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freev's review
2.0
Definitely a DNF for me. Too repetitive. Too angry. And don’t get me wrong, I’m all for radicalized anger I just feel like she lost making her point behind her own emotions.
exhilaratezara's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
I read this in a group of fellow femmes of Central American, South American & Caribbean heritage and it was a lovely experience. Some passages were tough to get through since I could relate a lot to Prisca’s life stories. I liked how she wrote in rhythm and patterns so it felt like poetry was weaved into the stories as well. I appreciated her direct and hard truths she told with a fair amount of context. So much love to my fellow brown girls with soft edges and tender hearts ♥️💅👑
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Genocide, Racism, and Sexism
gigi007's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Definitely made me reflect on my own journey and upbringing.
quique23's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
sweetrosegirl76's review against another edition
5.0
Wow this made me so emotional. I related to so much. I loved the part about hairy girls. I grew up hating my hair and my body bc of european beauty standards. I hadn't realized how much I had internalized. I knew that the body hair liberation movement didn't include me, and I kind of just accepted it. I knew I'd have to wait my turn, wait for it to be okay for us.
I related to the parts about not being better than your fam just bc you went to school.
The parts about toxic masculinity.
The parts about reclaiming your body and devaluing the male gaze.
The parts about the trauma the church perpetuates.
All of it. Wow.
I also appreciated that the first chapter was on voluntourism. When I was younger, I was indoctrinated to believe what many white people believe. I went on that mission trip as a kid with my father and sister, and I believed what I was taught. I think I was 14? Maybe 15. I'm glad to learn the negative impacts of what we did and what people continue to do. I did learn about the harmful effects of mission trips and voluntourism back when I was at RIT, but I hadn't read a first hand account about the damage. It challenged me to continue to unlearn what church and family has taught me.
While I feel extremely validated in my experiences reading this book, I also felt extremely validated in the work I have done to unlearn much of my upbringing. With unlearning comes guilt bc I fear I'm rejecting everything my parents taught me. And yes, I am. But when I reject teachings, they feel I am rejecting them, and that I resent them. This book did a great job in acknowledging the damage and trauma parents do, while acknowledging that they are human and were tasked with surviving. We as their children are tasked with breaking generational trauma and cycles. They are a product of their environment, of racism, of colonialism. Objectively, I been knew this. But it's nice to read it and to continue to work on believing it and letting it resonate in my head, heart, and life, bc I know I still feel a way and I still wish they did better, when they DID do better. They could only fix and do so much. I don't want to say "well at least it's not as bad as it could have been" but I do have to acknowledge that they did put a lot of work into it not being the exact same as their experiences.
I think this book was very healing for me. I appreciated it. I cried in a few parts.
I related to the parts about not being better than your fam just bc you went to school.
The parts about toxic masculinity.
The parts about reclaiming your body and devaluing the male gaze.
The parts about the trauma the church perpetuates.
All of it. Wow.
I also appreciated that the first chapter was on voluntourism. When I was younger, I was indoctrinated to believe what many white people believe. I went on that mission trip as a kid with my father and sister, and I believed what I was taught. I think I was 14? Maybe 15. I'm glad to learn the negative impacts of what we did and what people continue to do. I did learn about the harmful effects of mission trips and voluntourism back when I was at RIT, but I hadn't read a first hand account about the damage. It challenged me to continue to unlearn what church and family has taught me.
While I feel extremely validated in my experiences reading this book, I also felt extremely validated in the work I have done to unlearn much of my upbringing. With unlearning comes guilt bc I fear I'm rejecting everything my parents taught me. And yes, I am. But when I reject teachings, they feel I am rejecting them, and that I resent them. This book did a great job in acknowledging the damage and trauma parents do, while acknowledging that they are human and were tasked with surviving. We as their children are tasked with breaking generational trauma and cycles. They are a product of their environment, of racism, of colonialism. Objectively, I been knew this. But it's nice to read it and to continue to work on believing it and letting it resonate in my head, heart, and life, bc I know I still feel a way and I still wish they did better, when they DID do better. They could only fix and do so much. I don't want to say "well at least it's not as bad as it could have been" but I do have to acknowledge that they did put a lot of work into it not being the exact same as their experiences.
I think this book was very healing for me. I appreciated it. I cried in a few parts.
indigoivee's review
4.0
This is a powerful and poignant collection of essays by poet and author Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez. This book is not just a literary work; it's a heartfelt ode, a celebration, and an affirmation of the strength, resilience, and beauty of women of color.
The author crafts each essay with a compelling blend of raw honesty and poetic prose, providing an intimate glimpse into the multifaceted experiences of women of color. The title itself sets the tone, acknowledging the duality that many women face – the sharp edges borne out of navigating a world that often marginalizes them, juxtaposed with the tender hearts that beat with love, passion, and resilience.
The collection covers a wide range of themes, including identity, race, love, feminism, and the intersections of these elements. Mojica Rodriguez explores the complexities of being a woman of color, addressing the challenges and triumphs with a candor that is both empowering and relatable. Her writing serves as a mirror for readers who see their own experiences reflected and validated.
What makes this collection stand out is the author's ability to navigate the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength. The author invites readers into her personal journey while also creating a space for them to reflect on their own stories. The essays are a call to action, urging women of color to embrace their sharp edges, celebrate their tender hearts, and unapologetically exist in a world that often demands conformity.
The language used in the book is both evocative and accessible, making it a compelling read for a wide audience. Mojica Rodriguez's poetic background is evident in the lyrical quality of her prose, adding a layer of beauty to the depth of her messages.
This work of art is a conversation starter, a source of empowerment, and a reminder that the narratives of women of color deserve to be heard, acknowledged, and celebrated. Mojica Rodriguez has created a love letter that resonates, challenges, and ultimately uplifts, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences within the spectrum of womanhood.
The author crafts each essay with a compelling blend of raw honesty and poetic prose, providing an intimate glimpse into the multifaceted experiences of women of color. The title itself sets the tone, acknowledging the duality that many women face – the sharp edges borne out of navigating a world that often marginalizes them, juxtaposed with the tender hearts that beat with love, passion, and resilience.
The collection covers a wide range of themes, including identity, race, love, feminism, and the intersections of these elements. Mojica Rodriguez explores the complexities of being a woman of color, addressing the challenges and triumphs with a candor that is both empowering and relatable. Her writing serves as a mirror for readers who see their own experiences reflected and validated.
What makes this collection stand out is the author's ability to navigate the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength. The author invites readers into her personal journey while also creating a space for them to reflect on their own stories. The essays are a call to action, urging women of color to embrace their sharp edges, celebrate their tender hearts, and unapologetically exist in a world that often demands conformity.
The language used in the book is both evocative and accessible, making it a compelling read for a wide audience. Mojica Rodriguez's poetic background is evident in the lyrical quality of her prose, adding a layer of beauty to the depth of her messages.
This work of art is a conversation starter, a source of empowerment, and a reminder that the narratives of women of color deserve to be heard, acknowledged, and celebrated. Mojica Rodriguez has created a love letter that resonates, challenges, and ultimately uplifts, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences within the spectrum of womanhood.