, and poverty. It is a good book and I think it was worth reading.

This book presents some ideas that have been discussed before but in such a unique and thoughtful way that you will be unable to stop seeing the world in different way. Mr. Hayes posits a thought experiment that should confront every voter whenever they enter the polling place. By choosing X or Y candidate, what system am I supporting, what policies am I supporting and what is the impact on both individuals and the larger society.

If you are concerned about the direction of our country, this book should be part of your curriculum. Even if you disagree with some of the ideas, it will make you think about justice in a new way.

Chris' book is full of fascinating observations and perspectives. I am amazed to see such depth of wisdom from a writer who is so young. My biggest taking away, besides his portrayal of life in America as being comprised of two groups, members of the Nation versus members of the Colony, is his keen observation on how our legal system has leveled down to where we are today.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a better understanding of our country. In its narrative of how we got to where we are may be the clue to how we begin to fix some of our most pressing social challenges.

This is a central and profoundly important book for any American, and really any person in the world.

Nearly all of humanity has been trending towards living in large empires for several thousand years.

Most of such empires have cared very little about how the lowest strata in their empires fare, in fact, nearly all celebrated their oppression and lived off their cheap labor.

Western empires, such as the British, and the American, have always tried to justify their power over vast areas by stipulating that, no matter how many shortcomings their world had, their empire was at least making life better for everyone in the empire.

In the US we have experienced this notion as the notion of progress.

What have been the greatest American shortcomings? Poverty and race.

Chris Hayes does an absolutely masterful job of revealing the power of both to create caste, the role of white fear as a 400 year foundation for the structure of American society, and the key ingredient in deciding much of our history. Hayes is one of the few authors not from the oppressed class that America has created and insists on maintaining, to strip the covers off and let all see that ours is very much indeed a highly oppressive empire, and that every time we think we have progressed (ending slavery, ending Jim Crow, establishing voting rights), we refuse to change (starting Jim Crow after slavery, crippling political power after Voting Rights Act, mass incarceration after Jim Crow, the US police state).

The privilege of the white Hayes calls The Nation, and the subjugation of the black he calls The Colony.

If you ever dream of the real American Dream, the one Lincoln really dreamed, and MKL, and all of us who care, read this book, learn how everyone in America supports the notion of a Nation and everyone in America supports the notion of a Colony. We will never actually progress to our ideal until we see this, and join together to end it.

Thank you Chris Hayes for a clear eye, a caring heart, and the strength of purpose to lay it all out for all to see.

Arthur Lavin MD

As a former U. S. Marine Corps Counter-intelligence Officer in Vietnam, I can appreciate and relate to what Hays writes about. All the problems he uncounted haunted us doing intelligence work in Nam. While there are many redacted items within the book it is compelling in showing how screwed up the U. S. is when it comes to gathering, disseminating and utilizing foreign and domestic information. If you are interested in the subject matter this is a GREAT read. My thanks to Chris Hayes for sharing.

Well researched and uses appropriate statistics. It makes the reader think about how we as Americans view incarceration, policing in general, and how these views differ from other rich democracies. I will never think about the tea party, the American revolution,.nor the book, the Scarlett letter in the same way again. Good job,.Mr Hayes

Chris Hayes has written about the justice issues mired in racism that had to be written by a white writer to provide the kind of understanding white voters/citizens need to grasp about the dangers and indignities perpetrated on black and brown Americans. He draws significantly on his own personal situation and experiences that reinforce his message. The book is short and beautifully written. I consider it a must read.

Chris Hayes discusses the differences in how police and the justice system treat American citizens from different areas of the same city. The Poor and people of color are treated as second class citizens and receive much harsher sentences for the same crimes than do fine, upstanding people who have a melanin deficiency. We will see a lot more of this from the Great Orange Hell Beast's regime.

The book held my interest. I am looking forward to others in this of this type. The ideas are scarily believable since I have lived in Milwaukee and Chicago. Let's quit blaming the victims of the last 35 years of absurd policies. I can envision a city with beautiful, multi-cultural neighborhoods where many different customs are allowed to work together.

