Why can't we just love each other? A review of "This Book is Gay"

Why can't we just love each other?  
A review of "This Book is Gay"


As a straight, cis-woman, I'm extremely grateful I've read This Book is Gay. I'll admit it, I am not well-educated on the LGBTQ+ community, which I admit is most likely my fault. However, I am extremely grateful for this book because it has provided me with the opportunity to be educated. But most importantly, because Dawson has given a voice to minorities. I was reflecting on my own journey of learning about sexuality, identity, and sex and Dawson is exactly right, only one conversation is being had. All of the other narratives are left out. I could not even begin to imagine how lost or uncomfortable members of the LGBTQ+ community must feel daily because of this lack of representation. There is nothing I can say except - I'm sorry. When it comes to living your LIFE, you deserve to feel heard, seen, and most importantly free. When books like Dawson's get banned, people's lives are silenced.

First, Dawson. My initial reactions were frustrating. I judged Dawson for her ability to discuss a wide range of topics, I felt that maybe she might be limiting other people's voices unintentionally, or creating generalizations and feeding into stereotypes. However, I was pleased to read the witnesses/testimonies of many other members of the LGBTQ+ community. Even though reading those might seem excessive or redundant, it really does wonders for Dawson's credibility, as well as can make readers feel less alone if they are experiencing something similar. Naturally, I had many questions when reading but I genuinely felt like the book was a conversation. Each question I thought of, was followed up with a timely graphic, note, or subsection dedicated to the entire prompt. I appreciate how blunt Dawson is as well. Even though the reading content might seem for mature audiences, Dawson approaches the conversation in a way that allows the book to be for a WIDE array of audiences, thus, making it extremely effective for her intended purposes - education. It sort of felt like it could be a part of the "For DUMMIES" series, which I pleasantly enjoyed. It made difficult, often awkward conversations feel natural, entertaining, and enjoyable. 

Now in a heavier direction, freedom. Without knowledge, I believe you cannot have freedom. You simply cannot know what you don't until you do. The importance of education, especially a well-rounded education, cannot be overemphasized enough. It has taken me a while to completely understand the idea that with knowledge comes freedom. At first, I thought it meant that with education, I could get a "job" or make an informed "vote," but with an education you get to live. You get to form your own thoughts and opinions. Live the life you want to. Create a world in which you are happy. You simply are no longer bound. This applies to all types of education. Education about food, hobbies, religion, and most importantly identity. Without books like Dawson's, you simply are removing people's abilities to live. You are limiting them in ways that affect their physical, mental, and emotional being. You are preventing love. Preventing life. 

My biggest favor I found with Dawson's book must be the emphasis on what it means to be a good human. In a world that does not favor the LGBTQ+ community, Dawson cannot emphasize enough what it means to be a good human being through struggles and sacrifice. Not only is she providing valuable information, she is raising a generation that is filled with love for the human race. A community that is open to each person's desires, wishes, and lifestyles with respect, kindness, and love. What more can you ask? Who wouldn't want to live in a world where we each support and love one another? I believe that's what's being banned in this book. The desire for a good human race. If you don't want that, then what do you want? 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Fine Line Between Relatable and Condescending

Image
     I am just going to come right out and say it: these first few chapters of  Stamped … I hated them. Author Jason Reynolds relies heavily on the use of slang and comedy to, I would assume, ease the weight of the information being discussed, and create a more relatable connection between himself and readers. I mean, comparing the name Gomez Eanes de Zurara to a cheerleading chant (Reyonds 4)? Really? I find that many adults believe using slang or more causal, comedic language will better resonate with younger generations. However, as a member of one of these younger generations, I can confidently say that being addressed in this way can oftentimes come off as condescending, as though the author is talking down to readers. I recognize that those with less exposure to conversations about race may appreciate Reynold’s approach, sort of easing into it, if you will. And that for some, comedy is the best approach to alleviate the discomfort that comes with learning and t...
Read more

Future Boobs, or The Dichotomy Of Childhood in Gender Queer

          Children are, on a very basic level, genderless at birth. They’re not sexless, but it can more or less ignored for the most part for the first few years of their life, save for in medical contexts. If you wrap a baby girl in a blue blanket, you’ll fool just about anyone into cooing, “What a handsome baby boy!”. Kids are mostly amorphous human beings until about age 9. I’m not just using this language to be subversive, I honestly dare you to take every toddler you can find, put them in identical dresses, and guess their sexes. It’s not impossible, but it’s hard. They’re all flat-chested and chubby-faced, and their hair is in different stages of still-learning-how-to-grow-out-evenly. I’m being vaguely inflammatory here, but my point is that Kobabe captures that seemingly ambivalent nature of childhood perfectly in the early pages of Gender Queer , detailing eir friendship with eir neighbor’s son, Galen.  The moment I’m talking about only take...
Read more

Gender Queer: Thoughts

The second half of  Gender Queer: A Memoir  by Maia Kobabe offers a lot of insightful, and thoughtful aspects of navigating a cis-gendered world. In the later chapters we see the narrator and main protagonist of the story Maia become emersed in the possibilities of the world after living a rather simple, sheltered, and traditional life.    An aspect that I appreciate about the novel is the idea of role models throughout the story. Maia highlights the influence of David Bowie’s music, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, and writings of Oscar Wilde. It is nice to be able to put names to thoughts and feelings; these people who were simply being themselves let other curious minds know that they are not alone with certain feelings. It is a way to easily develop upon certain ideas that were already forming. Now Maia has the opportunity to be a role model for students and expose them to a society where gender terms do not have to define your identity.    Another im...
Read more