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A review by moonyreadsbystarlight
Miss Major Speaks: The Life and Times of a Black Trans Revolutionary by Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
5.0
I'm not sure that I can really do this book justice through a review, but here's my attempt. Suffice it to say, this is one you need to check out!
Miss Major Speaks takes us through candid conversations with a legendary queer elder and activist. She introduces us to some key people and events that impacted her life and politics, while showing us how conditions for trans women of color have (and haven't) changed.
There is so much happening in this small book but a few key things: She heavily critiques the focus on representation (tokenizing and assimilation) that have remained an issue throughout her time and has relegated the most marginalized to the back. The majority of her conversations also go back to issues with the prison and policing. Of course these two points begin together in her discussion of the Stonewall riots and the way that the story of what followed is (mis)remembered today - but that is just where the conversation begins.
It was really incredible to see so many parts of queer history that I've read about before come together through one person's life. So many things can feel like they happened so long ago until you hear someone who is still around talk about it. The choice to make most of this just conversations rather than one narrative throughout adds to this, as it feels like you're right there listening. The introduction does have more of a linear structure that frames the conversation and gives necessary background, but the discussion is really where the history comes to life.
This isn't a 101 text or an explainer - this is the raw, honest conversation of someone who has lived life and has payed attention to these parts of history that have gone on and how they connect. So go into this book to learn but if you are less educated on trans issues or the prison industrial complex, I would not be inclined to tell you to read this as a primary introduction - but it should be on your list. This sort of wisdom from someone who has lived through all of this is invaluable.
Miss Major Speaks takes us through candid conversations with a legendary queer elder and activist. She introduces us to some key people and events that impacted her life and politics, while showing us how conditions for trans women of color have (and haven't) changed.
There is so much happening in this small book but a few key things: She heavily critiques the focus on representation (tokenizing and assimilation) that have remained an issue throughout her time and has relegated the most marginalized to the back. The majority of her conversations also go back to issues with the prison and policing. Of course these two points begin together in her discussion of the Stonewall riots and the way that the story of what followed is (mis)remembered today - but that is just where the conversation begins.
It was really incredible to see so many parts of queer history that I've read about before come together through one person's life. So many things can feel like they happened so long ago until you hear someone who is still around talk about it. The choice to make most of this just conversations rather than one narrative throughout adds to this, as it feels like you're right there listening. The introduction does have more of a linear structure that frames the conversation and gives necessary background, but the discussion is really where the history comes to life.
This isn't a 101 text or an explainer - this is the raw, honest conversation of someone who has lived life and has payed attention to these parts of history that have gone on and how they connect. So go into this book to learn but if you are less educated on trans issues or the prison industrial complex, I would not be inclined to tell you to read this as a primary introduction - but it should be on your list. This sort of wisdom from someone who has lived through all of this is invaluable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Police brutality, and Medical trauma