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A review by itsmejennigee
The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After by Clemantine Wamariya
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
My reading list has randomly come up a bit heavy lately, and this one continues that trend. Yet, I have the privilege of being separate from the experiences mentioned within the story. I have the ability to say that I understand without actually knowing. And this comes even after having talks like this with a former roommate whose story mirrors Clemantine’s closely as a Congolese refugee also in Chicago.
.
I’m quite happy that generational trauma and other PTSD is being more commonly discussed as well as understood, but I’m still saddened to see that there is such a lack of resources—even for someone with her status. I cannot imagine a day that she will not be touched by her past or her experiences, and I’m grateful that she was able to make it through all that she did to tell her story, but the cost of all the others who died… Why are we, humanity, so fixated on forcing others to think/act/do as we do? Where is the appreciation is differences that can compliment each other rather than fight for prowess?
.
Please, find organizations like the Human Library (@humanlibraryorganization) and speak to—genuinely listen to and digest—people sharing stories unlike your own. It’s only through hearing experiences we could not have ourselves that we could even begin to bridge the numerous gaps in communication that cause so much strife and death around the world.
.
I’m quite happy that generational trauma and other PTSD is being more commonly discussed as well as understood, but I’m still saddened to see that there is such a lack of resources—even for someone with her status. I cannot imagine a day that she will not be touched by her past or her experiences, and I’m grateful that she was able to make it through all that she did to tell her story, but the cost of all the others who died… Why are we, humanity, so fixated on forcing others to think/act/do as we do? Where is the appreciation is differences that can compliment each other rather than fight for prowess?
.
Please, find organizations like the Human Library (@humanlibraryorganization) and speak to—genuinely listen to and digest—people sharing stories unlike your own. It’s only through hearing experiences we could not have ourselves that we could even begin to bridge the numerous gaps in communication that cause so much strife and death around the world.