Review by LevaStyles -- DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straigh...
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LevaStyles
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- Latest Review: DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland by Judy Juanita
Review by LevaStyles -- DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straigh...
[Following is a volunteer review of "DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland" by Judy Juanita.]
4 out of 4 stars
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De Facto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland
There are some books that within the first few pages of reading you feel blessed, lucky, and privileged to have the pleasure of casting your eyes on these words that have become sentences. You begin to scan through the pages and within the first paragraph you are confident that it is going to be a good read. In opening Judy Juanita's book De Facto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland, these are the emotions that stirred within me.
The title itself attracted me to the book; I had to read it. In the beginning she speaks of feminism, racism, and implies challenges while growing up in society as a double minority (i.e., black female). She speaks of her presence and participation in the Black Panther Party.
I instantly felt her stories and couldn’t wait to flip from one page to the next, one chapter to the next to see what character she would evolve into. First she was a young girl growing up in Oakland, CA, next a Black Panther Party member, a house cleaner, a poet, a student, a comedian, a mom, and a grandmother. Her young tone and expressions remained, although with an added flair of maturity as she was exposed to feminism and racism despite the fact that, as she states it, “old enough for Medicare”.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because Ms. Juanita’s story takes you through a journey of her life, but not in the typical orderly fashion one would expect. The author tells her story through essays, poems, excerpts from articles she’s written in the past, letters from acquaintances and photographs. Her ability to deliver her story in such a non-traditional way is enchanting. Her shameless use of words that will make you question, “did she just say that”, or words that will force you to crack open a dictionary suggest both her passion for writing and her passion in life, combined with her refusal to fit the mold. I also highly rated this book based on the formatting and excellent professional editing.
I struggled with reading some of the poems and essays. Without the background to these excerpts, I sometimes found it difficult to comprehend what she was saying. However, as authors and artists, we often leave our work to be interpreted by the viewer, causing them to reflect and ponder the content. I will continue to ponder the content and techniques that Ms. Juanita used in developing this edifying book. #blessedtoreadthisbook #outsidethebox
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DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland
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4 out of 4 stars
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De Facto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland
There are some books that within the first few pages of reading you feel blessed, lucky, and privileged to have the pleasure of casting your eyes on these words that have become sentences. You begin to scan through the pages and within the first paragraph you are confident that it is going to be a good read. In opening Judy Juanita's book De Facto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland, these are the emotions that stirred within me.
The title itself attracted me to the book; I had to read it. In the beginning she speaks of feminism, racism, and implies challenges while growing up in society as a double minority (i.e., black female). She speaks of her presence and participation in the Black Panther Party.
I instantly felt her stories and couldn’t wait to flip from one page to the next, one chapter to the next to see what character she would evolve into. First she was a young girl growing up in Oakland, CA, next a Black Panther Party member, a house cleaner, a poet, a student, a comedian, a mom, and a grandmother. Her young tone and expressions remained, although with an added flair of maturity as she was exposed to feminism and racism despite the fact that, as she states it, “old enough for Medicare”.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because Ms. Juanita’s story takes you through a journey of her life, but not in the typical orderly fashion one would expect. The author tells her story through essays, poems, excerpts from articles she’s written in the past, letters from acquaintances and photographs. Her ability to deliver her story in such a non-traditional way is enchanting. Her shameless use of words that will make you question, “did she just say that”, or words that will force you to crack open a dictionary suggest both her passion for writing and her passion in life, combined with her refusal to fit the mold. I also highly rated this book based on the formatting and excellent professional editing.
I struggled with reading some of the poems and essays. Without the background to these excerpts, I sometimes found it difficult to comprehend what she was saying. However, as authors and artists, we often leave our work to be interpreted by the viewer, causing them to reflect and ponder the content. I will continue to ponder the content and techniques that Ms. Juanita used in developing this edifying book. #blessedtoreadthisbook #outsidethebox
******
DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland
View: on Bookshelves | on Barnes and Noble
Like LevaStyles's review? Post a comment saying so!
