Review by eastandalchemy -- DeFacto Feminism: Essays Str...

KL9999 · Post by **KL9999** » 04 Aug 2019, 07:16

[Following is a volunteer review of "DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland" by Judy Juanita.]

4 out of 4 stars

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If you are a feminist, this book will empower you. If you are an activist, this book will educate you. If you are a writer, this book will resonate with you. If you are none of these but are courageous and open-minded enough to read a book that tackles ghosts, sexuality, and the N-word, then find a spot for DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland on your bookshelf.

In this novel, author Judy Juanita shares a collection of short stories, essays, poems, and letters that offer a glimpse into the life of a black girl growing up in Oakland in the 1950s and ’60s. Juanita exposes the racism, sexism, and gun violence that she experienced during her time spent as a civil rights activists and member of the Black Panther Party. She speaks about black culture’s influence on art, music, and pop culture. She reveals the reality of artists’ career struggles, the rawness of single motherhood, and the humbling yet enlightening experience of cleaning houses when her writing failed to pay the bills. To sum it up, she exposes the highs and lows of a woman who struggled, persevered, and never gave up on her dream of publishing a novel of great worth.

Juanita’s writing style feels authentic and intentionally unrefined. This text reads like a casual conversation between peers with an occasional glimpse into a wise and more experienced friend’s diary. Unlike some memoirs, DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland never feels preachy or self-indulgent. Juanita is quick to name the mentors, teachers, and peers who inspired her to do better and who ultimately guided her along the path to becoming a successful novelist. Whether intentional or not, Juanita shares an abundance of advice to writers, including lessons learned from the decades she dedicated to her craft. The seemingly simple statement that writers, just like any other professional, need a reliable support system will resonate with fellow wordsmiths. As the novel progresses, the reader sees Juanita quietly follow her own advice by participating in writing workshops, networking with other artists, and opening herself to mentorships in all forms.

The most unexpected yet delightful part of the novel was the chapter titled Acknowledge Me. Using a series of letters, Juanita shares a paranormal experience between herself and her former teacher and deceased playwright, Peter Thorpe. When Thorpe’s ghost appears with suggestions for the author’s novel, instead of denying his existence, Juanita contacts his widow and incorporates his mentorship into her writing support system. This section reveals the author’s spiritual side, her repressed psychic abilities, and how she was able to use these natural talents to realize her professional and personal goals. While this section may be hard for some to swallow, I emphatically enjoyed reading each piece of advice that Thorpe shared from the other side. At first glance, this section may appear out of place, but I believe it added tremendous insight and depth to the author’s character and was my favorite part of the novel.

While there is little to critique in this book, I would have enjoyed an epilogue or afterword that mentioned where the author is today. When I finished the novel, I felt like I had only begun to form a relationship with Juanita. Starting with her childhood in Oakland and continuing through her ups and downs in adulthood and middle age, I couldn’t help but feel that she was speaking directly to me despite our different upbringings and life experiences. When the novel ended without an afterword, I felt that there was more to say. I immediately wondered, what is Juanita doing now? On what projects is she working? Is she still in contact with her deceased mentor? An epilogue would have added some closure to this novel, but perhaps this exclusion was a deliberate choice in order to create interest for a follow-up novel.

I rate DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland four out of four stars. In addition to the first-hand perspective of a black woman in a white man’s America, Juanita shares valuable advice for anyone who identifies as the underdog in society. Due to the lack of grammar and spelling errors, I assume that this text has survived numerous edits and alterations. Despite the thorough editing, the author maintains her voice and her credibility from start to finish.

DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland would be an excellent study piece in a university-level history, culture, or women’s studies class. You do not have to be a feminist to enjoy this novel, although I’m sure Juanita’s story would be more appealing to those with an interest in women’s literature. Due to the sexual scenarios and adult language, I would caution adults to educate younger readers about why these mature themes are important to the author’s story and what they can learn from them.

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DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland
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Erin Painter Baker · Post by **Erin Painter Baker** » 05 Aug 2019, 20:30

Most of the time, I find epilogues to be troublesome in books. I often want the book to just speak for itself. But I completely understand your wish for one in this book that would let the reader know where the author is and how she is doing today.

KL9999 · Post by **KL9999** » 06 Aug 2019, 04:42

I'm a sucker for an epilogue

I always want things to be wrapped up tightly, questions answered, no cliffhangers. In Juanita's case, she spoke so much about wanting to call herself a novelist, and I'm definitely curious how she feels now that she's accomplished that fete.

KL9999 · Post by **KL9999** » 06 Aug 2019, 04:44

esp1975 wrote: ↑05 Aug 2019, 20:30 Most of the time, I find epilogues to be troublesome in books. I often want the book to just speak for itself. But I completely understand your wish for one in this book that would let the reader know where the author is and how she is doing today.

I'm a sucker for an epilogue I always want things to be wrapped up tightly, questions answered, no cliffhangers. In Juanita's case, she spoke so much about wanting to call herself a novelist, and I'm definitely curious how she feels now that she's accomplished that fete.