A review by kiwi_00
Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Why I really like Confessions Of An Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney

Goffney focuses on the very specific experience of being a middle class Black teenage girl in the United States, which a large number of people find relatable. Monique's Blackness is not the singular most important quality of hers, however, every thing that she lives through within the book is impacted by her race which is what happens in real life. We're all people who have different personalities but because of the way Blackness is treated in the face of white supremacy, every facet of our identity is affected by that. Intersectionality is such a big part of this book and the intracommunal discussions that need to happen around gender to improve the understanding of the struggles that marginalised genders encounter and the potential solutions. The intersection of gender and race are pivotal reasons as to why her father reacts in an appalling manner when
Dom lies to him and to why Myracle left
. For some readers, Goffney introduces the idea of intersectionality and for others, allows them to feel represented where the concept of misogynoir feels like a social media buzzword instead of sociological terminology to describe some people's struggles in a white supremacist patriarchy. 
Whilst writing about this, Goffney also manages to explore class dynamics within the Black community and respectability politics. Monique's parents, especially her mum are a depiction of middle class Black people (or Black people above the age of 50ish) who think that the best way to advance economic classes is to adhere to the social standards that have been cultivated by white supremacy. Not being loud in public, dressing 'appropriately' and respecting your elders are all key parts of respectability politics, which can only function through the systemic and intracommunal policing of the self and of others,this phenomenon is most noticeable whenever Monique's mum and Reggie interact; albeit having a number of funny interactions, 
Monique's mum never fails to reiterate to him that she thinks that he's nothing more than a common hooligan whose antics will land him in jail eventually
. For people who pride themselves on 'upstanding' ethics, she says this to Reggie's face multiple times and doesn't really attempt to help him apart from acting as a disciplinary figure. Monique also adheres to (what I imagine) are her mother's strict set of respectability politics rules as she has a deep-rooted fear of behaving in an 'untoward' manner in public and people judging her harshly based on previous actions (such as fearing that Reggie would think badly of her for kissing Dom outside of church). However, a slight difference between respectability 'expectations' for Black boys and Black girls, is that it is tied to a girl/woman's body and her sexuality. Confessions Of An Alleged Good Girl is very relatable because it reminds people who grew up with these experiences of how anxiety-inducing and mentally draining it is to try and be perfect all the time whilst viewing yourself from a third person perspective to anticipate how other people will react to what you do or say. 
The inability to say what you're thinking (among other things) is not conducive to forming a comprehensive idea of what an unhealthy relationship looks like. For many readers (but especially teenagers) it is imperative to learn what an unhealthy relationship can look like especially in comparison to a healthy relationship. Dom and Monique's relationship was unhealthy, not only because
he was pressuring her to have sex but because her own dreams, friends and time were secondary to any of Dom's wishes
. In a romantic relationship, a woman's life shouldn't become secondary to anything, much less the desires of a man. Reggie and Monique's
relationship
is much healthier because it functions as a partnership where each individual is equally important and valued by the other. Monique only comes to these realisations through self-reflections and deep thought. It is ironic that the people who Monique thinks she's better than, teach her so much about sex, vaginas and letting go of respectability politics. The best part of this found family dynamic is that Reggie
had no importance in the search for dilators to help cure vaginismus
. I also really liked those moments of vulnerability, where one of the characters would share something about themselves (secret or otherwise) and it made their bond much more real.
Religion is a crucial component of this book since Monique is a pastor's daughter. However, it is the main way that respectability politics polices women. The conflation of female family members with personal property is the reason so many men get angry at the prospect of a future, imaginary daughter doing something that they consider 'fast' and inappropriate (regardless of if it actually was because they demean and maintain a strong distaste for women who do act like that). This is why Monique's dad gets so angry at her. Religion as the tool for respectability politics makes Monique feel guilty for desiring and experiencing any type of pleasure. One of the core beliefs of Christianity, especially in Catholicism is the idea that suffering is Christ-like and brings you closer to God and it is likely that this is prevalent across all denominations.

I love this book so much and I will continue to re-read it as it brings me so much joy.
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