junglejelly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this collection of essays. They're all so well written, cover a wide range of topics, and convey so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality and Grief
Minor: Slavery, Pandemic/Epidemic, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
moonchildjuli's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
bloodmaarked's review against another edition
4.0
Come see me talk more about books over at my Twitter!
Girl Gurl Grrrl - the name alone had me sold, to be honest! I wish I could remember how I first came across this book, however, I'm glad that I was lucky enough to be gifted a physical copy of this book as it's surely one I will want to come back to time and time again during different pivotal moments throughout my life.
Thegood magical:
✧ I found Hunt's unique US/UK perspective really interesting. She is African-American but has spent the last decade or so living in London. I feel that, though important, too many conversations around race are centred around the African-American experience. The Black diaspora shares similar experiences across the world, but they can't all be conflated with that of the USA. It was good to hear about both geographical areas (as well as other countries through the various contributors), and I do think more conversations on the Black experience in the UK are much-needed.
✧ All the essays/chapters were so moving and uplifting; sometimes both at once! My personal favourites were Upon Reflection, Motherhood, Loss, The Lord's House, A Queen's Soul, and Bad Bitches. The contributors such as Funmi Fetto and Ebele Okobi really added brilliance to Girl Gurl Grrrl. Overall, it was kind of the essential reminder to love oneself and one's sisters as a Black woman that I needed, and know I will need again.
✧ There really is something in here for everyone. There are so many topics covered here (feminism, motherhood, religion, activism...), there will be something that any Black woman will be able to resonate with at one point or another. Even for me, though some parts didn't fully sink in yet, I think whilst going through the twists and turns of life, they'll make more sense in time.
The bad:
✦ The only reason I'm dropping a star is that it didn't quite have me hook, line and sinker like other similar books have in the past. This is a personal thing, I think! I'm sure that with rereads and time to reflect and digest, that's something that'll fade in time.
I really would recommend this to everyone, regardless of race or gender, it's an enlightening read and a really strong non-fic to have come out of 2020.
Girl Gurl Grrrl - the name alone had me sold, to be honest! I wish I could remember how I first came across this book, however, I'm glad that I was lucky enough to be gifted a physical copy of this book as it's surely one I will want to come back to time and time again during different pivotal moments throughout my life.
The
✧ I found Hunt's unique US/UK perspective really interesting. She is African-American but has spent the last decade or so living in London. I feel that, though important, too many conversations around race are centred around the African-American experience. The Black diaspora shares similar experiences across the world, but they can't all be conflated with that of the USA. It was good to hear about both geographical areas (as well as other countries through the various contributors), and I do think more conversations on the Black experience in the UK are much-needed.
✧ All the essays/chapters were so moving and uplifting; sometimes both at once! My personal favourites were Upon Reflection, Motherhood, Loss, The Lord's House, A Queen's Soul, and Bad Bitches. The contributors such as Funmi Fetto and Ebele Okobi really added brilliance to Girl Gurl Grrrl. Overall, it was kind of the essential reminder to love oneself and one's sisters as a Black woman that I needed, and know I will need again.
✧ There really is something in here for everyone. There are so many topics covered here (feminism, motherhood, religion, activism...), there will be something that any Black woman will be able to resonate with at one point or another. Even for me, though some parts didn't fully sink in yet, I think whilst going through the twists and turns of life, they'll make more sense in time.
The bad:
✦ The only reason I'm dropping a star is that it didn't quite have me hook, line and sinker like other similar books have in the past. This is a personal thing, I think! I'm sure that with rereads and time to reflect and digest, that's something that'll fade in time.
I really would recommend this to everyone, regardless of race or gender, it's an enlightening read and a really strong non-fic to have come out of 2020.
juliajjshields's review against another edition
4.0
4.5✨ I really enjoyed this one! I listened via audiobook which was lovely since I got to hear the narrators voice as well as the voices of others who contributed essays. Chapters were super insightful & interesting. Looking at other reviews, I was a bit confused on feedback that it didn’t dive deep enough into topics…especially from people who aren’t the target demographic of Black women. This one was definitely for the girlies lol & did a great job at highlighting our experiences, analyzing different cultural themes. The only issue I had with it hence 4.5 & not 5, was that the transitions were super abrupt between chapters via the audiobook & didn’t feel seamless. Otherwise was overall a wonderful book that I’d recommend to Black women & girls everywhere!! & those who are intrigued by our realities & experiences you
Notes on Woke - such a great essay that really stuck with me. talked about the co-opting of the term woke etc.
