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utopiastateofmind's review
4.5
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Truth About White Lies is a book that was not written for me. It's written for white teens who are at the beginning of their journey. At the stage where they feel that pit of the stomach feeling that a comment is wrong, that a joke isn't funny, but aren't yet at the point of speaking up. Of knowing and putting into words why it isn't funny. To seeing the ways they benefit from their skin color in a world that judges based on appearance. Because to not be aware of your skin color is very much an experience only for certain people.
So while Shania can be a frustrating character, part of that is precisely the point. Because that feeling already can examine the bystander effects, the ways she doesn't understand why 'it always has to be about white people'. She's at the beginning moments. And where The Truth About White Lies excels is by illustrating a story where Shania has to truly reckon with her privilege, to allow what others are saying in, and to have her moment of understanding.
Not only that, but Cole does a fantastic job of never excusing the comments, of providing these clues and breadcrumbs we fail to see, and also dismantling the comments of white supremacy. To not portray a sense of white savior mentality or of glorifying this journey. Shania is very much a flawed human - like us all - in her quest for love and being 'seen', for craving closure about her grandma, and wanting so desperately to have friends. But the point about The Truth About White Lies is that we have to be responsible for our choices and we can chose differently.
The Truth About White Lies is a book that was not written for me. It's written for white teens who are at the beginning of their journey. At the stage where they feel that pit of the stomach feeling that a comment is wrong, that a joke isn't funny, but aren't yet at the point of speaking up. Of knowing and putting into words why it isn't funny. To seeing the ways they benefit from their skin color in a world that judges based on appearance. Because to not be aware of your skin color is very much an experience only for certain people.
So while Shania can be a frustrating character, part of that is precisely the point. Because that feeling already can examine the bystander effects, the ways she doesn't understand why 'it always has to be about white people'. She's at the beginning moments. And where The Truth About White Lies excels is by illustrating a story where Shania has to truly reckon with her privilege, to allow what others are saying in, and to have her moment of understanding.
Not only that, but Cole does a fantastic job of never excusing the comments, of providing these clues and breadcrumbs we fail to see, and also dismantling the comments of white supremacy. To not portray a sense of white savior mentality or of glorifying this journey. Shania is very much a flawed human - like us all - in her quest for love and being 'seen', for craving closure about her grandma, and wanting so desperately to have friends. But the point about The Truth About White Lies is that we have to be responsible for our choices and we can chose differently.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Islamophobia, Homophobia, Fatphobia, and Racism
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