When I was a kid every book I read and particularly over the summer was followed by a book report. I loved reading but those of you with a secondary degree, probably have reasoned that reading for fun is something you yearn for, but might not get to accomplish, even as your Amazon wish lists continue to grow.
Over the last few years I've been able to reclaim my joy of reading through a book club with my sister and just finally catching a rhythm in work and life. So I might as well return to the lessons my dad taught me and share what I've learned....
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Around the Way Girl: A Memoir By Taraji P. Henson
If you are a fan of celebrity Taraji P. Henson, RUN, do not walk to get this book. And don't just get this book on your Kindle or digitally, invest in the hard copy of this book, because it is WORTH IT! Of course there is a draw to see what glimpses of the individual you might get. Especially when all you tend to see is the characters she is portraying on the big screen or tv.
So when I picked up this book, I didn't expect what I received, but I should have been prepared because the authenticity that lives through Taraji Penda Henson, in her social media and through her interviews is the same around the way girl that allowed herself to be vulnerable in this book.
Being able to take a glimpse under the makeup and couture clothing was refreshing, exhilarating and a truly tremendous experience.
There is a quote in her book that I think captures the essence of what this book meant to me "There is no one way to present a black woman; we have a voice and we have the right not only to have that voice but also to see it reflected back at us..."
Now she was talking about representation in acting, but in it's simplest form this quote reminds me of two things 1. She herself as an individual and an actress is a complex person--duh, we all are? But in that how often do we take for granted who we THINK we know celebrities are and who they TRULY are? That's what this book did for me--- it reflected back at us the voice that we collectively have. There are so many details littered throughout the pages of this book that remind me of the stories and experiences that I have grappled with. And its exhilarating to see wisdom throughout these pages and to at least catch a glimpse of some road map when faced with some of those same life lessons.
2. This quote in it's essence reminds me of the book by Henry Louis Gates, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man . It's a reminder that we're not unitary individuals. That just because we have an outward commonality, it doesn't mean that we are all the same.
When it comes to acting the portrayals of the experiences of people of color are so limited and have only just lately started to see some diversity.
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This book, touches on so many aspects, who the key figures were in her life and what she learned from them. That it takes a village to raise a person and behind Taraji is an entire village that has supported her as she rose to her acclaim and continues. I think the most vibrant, telling sections were the chapters on her son. Those ones broke me, I definitely shed a few tears through them. And as a future mother of a young Black man, she highlighted some of the hopes and fears that future mothers of young Black men will carry.
All in all, this book left me excited to have a different understanding of the woman that is Tarji P. Henson--- it also made me wish I had her in my corner and after you read this book, you'll understand why.
via GIPHY
I recommend this book with 2 thumbs up!
There is a quote in her book that I think captures the essence of what this book meant to me "There is no one way to present a black woman; we have a voice and we have the right not only to have that voice but also to see it reflected back at us..."
Now she was talking about representation in acting, but in it's simplest form this quote reminds me of two things 1. She herself as an individual and an actress is a complex person--duh, we all are? But in that how often do we take for granted who we THINK we know celebrities are and who they TRULY are? That's what this book did for me--- it reflected back at us the voice that we collectively have. There are so many details littered throughout the pages of this book that remind me of the stories and experiences that I have grappled with. And its exhilarating to see wisdom throughout these pages and to at least catch a glimpse of some road map when faced with some of those same life lessons.
2. This quote in it's essence reminds me of the book by Henry Louis Gates, Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Man . It's a reminder that we're not unitary individuals. That just because we have an outward commonality, it doesn't mean that we are all the same.
When it comes to acting the portrayals of the experiences of people of color are so limited and have only just lately started to see some diversity.
---
This book, touches on so many aspects, who the key figures were in her life and what she learned from them. That it takes a village to raise a person and behind Taraji is an entire village that has supported her as she rose to her acclaim and continues. I think the most vibrant, telling sections were the chapters on her son. Those ones broke me, I definitely shed a few tears through them. And as a future mother of a young Black man, she highlighted some of the hopes and fears that future mothers of young Black men will carry.
All in all, this book left me excited to have a different understanding of the woman that is Tarji P. Henson--- it also made me wish I had her in my corner and after you read this book, you'll understand why.
via GIPHY
I recommend this book with 2 thumbs up!
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