I find the book breathlessly captivating. The dichotomy between a Nation and a Colony could not be starker to me as an ex-denizen of a British colony in the heart of Africa. The pain and ills thrust upon the modern American colony by the nation in the hands of the Trumps of the 21st century are lain threadbare by Hayes in very strong terms. If he is planning a sequel to this stingingly accusatory tome, I hope he shares his views/suggestions about solutions. As it stands, this book has aptly named the victim and the victimizer. Without intimating that the status quo should continue in perpetuity, the author needs to shed light on possible remedies. I recommend the edition to every serious individual concerned about the events that have dominated main street including atrocities committed in the name of law and order.

Excellent job of capturing a realistic and difficult portrayal of race relations in this country. I'm often struck by how racial hate crimes fade quickly in and out of the mainstream media with little alarm while any aggression by a foreign agent in another country brings about hours and sometimes days of coverage. For many of us people of color, the enemy can very well be a neighbor.

I had realized the separation, of course, but he opened my eyes to the extent of the isolation and how insidious the racism still is. One forgets when one does not live near it and doesn't think that way oneself. I really appreciate my eyes and mind being opened. Thank you.

A very informative book and a great read. It shows a very important side of the race issues in our country. Chris Hayes is a very good writer and an astute observer of problems in our country. Thank you for providing this book.A Colony in a Nation

I'm always trying to understand the actions and attitudes of people....especially those who don't live "in my little, sheltered corner of the world." The book easy to read and makes some good points. It was worth the investment in time and money for me.

It was interesting reading the prospective from this White journalist. I found the book enlightening and agree with the observations of the author. I like that the author included facts and history alongbwith his take of the situations.

Chris provides a bald and insightful dive into the way we both perceive and apply the concept of "law and order" in our society... depending on ones citizenship (i.e. privilege and race) within either the Colony or the Nation. Regrettably, though we're programmed to believe America is the world's exemplar of freedom and the rule of law, Chris' work here suggests that justice is ever elusive.

Chris Hayes writes a compelling first hand account with tireless research in his new book. He shows how race relations in today’s America follow a treacherous path first used by King George III in colonial times. If you’ve been unsure about the BLM movement, it becomes obvious with this revealing work.

I watch Chris Hayes regularly on MSNBC and was anxious to read "A Colony In A Nation". He did not disappoint. The book is raw with insight, intellect and fact. I've referred it to several people AND purchased it as a gift to my son.

This book is brilliant. The author's ability to draw parallels between American colonial rule, and the physical and emotional violence of European colonization of Africa and the Caribbean, is brilliant. He takes a historical perspective and easily weaves between statistical analysis and distributional policy outcomes. Each chapter brings a different perspective, which analyses the difference between a "black colonial state" and a white nation. The book unpacks criminal justice policy, race relations, housing policy, and economic disparity. I recommend this book to anyone that cares about the American political system and its ability to maintain a fully integrated body politic.

Incisively researched and drafted study of the disbalance and potential counterbalance of two socially, economically and predjudiously (and even militarily in regard to policing policies) urban sectors of a nation that was originally a colony, now a nation of "the other" within its own fragile battle with inclusiveness, equity, social justice. Hayes gets IT and analyzes with clarity, sensitivity and a foundation for ongoing consideration, dialogue and action.

Great book.... Great topic.... Great writer.... Wonderful treatise on a difficult problem and deplorable situation we have. Should open your eyes and mind regarding how law authority treats individuals inequatibly..... and wrongly!

Well, you need to know more. Read this book. This book is for those who want to learn more about our society, how our culture has been influenced to divide and separate. The book is interesting and you will read it quickly

I was impressed how much history and sociology went into the book. Very worth the time and passed it along to others. Very interesting perspective and well-written and researched. Congratulations, Chris!

A good reminder not to allow our perceptions to go without continually testing them against new findings/understanding of cause and effect. You can always depend on Chris Hayes to help you see issues from all sides. .

So many intuitive observations. Reads like a biography , history lesson , discourse on long-standing racial disparities in America; as well as a first person narrative of one man's lifelong experiences and observations. Inspires us to continue the fight against the Trumpian administration definition of a "return to law and order"!