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A review by jberg216
Crosshairs by Catherine Hernandez
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
“When I do not act I am complicit.
When I know wrong is happening I act.
When the oppressed tell me I am wrong I open my heart and change.
When change is led by the oppressed, I move aside and uplift.”
This book was powerful. It was real and raw and an important warning of what could happen if we do not pay attention and be an ally every day. As the book says, ally is a verb and not a noun. As a cis white woman, I know I could be doing better at being an ally.
There’s a part in the book where Kay is remembering before the renovation and he remembered sharing a post about disabled access on the subway and they felt good for doing that performative action and never thought about it again until he himself was in trouble. He wished that his allies would help him in a real and tangible way. This hit me hard as I know that I too have done a performative action and felt good about it without actually helping anyone.
This book really made me think about my actions and I will be thinking for a long time.
When I know wrong is happening I act.
When the oppressed tell me I am wrong I open my heart and change.
When change is led by the oppressed, I move aside and uplift.”
This book was powerful. It was real and raw and an important warning of what could happen if we do not pay attention and be an ally every day. As the book says, ally is a verb and not a noun. As a cis white woman, I know I could be doing better at being an ally.
There’s a part in the book where Kay is remembering before the renovation and he remembered sharing a post about disabled access on the subway and they felt good for doing that performative action and never thought about it again until he himself was in trouble. He wished that his allies would help him in a real and tangible way. This hit me hard as I know that I too have done a performative action and felt good about it without actually helping anyone.
This book really made me think about my actions and I will be thinking for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Rape