Absolutely chilling. As in I’m literally shivering while I listen to this audiobook methodically examine the historical truths of how enslavement powered the economic and geographic expansion of our country. Gasps just from today’s drive:

1. Yeah sure we all learned “the invention of the cotton gin revolutionized cotton production.” But did any of us learn in class about exactly *how* more cotton was grown once it could be ginned so very cleanly and efficiently? Dunno about you but my teachers never mentioned the innovations in kidnapping, enslavement, and torture that powered the growing system.

2. And yeah I vaguely know that the “sharecropping” system was bad and it went on for awhile after slavery before it faded out because… dunno again, maybe better public policy, stronger consciences, social protest? Nope, it was the invention of the mechanical cotton picker. No pity involved. Just profit.

3. “Plantations”? Try saying “slave labor camps” instead and see how that changes things.

4. Amost threw up as I was listening and suddenly passed a helpful sign posted on a bridge in downtown LA: “Stopped by police? Stay safe! Stay in your car and don’t make sudden moves.” On which someone had scrawled their own helpful clarification: “PHILANDO CASTILE”

“The Half Has Never Been Told,” indeed. Not to me. Or if it was, I wasn’t listening. Trying now. Trying hard.