Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice by Shon Faye

18 reviews

seventhswan's review

challenging hopeful informative medium-paced

4.25

This was an interesting, important read, going slightly beyond Trans 101 but still serving as an excellent introduction to the key aspects of trans politics and rights. Nothing was particularly a surprise to me but I still enjoyed - and agreed with - Shon Faye's setting out of the relevant issues. Overall I'd have no reservations about recommending this book. However, I listened to the audiobook version and this really cemented that audiobooks aren't for me, as even on 1.5x speed the text took so much longer to get through than it would have done reading printed text. That isn't specific to this book, though, and the recording was clear and pleasant to listen to!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia and Hate crime

Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual violence

pobi's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

5.0

It's a tough read because of the transphobia it discusses, but also it's general message is one of hope and progress. Sets out difficult to understand things very clearly and I definitely feel like I've learnt stuff. While focused primarily on Britain it does try to make the message more universal at times. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Deadnaming, Violence, and Transphobia

Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Racism, Police brutality, Dysphoria, Ableism, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Hate crime

bronzeageholly's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

 A stark and striking look at the facts and figures regarding the moral panic around trans people (mostly focusing on the UK, but with brief look at the USA). 

 

Shon Faye writes incredibly well, succinct and clear, with inarguable analysis and case for improving the lives of trans people. I would advise reading this book as a whole to understand the links between each social issue thoroughly. Yet, I would also suggest picking up the specific chapters that you may feel you lack a full awareness of (e.g., homelessness or incarceration or domestic violence). Each picks apart and expertly counters misinformation and shares the reality of living as a trans person in the UK. 

 

While I whole-heartedly recommend this book, it is also very very hard-hitting. It took me a long time to read due to needing to take a lot of breaks. Please be aware of any trigger warnings when you pick up this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Classism, Body shaming, Police brutality, Misogyny, Dysphoria, Outing, Lesbophobia, Hate crime, Death, Violence, Rape, Racism, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Sexism, and Physical abuse

Minor: Addiction, Mental illness, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia

groober's review

challenging medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Transphobia, Racism, Sexism, and Violence

tangleroot_eli's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

 This isn’t a happy book. Seven chapters detailing the ways trans folks in the UK are hard done by the government, the medical establishment, the media, and the feminist movement make hard reading for those of us who stand, and/or love those who stand, under the trans umbrella. Nor did I find it the straightforward, super-obvious roadmap to trans liberation that many of the blurb-writers claimed it to be. Still, Faye’s bold voice and unflinching critiques of both the forces that try to crush trans folks and the tactics that (mostly white, middle class, cishet) moderate liberals think will save us make this book a balm for what ails us. (Spoiler alert: it’s capitalism. Capitalism is what ails us.) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Forced institutionalization, Transphobia, and Medical content

Moderate: Hate crime, Drug use, Medical trauma, Racism, Xenophobia, Classism, Death, and Murder

laurahartfield's review

challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Hate crime, Murder, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, and Rape

punky__pie's review

challenging emotional informative medium-paced

5.0

It cannot be understated how well-researched and structured this book is. It defied all of my expectations. It manages to position transphobia as the central issue without approaching transphobia as a one-dimensional issue in society
If you have ever wanted to understand the challenges trans and non-binary folks in the UK face, this book is a fantastic read. Faye covers everything from class issues to medical discrimination and provides a lengthy bibliography at the end of the book, allowing the reader to verify claims. I don't think I can explain how amazing this book is. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Sexual violence, Racism, Misogyny, Classism, Ableism, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Self harm, and Outing

Minor: Abortion and Violence

Unsurprisingly this book covers transphobia in great detail. Regardless of your position in society, if you are trans, you will likely find references to transphobia you've faced in your life in this book. BUT you can certainly skip sensitive chapters and still understand the book.

emmalouisereads's review

challenging informative medium-paced

4.5

This is a must read for trans allies in the UK. The book is well researched and cites sources, it will be a helpful resource to have if you’re ever have to debunk a TERF’s arguments.

I don’t know if it’s a book that’ll convince the average transphobe to change their mind. People who don’t know much about the difficulties trans people face (especially in the UK) will find this book enlightening.

I’m glad this book exists

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Rape, Medical trauma, Homophobia, Self harm, Trafficking, Sexual assault, Racism, Misogyny, and Hate crime

Content warnings are in the context of a non-fiction book

keegan_leech's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I think pretty much everyone should read this book. Its one limiting factor is a focus on the UK, but it is an informative and extremely well-written exploration of the modern political landscape and its approach to trans rights. It's also a concisely-written argument for trans liberation being a necessary component of all modern social justice movements.

Read this book. It is an antidote to simplistic, anti-intellectual discussions of the "debate" about trans rights, and a history and overview of the modern trans rights movement. It is extremely worthwhile.

Shon Faye is clearly a very good writer, and manages to interrogate her subjects with an efficiency and clarity that makes them seem immediately straightforward. I can't say how accessible the book would be to someone with no exposure to concepts like queer and feminist theory, but like I say, it is extremely approachable, and I feel that it would appeal to people with just about any degree of experience with the subject. Similarly, while Faye is clearly writing from and for the left wing, I think her arguments are clear enough that this would be a good book to someone interested in trans politics, but who doesn't consider themselves a leftist.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Racism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Hate crime, Suicide, Sexual assault, Rape, and Police brutality

nialiversuch's review

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Classism, Suicide, Lesbophobia, Body shaming, Hate crime, Misogyny, and Transphobia

Moderate: Body horror, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Abortion, Death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Sexism, Biphobia, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Slavery