Author: Morgan Jerkins
Published: 2018
Language: English
Pages: 272
Rating: 3/5
Summary:
In this book, Morgan Jerkins, explores what it means to be, to live and to exist as a black woman in America today.
Review:
This was a really solid essay collection and you can clearly tell that Jerkins harbours great talent.
This is a really insightful and fascinating portrait of one woman's experience as a black girl and eventually a black woman. The writing is raw and brutal and doesn't shy away from anything; I applaud her for getting personal and going places that should be natural, but are rarely explored. The stories of her being a young girl, growing up and trying to find her place in what is, unquestionably, a very white world, was eye-opening, educational and incredibly interesting.
I think, for me, I found it a bit difficult to engage with this book though and a part of that probably has to do with the fact that I'm not American. I also think, on occasion, it borders on stereotypical and generalising, for instance when it comes to portrayal of the very elusive, straight, thin, conservative and wealthy white woman, and it sometimes seems as if this is the only white woman that exists, which is obviously inaccurate. In the grand scheme of this book, I don't think it really matters though because that's not the issue of this book, but I did notice.
I think this is a really interesting book filled with ideas and issues that need more spotlight and more conversation and for that it's well worth the read.
You can read more about it on Goodreads
