Scan barcode
A review by bloodmaarked
Girl: Essays on Black womanhood by Kenya Hunt
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.