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"I Will Not Be Erased": Our stories about growing up as people of colour
Fourteen funny, insightful and inspirational essays from gal-dem, the award-winning magazine and creative collective of young women of colour.
gal-dem are an award-winning creative collective of young women of colour, described by the Guardian as “bubbling with energy, ideas and talent”. In this thought-provoking collection of fourteen essays, their writers take raw material from their teenage years – diaries, poems and chat histories – and explore growing up. Straight-talking, funny and insightful, the essays tackle important subjects including race, gender, mental health and activism, making this essential reading for any young person.
gal-dem are an award-winning creative collective of young women of colour, described by the Guardian as “bubbling with energy, ideas and talent”. In this thought-provoking collection of fourteen essays, their writers take raw material from their teenage years – diaries, poems and chat histories – and explore growing up. Straight-talking, funny and insightful, the essays tackle important subjects including race, gender, mental health and activism, making this essential reading for any young person.
208 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2019
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3120 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
June 14, 2019
"Don't let wanting to fit in stop you from doing something you love."
I Will Not Be Erased is a collection of essays about growing up as a people of colour. What connects the 14 essays, is the feeling of always standing out among white, straight, and cis people, of being left out and of going unheard. In reaction to that, this book is a declaration of self-love and acceptance. It tells you that if you have ever felt left out or been bullied because you don't "fit it", you are valid and derserve to be loved for yourself. It says that your voice matters because you are kind, talented, and brave, even if you might not feel that way right now. It shows that you should be proud of your heritage, your nerdiness, your passion, your body, your intelligence because people come in all shapes and sizes and there is no one quite like you.
I Will Not Be Erased was written by gal-dem, a magazine created by female and nonbinary people of colour. They talk about how they felt when their parents set strict curfews, when they weren't allowed to shave their legs or shave off their moustache, when they were ridiculed our bullied because their classmates thought their food smelled funny, their clothes were uncool, or their hair wasn't straight or soft enough. The essays cover a wide range of topics - sex and viriginity, drugs, body images, parents, sexuality, sexual identity, love, race. The essays are all empowering in their own way and even though I may not be the target audience, I'm glad to know this book is out there. I hope it will reach as many teens as possible and give them the strength and confidence they need to navigate school, family, and friends when they're still trying to figure out who they are and where they want to go.
I enjoyed most of the essays a lot, though they often happened to be repetitive and not as differentiated as they could have been, both from the writing style as well as content-wise. On the one hand, it's an essay collection directed to a younger audience, so it doesn't hurt to keep it simple. Then again, I felt like certain statements were repeated over and over again and I would have preferred more individuality or variety. Some essays were sadder than others, some quite funny - especially The Boyfriend Box. But they all were truthful and brave. And the design and especially the illustrations were fantastic and so pretty I want to frame them and put them up on my bedroom walls.
I hope this isn't the last book by gal-dem. I think there are still worlds to conquer out there and whatever idea they come up with next, I will definitely read it.
Find more of my books on Instagram
I Will Not Be Erased is a collection of essays about growing up as a people of colour. What connects the 14 essays, is the feeling of always standing out among white, straight, and cis people, of being left out and of going unheard. In reaction to that, this book is a declaration of self-love and acceptance. It tells you that if you have ever felt left out or been bullied because you don't "fit it", you are valid and derserve to be loved for yourself. It says that your voice matters because you are kind, talented, and brave, even if you might not feel that way right now. It shows that you should be proud of your heritage, your nerdiness, your passion, your body, your intelligence because people come in all shapes and sizes and there is no one quite like you.
I Will Not Be Erased was written by gal-dem, a magazine created by female and nonbinary people of colour. They talk about how they felt when their parents set strict curfews, when they weren't allowed to shave their legs or shave off their moustache, when they were ridiculed our bullied because their classmates thought their food smelled funny, their clothes were uncool, or their hair wasn't straight or soft enough. The essays cover a wide range of topics - sex and viriginity, drugs, body images, parents, sexuality, sexual identity, love, race. The essays are all empowering in their own way and even though I may not be the target audience, I'm glad to know this book is out there. I hope it will reach as many teens as possible and give them the strength and confidence they need to navigate school, family, and friends when they're still trying to figure out who they are and where they want to go.
I enjoyed most of the essays a lot, though they often happened to be repetitive and not as differentiated as they could have been, both from the writing style as well as content-wise. On the one hand, it's an essay collection directed to a younger audience, so it doesn't hurt to keep it simple. Then again, I felt like certain statements were repeated over and over again and I would have preferred more individuality or variety. Some essays were sadder than others, some quite funny - especially The Boyfriend Box. But they all were truthful and brave. And the design and especially the illustrations were fantastic and so pretty I want to frame them and put them up on my bedroom walls.
I hope this isn't the last book by gal-dem. I think there are still worlds to conquer out there and whatever idea they come up with next, I will definitely read it.
Find more of my books on Instagram
June 7, 2019
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
“I Will Not Be Erased” is a book that I wasn’t sure whether I should be reviewing or not. You see I am not their target audience and have not been through any of what these incredible and brave writers in the book have been through. Whilst I knew that the book would open my eyes to the world around me, I felt that this book was written with an audience in mind, young people of colour, so that they could read the stories about what the authors had been through and be able to relate fully to them and take with them some wisdom and advise that the book is providing.
