Revolution Books — Local services in New York

I would like to share my experience with Revolution Books, and this is a revision of my original review. I believe it is more helpful to the community and to other parents if I add clarity.

My older child, who is 17, did non-paid volunteer work there over the summer. She seemed to enjoy the experience, particularly the conversations with older volunteers at the store. Toward the end of the summer, my younger child (13) visited the store with a friend, and both of them signed up to volunteer as well, including providing their phone numbers and birthdays.

A few days later, my younger daughter received a call from the bookstore. The caller encouraged her to join a political demonstration at Columbia University. She told me she wanted to go, but I explained that I did not feel it was safe or appropriate at her age, especially given how unpredictable such events can become. Despite my concerns, she and her older sister decided to leave the house to attend.

Not knowing who had called or what the protest involved, I phoned the bookstore. One employee answered but, after I explained the situation and asked whether the store was aware that my daughter is only 13, he hung up on me. I went to the store directly, where I spoke with two adults. One acknowledged making the call and apologized, saying she had not realized my daughter was under 18. However, another individual pointed at me, told me to leave, and said I should “talk to an attorney” if I had an issue. I felt dismissed and disrespected, which only heightened my worry for my children’s safety.

At that point, I approached nearby police officers for help. They kindly assisted me in locating my children and bringing them home safely. On the way back, the officers explained to my children that continued direct outreach from adults at the store without parental consent could have legal consequences. They advised my younger daughter to block the caller’s number.

Later, I texted the caller to clarify that while I was open to my children volunteering at the bookstore, I wanted to be informed and made it clear that they were not permitted to participate in politically charged protests or rallies. A few days afterward, Branda, the store manager, reached out to request my permission for my children to help with book sales, which my older child did a few times. When Branda learned that I had posted a review, she asked me to remove it.

Instead of deleting my review, I feel it is important to provide this context so other parents are fully aware. The bookstore does offer opportunities for young people to volunteer, but families should also know that political rallies and protests are part of the activities. For younger teens in particular, these events may carry risks that parents need to consider carefully.

I share this experience not to escalate conflict, but to encourage open communication, caution, and awareness. I hope this helps other families make thoughtful choices about whether and how their children engage with...

My partner and I were visiting NY to see family, and my dad brought us to this revolutionary bookstore. I was really excited to go to a revolutionary book store in Harlem because it has so much radical black history there, and I assumed that this book store would be connected to it. However, the first thing I noticed was how white the book store was. And I wondered if it actually was connected to the black history there.

Even still, the people seemed nice and there were a lot of interesting books to look at, so we still took a look around.

The first thing we saw when we walked into the store was a large poster of a man named Bob Avakian. The poster kind of looked like it was for a cult, but I figured it wasn’t because that would be weird to see in a revolutionary book store. However, it was odd to see so many fliers and printouts of this man everywhere. But I didn't think too much about it until my partner and I checked out and the clerk handed my partner a print out of Bob Avakian saying, "He's the most important political leader of our time!" I tried to hide my disbelief as I looked at the photo of this older white man who I and most people have never heard of, then looked back at the clerk, then looked back at the photo, and then back at the clerk. And in the politest way I could manage asked, "...Really?"

"He might be white, but he truly is the most important political leader of our time." The clerk insisted, and continued to explain why this white man who gave off cult vibes was so important. I quickly hit my limit and said, "Sure sounds like it." as I walked away and left my partner to listen.

When my partner and I got home, we were curious about Bob, and what made him the most important political leader of our time. So we looked him up. And wow…How could the world go on without extremely important articles such as "BIPOC LEADERSHIP: THERE IS NO SUCH THING" Where Bob talks about how just because you might be black or indigenous doesn't necessarily mean you should be a leader. As a black person, I’m so glad I spent whatever precious time I have reading an article of a white man explaining this.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention his profound article "PRONOUNS AND STARVING CHILDREN" Where he says: "Do you think that any of these children—or their loved ones helplessly watching them die these terrible deaths—cared anything about what pronouns people use to describe themselves?"

Wow, I never realized that people who are literally dying of hunger are more concerned about food than their gender identity. What a gem.

I can see why he’s so important, perhaps even the next Nelson Mandela, Frantz Fanon, or Malcom X.

(And just in case people can’t tell I’m being sarcastic because they can’t hear my tone, I am. I...

They put books by Black writers on the forefront, but when you enter, the staff is all white - which wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the cashier telling me “if we don’t do something soon, people like you [black/brown Americans] are gonna get deported” as he’s begging me to donate money to the store that I was visiting for the first time. As if a donation from my wallet to their store is going to change the political climate! They pretend to care about the political state of the world, but they didn’t tell me to vote or write a congressperson or do anything to actually make a difference, they’re asking me to put donation money in THEIR pockets. That doesn’t benefit anyone but them and certainly won’t stop any potential deportation! I had already made my selection and was standing there wanting to check out as the man lectures me while begging me to donate. I wanted to interrupt and say that I just wanted to check out for the items I selected, but I didn’t want to be rude. Very cult-y, desperate, and unsettling energy. I will not be back due to the racist comment the cashier made towards me. Just another white business that uses Black history to their advantage. If you want to support Black authors, your money is better spent at the Schomburg Shop two blocks...