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A review by anya_reading
This Will Be My Undoing: Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America by Morgan Jerkins
I am not sure yet how I would rather this book. I first came across a mention of it on a list of books about race that were recommended for white people to read in order to educate themselves; then, I found this book situated in a curated section near the front of my library under something like "women's writing" or "women's history" or something like that. I flipped open the book to where the author talks about wanting to be a blonde, white cheerleader, and then quickly, greedily added this book to the check-out pile.
When I finally sat down to read further, I feel like this book and this author gave me many things. Thoughts about the body, specifically black, cisgender women's bodies. School bullies, with the complications involved when both parties are black. Ruminations on love, and the painful quest for it, especially as an educated black woman. Learning about life, love, and family, and trying hard to see how far your ambition and hard work will take you. Wanting to blend in, to disappear, but receiving constant reminders that you have failed, and that others are always watching.
While the other parts of the book were enlightening to read as one black woman's views on the world around her, I particularly connected with the author when she detailed her international interests and language learning, because those were past ambitions of mine, too. Likewise, another area that spoke to me was when the author covered portrayal of the black community by non-black people - I agreed with a lot of what she was saying. More black stories should be shown, and more black people should be writing and directing and acting in these stories. The world is full of whiteness, and that shouldn't be the default, because then, we leave out a great many people who aren't white. Representation absolutely matters.
After reading this collection of essays, I am interested to see what this author writes about next. My hope is that, even though she did not get in to a creative writing program, that she still writes some creative fiction or collaborates in screenplays, plays, or other media writing. Also, the reader part of me would love to know who her favorite authors are in English, Japanese, and Russian - she clearly reads a lot, and I'm sure she must have thoughts on these - whose work really speaks to her, inspires her as a writer, or is just a good read.
In closing, this is the first book I've read by this author, and I'll be on the lookout for her name in the future.
When I finally sat down to read further, I feel like this book and this author gave me many things. Thoughts about the body, specifically black, cisgender women's bodies. School bullies, with the complications involved when both parties are black. Ruminations on love, and the painful quest for it, especially as an educated black woman. Learning about life, love, and family, and trying hard to see how far your ambition and hard work will take you. Wanting to blend in, to disappear, but receiving constant reminders that you have failed, and that others are always watching.
While the other parts of the book were enlightening to read as one black woman's views on the world around her, I particularly connected with the author when she detailed her international interests and language learning, because those were past ambitions of mine, too. Likewise, another area that spoke to me was when the author covered portrayal of the black community by non-black people - I agreed with a lot of what she was saying. More black stories should be shown, and more black people should be writing and directing and acting in these stories. The world is full of whiteness, and that shouldn't be the default, because then, we leave out a great many people who aren't white. Representation absolutely matters.
After reading this collection of essays, I am interested to see what this author writes about next. My hope is that, even though she did not get in to a creative writing program, that she still writes some creative fiction or collaborates in screenplays, plays, or other media writing. Also, the reader part of me would love to know who her favorite authors are in English, Japanese, and Russian - she clearly reads a lot, and I'm sure she must have thoughts on these - whose work really speaks to her, inspires her as a writer, or is just a good read.
In closing, this is the first book I've read by this author, and I'll be on the lookout for her name in the future.