The Real Ones - by Maya Rupert (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Top political strategist Maya Rupert reveals how, for people of color, being real comes at a cost and authenticity is a privilege the marginalized cannot afford--that is, unless we change the system that keeps sending us the bill. . .

One of Maya Rupert's earliest memories was learning how to be inauthentic. That performance--the ability to make white people feel comfortable about race--has brought her everything from safety to success. As the third Black woman in history to run a presidential campaign, she soon realized that there was no room among society's expectations for our real selves. In The Real Ones, Rupert reveals that for some, inauthenticity is necessary for survival.

In this deeply relatable book, Rupert weaves together pop culture and politics, workplace advice and personal stories. She shares the off-camera experiences on the presidential campaign trail in a post-Obama political landscape. She sees what Taylor Swift and Beyoncé fans expect from our biggest stars--one is admired as the authentic girl next door, the other is required to be a queen. She exposes the trap too many face in the workplace, when we are asked to bring our full selves to work--but not too much. Rupert sees a world where success is at the expense of our authenticity, not because of it.

The Real Ones offers an entirely fresh take on race--that authenticity is a privilege kept from people of color. When we are constantly confronted with the question, "Who do you think you are?" we cannot begin to ask ourselves "Who am I?" In the end, Rupert upends our understanding of authenticity, so that readers can stop questioning who we are, and finally thrive.

Review Quotes

"Maya Rupert offers a frontline look at the ways that dominant society shapes Black identities, and how we all suffer when we can't be our true authentic selves. The Real Ones is necessary reading for anyone navigating workplaces, politics, or systems not set up for all of us."
--Heather McGhee, New York Times bestselling author of The Sum of Us

"Full of candor and expertise, this is such an interesting perspective on the elusive privilege of "authenticity" that's relevant to any context but especially pertinent in this moment of media and politics."
--Meena Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ambitious Girl

"When I'm mad, confused, or depressed about American politics, Maya Rupert is the person I call. She understands the mysterious world of politics and culture as well as anyone I've ever met and she never holds back the truth. The Real Ones is game-changing and brain-changing. This book will change the way you see politics, pop culture, and yourself."
--Hank Green, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

"In her revelatory book, Maya Rupert puts insightful words to the unsettling feeling too many underrepresented people know, of feeling trapped by coded expectations. Deeply validating and beautifully reflective, The Real Ones shows us a path forward to create communities that are more honest and more inclusive of our whole selves, as ultimately a more equitable society is a more successful one."
--Donna Brazile, former Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee and New York Times bestselling author of Hacks

"Maya Rupert captures, with unflinching honesty and grace, the Black professionals' struggle to have both performance and presence in not only work spaces but all spaces--as authenticity can be the very thing that many cannot fully access. The Real Ones so eloquently puts a name to, and gives language to the experience--and her book offers an essential path forward to shifting the narrative."
--Judge Victoria Pratt, retired Chief Judge, former Rutgers University professor, and author of The Power of Dignity

"Maya Rupert's The Real Ones is a MUST read for leaders who want to create more authenticity in today's world. Rupert does a fantastic job breaking down the authenticity paradox, which show how being "real" is not the same for everyone. The writing is smart, witty, and deeply accessible, and shows us how we can dismantle the myths behind what "authenticity" truly means."
--John Wang, author of Big Asian Energy

"[A] perceptive debut... Sharing examples from pop culture, politics, and her own life, Rupert shows how authenticity is a concept used to gatekeep or trip up people with marginalized identities."
--Publishers Weekly

"A thought-provoking examination of the subjective nature of authenticity. Recommended for readers interested in racial justice in politics and pop culture."
--Rebekah Kati, Library Journal

About the Author

Maya Rupert is a political strategist and the third Black woman in history to run a presidential campaign. She is the Executive Vice President at Blue State, and she hosts the podcast When We Win, an NAACP Image Award nominee. A nationally respected voice on progressive politics and the Democratic party, she has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, and NPR; and in The New York Times and The Atlantic. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her cats.