Charles M. Blow is a journalist and columnist for the New York Times. He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Fire Shut Up In My Bones. In his latest book, The Devil You Know, Blow essentially proposes a reversal of the Great Migration. Blow argues that there is a need for African-Americans living in the Northern States of America to resettle in the Deep South. For Blow, this is a ‘remedy for overcoming racial injustice in America’ as he believes that mass migration will increase black political influence in the South. Blow also argues that the Great Migration has created a situation where the North is equally, if not even more so, racially intolerant than the South: ‘Racism is everywhere in this country, just different shades, all cousins’. He also goes on to suggest that there are more economic opportunities in the South for African-Americans, reminding readers that people migrated to the North for the same reason.
Blow’s reasoning behind his proposal is convincing. However, he adds the most strength to his argument when he reflects on police brutality in the North. Blow begins the book with a heart-wrenching account of George Floyd’s murder, writing: ‘he called out for his dead mother. He called out for his children’. Floyd’s murder sparked BLM protests across the world, but Blow suggests many treated these protests as a ‘social justice Coachella’, a fashion trend. Hence the reverse Great Migration is necessary to enact real change. Additionally, Blow provides a harrowing account of the murder of Tamir Rice – a twelve-year-old boy shot in broad daylight by the police for playing with a toy gun. He also includes personal anecdotes here, recounting the time his son called him after being detained at gunpoint by the police upon exiting Yale Library. These accounts not only put Blow’s argument into perspective, but they also effectively make his point as he opens minds by first opening hearts.
Moreover, Blow’s prose is incandescent, laced with emotion and passion. He makes each of his points clearly, spelling out and summarising his argument throughout the book. However, there are times when his argument feels oversimplified. He finishes the book by stating, ‘the promise of real power is made manifest. Seize it. Migrate. Move’. Whilst this is powerful, it also makes migration sound easy, neglecting to realise that migration is not possible for everyone. He also backs up his argument by saying that there are more economic opportunities in the South. However, he does not quantify this with statistics.
Although The Devil You Know has its drawbacks, it is still extremely insightful, and Blow makes his case rather convincingly.
The Devil You Know is out now, but will be available to purchase in paperback from October 28.
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