A profoundly moving book of essays grounded in her life story. Her descriptive writing evokes a sense of place and emotion as we learn about her childhood in Chicago and visits to her grandparents in the south. Writing allows her to escape and examine the state of things around her. Her essay about deciding on whether to attend a Master's program in creative writing in Alabama vs. Minnesota is incredibly eye-opening. Even though Alabama had visible racist symbols (confederate flags everywhere), when she chooses to attend the program in Minnesota, she experiences microaggressions as the only Black female in the program. She comes to the realization that there are confederate flags everywhere, even in places where we can't see them. We also learn about her struggles to become a mother (and a devastating pre-term birth) and the hurdles of buying a house in South Minneapolis as a Black couple. This is an important read that puts a human face on important topics we hear about or experience first-hand. Kudos to the University Of Minnesota Press for publishing this book too. Powerful!

Thank you to Netgalley and University of Minnesota Press for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

Coleman does a stellar job creating connections between the essays and balancing her usage of academic language to not be overwhelming. With interesting anecdotes that relate to the subject matter. A solid read that I am tempted to pick up for my dad to dig into as well.

In this book, the author delves into the complexity of writing her family's story—a task that's both a duty and an honor. She skillfully navigates the tensions between American ideals and the realities faced by Black people. Through a mix of personal experience and broader societal critique, Coleman paints a vivid picture of what it means to be a Black woman in America.

I enjoyed Traveling without Moving. It challenged me and educated me. As a white middle-aged woman, I appreciated Coleman's honest, compelling essays that gave me a peek into the world she experiences--so far from my own. This is an important book that digs intellectually and authentically into racial bias entrenched in the United States. It's a conversation starter for sure, inviting all of us to be part of the dialogue.