Skinfolk!! - chapter/essay on diaspora wars
- “Skinfolk. All united by the legacy of colonialism; all divided by the displacement that the transatlantic slave trade wrought. To focus on our differences rather than learn from them is to fulfill the promise of transatlantic slavery: to divide and conquer. It’s to pit ourselves forever at odds with each other over who is Black enough, free enough, human enough that very same distraction racism presents.”
“No number of degrees or job titles will protect you from the damning sting of a surface judgment” (Make Yourself at Home, But Not Here)
“I started trying to prove my Blackness & in the process felt like I was failing at the very thing that was the most obvious about me” (Ton Hair: Freddie Harrel)
The Lord’s House, A Queen’s Soul - chapter on religion super interesting. Black women’s role in the church vs , Aretha Franklin’s funeral & history of “respect”
“Someone will always take you for the version of you that they want, whatever you’re trying to project or whoever you’re trying to be. The idea of identity is hard enough when we’re trying to work out who we are in this world” (On Queenie: Candice Carty-Williams)
Notes on Woke - such a great essay that really stuck with me. talked about the co-opting of the term woke etc.
Skinfolk!! - chapter/essay on diaspora wars
- “Skinfolk. All united by the legacy of colonialism; all divided by the displacement that the transatlantic slave trade wrought. To focus on our differences rather than learn from them is to fulfill the promise of transatlantic slavery: to divide and conquer. It’s to pit ourselves forever at odds with each other over who is Black enough, free enough, human enough that very same distraction racism presents.”
“No number of degrees or job titles will protect you from the damning sting of a surface judgment” (Make Yourself at Home, But Not Here)
“I started trying to prove my Blackness & in the process felt like I was failing at the very thing that was the most obvious about me” (Ton Hair: Freddie Harrel)
The Lord’s House, A Queen’s Soul - chapter on religion super interesting. Black women’s role in the church vs , Aretha Franklin’s funeral & history of “respect”
“Someone will always take you for the version of you that they want, whatever you’re trying to project or whoever you’re trying to be. The idea of identity is hard enough when we’re trying to work out who we are in this world” (On Queenie: Candice Carty-Williams)
hwks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Listened to this as an audiobook, would really recommend - especially for giving a non-American perspective. Deeply personal, an intersectional must-read.
bookish_by_elle's review against another edition
3.0
I love us. We are beautiful, powerful queens. Masters of slays. Leaders of movements. Makers of culture and changers of games
Girl Gurl GRRRL is about the black woman. This collection isn’t unique or breathtaking, but it is thought-provoking. In this collection of essays, Kenya Hunt speaks of being a black American woman living in the United Kingdom. This book does not speak to the experience of all black women, as no one book can, or should. The author definitely does not hide her privilege but draws very specifically from her personal experiences. She, along with a few featured authors, speak of finding and harnessing their voices. They speak of the opportunities that they have had the privilege of experiencing, as well as the realization of the things that their privilege does not protect them from. This book is equally a telling of the social issues affecting black women daily, as it is a celebration of their lives: their tenacity, their grace, their sense of responsibility to their community. We are beautiful, powerful queens
While I appreciated the content of this book, it is not one that I particularly enjoyed reading. It could simply be that I do not know much about England (where the author currently resides), or the fashion industry (author is a fashion director). Still at times, I feel like there were instances when the essays dragged on for longer than necessary and I really did not appreciate that the author referred to Caribbean nationals as “Caribbeans” (It was only one time but this is absolutely the hill I choose to die on). Regardless, I think that this collection is relevant, timely and worth the read.
Girl Gurl GRRRL is about the black woman. This collection isn’t unique or breathtaking, but it is thought-provoking. In this collection of essays, Kenya Hunt speaks of being a black American woman living in the United Kingdom. This book does not speak to the experience of all black women, as no one book can, or should. The author definitely does not hide her privilege but draws very specifically from her personal experiences. She, along with a few featured authors, speak of finding and harnessing their voices. They speak of the opportunities that they have had the privilege of experiencing, as well as the realization of the things that their privilege does not protect them from. This book is equally a telling of the social issues affecting black women daily, as it is a celebration of their lives: their tenacity, their grace, their sense of responsibility to their community. We are beautiful, powerful queens
While I appreciated the content of this book, it is not one that I particularly enjoyed reading. It could simply be that I do not know much about England (where the author currently resides), or the fashion industry (author is a fashion director). Still at times, I feel like there were instances when the essays dragged on for longer than necessary and I really did not appreciate that the author referred to Caribbean nationals as “Caribbeans” (It was only one time but this is absolutely the hill I choose to die on). Regardless, I think that this collection is relevant, timely and worth the read.