
Safiya Sinclair's memoir exposes the patriarchal chains of Rastafarian Jamaica through poetic defiance. Named one of Obama's favorites and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, this lyrical rebellion against "Babylon" asks: What happens when a woman's voice becomes her most dangerous weapon?
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Standing on a veranda at midnight, a young woman searches for the distant sea beyond a veil of trees. She has just defied her father for the first time, driving him from the house in fury. In the mist below, she glimpses her possible future-a voiceless woman cowering under a Rastaman's gaze. This powerful moment captures the essence of Safiya Sinclair's journey: to cut that submissive woman out of herself and forge her own path. Named one of Barack Obama's favorite books of 2023, her memoir resonates with anyone who has struggled to find their voice against oppressive traditions. What happens when the paradise of childhood becomes a prison? When does religious devotion cross into control? These questions form the backbone of a story that shows how poetry can become a lifeline when everything else is taken away.
Break down key ideas from How To Say Babylon into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Distill How To Say Babylon into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Experience How To Say Babylon through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Get the How To Say Babylon summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.