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fionamclary 's review for:
README.txt
by Chelsea Manning
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
"I was uncontrollable, uncowed, capable of direct action." (Page 224)
When Chelsea Manning was arrested, I was in 3rd grade. I had a vague awareness of her case and transition progressing during my middle school and early high school years, so it was enlightening to fill in the gaps in my understanding of things that happened when I was a child and not exactly fully conscious. I got so much more than that from this book.
I am in complete awe of this woman. Chelsea Manning is like a natural wildfire: ungovernable to those who don't understand her, a vital sign to those who do, and ultimately a cleansing force making way for new growth in every ecosystem she touches. And yet in just about every way she is a regular, normal person. She never had any intentions of making grand symbolic gestures or becoming an icon, she just had a strong moral code and stuck to it regardless of the consequences. I know she doesn't want to be anyone's figurehead, no ideology's symbol, and I completely understand that, especially considering the difficulties she's had with living on her own terms. But her flaws, humility, and humanity only make me treasure her more. I hope she gets to live a long life of freedom. I have a feeling we're going to need her, and others like her, in the coming years.
Taking off 0.25 stars because I found the timeline prior to her enlistment to be a bit confusing.
When Chelsea Manning was arrested, I was in 3rd grade. I had a vague awareness of her case and transition progressing during my middle school and early high school years, so it was enlightening to fill in the gaps in my understanding of things that happened when I was a child and not exactly fully conscious. I got so much more than that from this book.
I am in complete awe of this woman. Chelsea Manning is like a natural wildfire: ungovernable to those who don't understand her, a vital sign to those who do, and ultimately a cleansing force making way for new growth in every ecosystem she touches. And yet in just about every way she is a regular, normal person. She never had any intentions of making grand symbolic gestures or becoming an icon, she just had a strong moral code and stuck to it regardless of the consequences. I know she doesn't want to be anyone's figurehead, no ideology's symbol, and I completely understand that, especially considering the difficulties she's had with living on her own terms. But her flaws, humility, and humanity only make me treasure her more. I hope she gets to live a long life of freedom. I have a feeling we're going to need her, and others like her, in the coming years.
Taking off 0.25 stars because I found the timeline prior to her enlistment to be a bit confusing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Transphobia, Murder, Dysphoria, War
Moderate: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Outing
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Islamophobia