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socorrobaptista's review
4.0
Uma narrativa corajosa de alguém que busca se aceitar mesmo diante de uma sociedade machista, racista, gordofóbica e islamofóbica. Inspiradora por sua coragem e ousadia.
tariqah's review
4.0
The world could use a bit of this creative confidence and unashamed-ness Leah Vernon exhibits. She's everything you wouldn’t expect of a Muslim or model, whipping standards of the fashion world into new shapes, and declaring her faith not only by wearing a hijab but a f-cking gorgeous one at that.
“Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim” is like the how-to of her career path and character. The narrowing standards of societal beauty and mediated twists to her Islamic faith is what also pushed her to be so boldly creative. And of course, unashamed.
She begins with the woes of growing up in a household where her faith was harvested but also where the source of her pains and insecurities lies. It took trial and error, years of battling eating disorders and having to leave a toxic marriage for her to get where she is. On top of that, haters peered around every corner for their chance to shame and belittle.
Nevertheless, she still kept at being herself, and unashamed of it. This is a timely pick-me-up for women and girls looking to expand beyond the standards and limitations society--and even ourselves--tend to put down on us.
“Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim” is like the how-to of her career path and character. The narrowing standards of societal beauty and mediated twists to her Islamic faith is what also pushed her to be so boldly creative. And of course, unashamed.
She begins with the woes of growing up in a household where her faith was harvested but also where the source of her pains and insecurities lies. It took trial and error, years of battling eating disorders and having to leave a toxic marriage for her to get where she is. On top of that, haters peered around every corner for their chance to shame and belittle.
Nevertheless, she still kept at being herself, and unashamed of it. This is a timely pick-me-up for women and girls looking to expand beyond the standards and limitations society--and even ourselves--tend to put down on us.
shellysbookcorner's review
4.0
“I received a review copy from Amazon Vine and voluntarily provided an honest review. This does not affect the opinion of the book or the content of the review.’’
I’m not really a fan of biographies or memoirs but something about this person made me want to read. Maybe it was the cover? The title? The blurb? Who knows but I am so glad I took a chance because this was a very good read. The author was raw, explicit, honest and kept it all the way real with their story. I am not Muslim but I was able to relate to this author when it comes to religion and certain expectations. I think anybody who struggles with body issues and finding their beauty within can really learn something from this book as well. I loved how it touched on the stigma associated with mental illness as well. I must say this book will make some people uncomfortable and that is one of the reasons why I enjoyed it so much. This book also had me doing some reflecting, nodding my head in agreement and highlighting passages as I read. I can’t tell you the last time I highlighted in a book. I love when a book can stop and make me think and I can use this motivation in my everyday life. Well done, Leah Vernon.
I’m not really a fan of biographies or memoirs but something about this person made me want to read. Maybe it was the cover? The title? The blurb? Who knows but I am so glad I took a chance because this was a very good read. The author was raw, explicit, honest and kept it all the way real with their story. I am not Muslim but I was able to relate to this author when it comes to religion and certain expectations. I think anybody who struggles with body issues and finding their beauty within can really learn something from this book as well. I loved how it touched on the stigma associated with mental illness as well. I must say this book will make some people uncomfortable and that is one of the reasons why I enjoyed it so much. This book also had me doing some reflecting, nodding my head in agreement and highlighting passages as I read. I can’t tell you the last time I highlighted in a book. I love when a book can stop and make me think and I can use this motivation in my everyday life. Well done, Leah Vernon.
sweddy65's review
3.0
If it weren't that this is Leah Vernon's story the way she wanted to tell it, I would give this two stars.
Let me first say, I am not the audience for this book and I understand that others will find it powerful. It is Vernon's story and so her heterosexuality is one of the centers. However, the heteronormativity continually distanced me.
I came out as a lesbian in the 1980s into a community that welcomed and celebrated bodies of all sizes. I have long believed every good person is also a beautiful person. I am also entirely uninterested in fashion.
Perhaps because of those things, I found much of the narrative tedious. And then, toward the end of the book, I came across this paragraph which is meant to be loving and inclusive and non-judgmental, but....
"As Muslims, we are taught to be perfect. In front of our peers, in the media, at work, at the nearby coffee shop. We are taught that we are being watched by not only God, but others, and that we need to be amazing individuals who aren't touched by mental illness, sexual abuse, or homosexuality. We've created created these ridiculous ideologies that we can only fit nicely into these frames" (180).
While trying to say, "I don't find these things taboo to write about," putting the core of my identity into a category with sexual abuse reminds me of the decades I have been arguing with homophobes that queer sexuality is not abuse or pedophilia or bestiality.
Let me first say, I am not the audience for this book and I understand that others will find it powerful. It is Vernon's story and so her heterosexuality is one of the centers. However, the heteronormativity continually distanced me.
I came out as a lesbian in the 1980s into a community that welcomed and celebrated bodies of all sizes. I have long believed every good person is also a beautiful person. I am also entirely uninterested in fashion.
Perhaps because of those things, I found much of the narrative tedious. And then, toward the end of the book, I came across this paragraph which is meant to be loving and inclusive and non-judgmental, but....
"As Muslims, we are taught to be perfect. In front of our peers, in the media, at work, at the nearby coffee shop. We are taught that we are being watched by not only God, but others, and that we need to be amazing individuals who aren't touched by mental illness, sexual abuse, or homosexuality. We've created created these ridiculous ideologies that we can only fit nicely into these frames" (180).
While trying to say, "I don't find these things taboo to write about," putting the core of my identity into a category with sexual abuse reminds me of the decades I have been arguing with homophobes that queer sexuality is not abuse or pedophilia or bestiality.
ensara's review
1.0
you don’t sound confident or assertive by swearing over and over, you just sound like you don’t know how to speak. so much for that creative writing degree.
carrienation76's review
4.0
This book is refreshingly raw. Vernon writes in extensive detail about the experiences of growing up and living life as fat, Black, and Muslim. She divulges her inner anti-fat self-hate even as she finds success as a model and social media influencer. She walks the reader through the nuances and details of her divorce and how she picked herself back up in the age of internet dating. This book is comprehensive - and you're left with the unabashed determination and self-manufactured confidence that propels Vernon forward through the difficulties of life.