Download PDF This Will Be My Undoing Living at the Intersection of Black Female and Feminist in White America Morgan Jerkins 9780062666154 Books

Product details Paperback 272 pages Publisher Harper Perennial (January 30, 2018) Language English ISBN-10 9780062666154 ISBN-13 978-0062666154 ASIN 0062666150

This Will Be My Undoing Living at the Intersection of Black Female and Feminist in White America Morgan Jerkins 9780062666154 Books Reviews

• As a white high school teacher and moderator of a race awareness group in a predominantly white high school, I was excited to read this book along with the students of color in our group. The three girls who read the book said that they had never seen themselves or heard their voice in a book as they did in this one. I found the author's voice to be unflinchingly truthful and therefore incredibly powerful. The girls and I were fortunate enough to attend a book reading by the author in Princeton, NJ. The author was just as honest and insightful in person as she was in print. As a white person, I experienced a range of emotions reading this book. There was much guilt and shame about my ignorance and insensitivity, but the author, even when being brutally honest about how she has been unfairly treated by white people and the system, is unfailingly kind, hopeful and she has a wry sense of humor. We cannot wait for her to complete her next two books.
• I identified with this woman in so many places though we probably couldn't be more different in some ways. I actually cried when she was trying to fit in with white girls trying out for the cheerleading squad. My tears were happy when she described the meaning of Michelle Obama. I squirmed when she wanted the black boys to find her attractive enough to sexually assault (smack her backside) I loved her for giving us a sense of Harlem and a sense of what an attitude of respectability politics looks like when it's falling away. I felt less alone when she spoke of achievement and success not coming fast enough and sometimes relationships not coming at all. I was grateful for her section on daily meditation, accepting ones own black beauty, and forgiving mothers and grandmothers who couldn't teach us to stand tall because they grew up just trying to survive. This is an amazing black girl book for black girls who didn't grow up in all black spaces
• This collection is essential and compelling. Each essay's blend of personal, historical and political, offers an unflinching examination of...Well, you can read the blurbs for yourself.
  
  I particularly appreciate the way Ms. Jerkins portrays her evolving relationship with her own body. Her model of self-care is inspiring. It's rare to see confidence and vulnerability rise to the page in tandem so beautifully.
• I am thoroughly glad one of Morgan's sisters, who I know from undergrad, told me that she was coming out with a book. While I'm sure I would have come across at some point, I made the effort to keep it at the forefront of my mind. I have been telling people that this book is coming for what seems like months now, and it did not disappoint in the slightest.
  
  I have at least half of the book highlighted, and a list of other books and papers to add to my list of things to read in the near future. I related to so much of her thoughts of her past, and of her present. I can also relate to some of the industry struggles, as a BW trying to move up in politics. A tad too personal and raw for me in some spots, but what's a little discomfort if the author herself is willing to be so vulnerable?
  
  A quality read for black and non-black women.
• Could not put this down. Beautifully written.
• Everyone should read this, especially white folks like me. As a woman in my 40s I was not sure it would resonate with me, but Ms. Jenkins honesty, wit and vast intelligence broadened my view of the intersectionality of race and most other issues. At this point in history I believe it is imperative for us feminists to peel back the layers of liberalism and face racism head on. This book will help you do that no matter your age. READ THIS book and buy it for a friend or daughter.
• If you're looking for a book that sugar coats---this isn't it! Jerkins is raw about her experiences and emotions about being a black female--an education black female. She's also encouraging and uplifting the black female and with the current social climate--it's so necessary.
  
  Jerkins is very open and honest with sharing f her personal experiences with her black female body and honestly--it's wonderful. She's very confident in her writing and as a reader and a writer, i'm appreciative.
  
  I'd recommend it to everyone--not just black females but ESPECIALLY black females. I'd recommend it to everyone--not because it's going to give you some life changing insight to black females because--well--if you're not a black female, you will never full understand BUT if you're open minded--you'll get SOME insight.
  
  Grab your highlighter, notebook and pen!
• Beautiful prose that spans memoir, anthropology and history. Fresh, thought provoking and intimate. Author presents reasoned analysis of her experience in the context of a Euro-Centric society that is not haughty. The emotions evoked by this book ran the gamut. I constantly found myself picking up the phone to discuss with friends.