However, I do believe that no matter what your upbringing, race, colour or religion it is always worthwhile to educate yourself on the world and the people in it, to get a better understanding of how people, unlike yourself, live. Through these fourteen different stories or essays, each written by a different person you are taken on a journey through various people’s teenage years via their writing, memories, poems and diary entries.
Each story is only a few pages long but they certainly give you something to think about and can be quite emotional. I won’t go over all the stories, but I will tell you that each is individual and unique. They are all heartfelt and will make you stop and think.
The book opens with Yumna Al-Arashi who is a Yemeni-Egyptian-American photographer, writer, and film-maker. She relives a childhood memory from her school days regarding racist bullying and the injustice in the school to tackle it. She looks back at how she handled the situation and via talking to her younger-self she explains what she wishes she had done differently now that she is older and wiser.
The book covers subjects such as a hatred of a mother for not allowing her younger-self to be like the other girls, insecurities about the way they looked or having to deal with racism, just a few of the subjects that have been written about.
I truly believe that this is a must-read book for teenagers. It is one that they can dip into when they need some advice. I think this is an important and inspirational book. I can see this book helping teenagers come to understand that they are individuals that need to learn to love themselves just the way they are.
“I Will Not Be Erased” is a book that I wasn’t sure whether I should be reviewing or not. You see I am not their target audience and have not been through any of what these incredible and brave writers in the book have been through. Whilst I knew that the book would open my eyes to the world around me, I felt that this book was written with an audience in mind, young people of colour, so that they could read the stories about what the authors had been through and be able to relate fully to them and take with them some wisdom and advise that the book is providing.
However, I do believe that no matter what your upbringing, race, colour or religion it is always worthwhile to educate yourself on the world and the people in it, to get a better understanding of how people, unlike yourself, live. Through these fourteen different stories or essays, each written by a different person you are taken on a journey through various people’s teenage years via their writing, memories, poems and diary entries.
Each story is only a few pages long but they certainly give you something to think about and can be quite emotional. I won’t go over all the stories, but I will tell you that each is individual and unique. They are all heartfelt and will make you stop and think.
The book opens with Yumna Al-Arashi who is a Yemeni-Egyptian-American photographer, writer, and film-maker. She relives a childhood memory from her school days regarding racist bullying and the injustice in the school to tackle it. She looks back at how she handled the situation and via talking to her younger-self she explains what she wishes she had done differently now that she is older and wiser.
The book covers subjects such as a hatred of a mother for not allowing her younger-self to be like the other girls, insecurities about the way they looked or having to deal with racism, just a few of the subjects that have been written about.
I truly believe that this is a must-read book for teenagers. It is one that they can dip into when they need some advice. I think this is an important and inspirational book. I can see this book helping teenagers come to understand that they are individuals that need to learn to love themselves just the way they are.
June 23, 2019
23/6/19
My full review is up on my Youtube channel, you can find it here: "I Will Not Be Erased"
2/6/19
A massive thank you to Gal-dem and Walker YA for this copy! I picked it up this morning and could not put it down. If there ever was a book I needed to read at this point in my life (or any earlier) it sure is this one. If you are a person of colour, growing up in a place where who you are doesn’t fit the bill of ‘how/what you ought to be’ READ THIS. If that isn’t the case, I’d still say READ IT. "I Will Not Be Erased" is a collection of stories from people of colour about growing up as such. Topics range from identity, sexuality, family, love and power, and I can assure you that in these brutally honest accounts you will be able to find strength, inspiration and solace. Growing up black in Europe and not fitting the boxes people constantly try and confine me to, has been pretty harsh to say the least. It’s been a huge effort the passed 1.5 years trying to dismantle years and years of self-loathing, but it’s these type of stories that show I’m not alone in this and that we’ll get there eventually. My full review will be up on my Youtube channel next week!
You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website
My full review is up on my Youtube channel, you can find it here: "I Will Not Be Erased"
2/6/19
A massive thank you to Gal-dem and Walker YA for this copy! I picked it up this morning and could not put it down. If there ever was a book I needed to read at this point in my life (or any earlier) it sure is this one. If you are a person of colour, growing up in a place where who you are doesn’t fit the bill of ‘how/what you ought to be’ READ THIS. If that isn’t the case, I’d still say READ IT. "I Will Not Be Erased" is a collection of stories from people of colour about growing up as such. Topics range from identity, sexuality, family, love and power, and I can assure you that in these brutally honest accounts you will be able to find strength, inspiration and solace. Growing up black in Europe and not fitting the boxes people constantly try and confine me to, has been pretty harsh to say the least. It’s been a huge effort the passed 1.5 years trying to dismantle years and years of self-loathing, but it’s these type of stories that show I’m not alone in this and that we’ll get there eventually. My full review will be up on my Youtube channel next week!
You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website
September 26, 2020
In I will not be erased gal-dem magazine brings together the voices of a range of women and non-binary people of colour. In some ways this is a follow-up to collections like Nikesh Shukla’s The Good Immigrant but aimed at a younger, teenage audience. Mainly based in England, contributors reflect on what it felt like to grow up in a predominantly white society. A number use a template, producing letters for their teenage selves about the issues they grappled with: losing their virginity, coming out as a lesbian, racism post-9/11, feeling caught between cultures, the destructive impact of Eurocentric ideas of what makes a person or a body beautiful through to carving out a space through political activism.
The concept behind the book’s simple and, for me anyway, easy to relate to particularly when I consider my own experiences of growing up in Britain, that constant unsettling sense of invisibility or being on the margins,
it’s the book we wish had existed when we were growing up…So many of us felt the sting of erasure when we were young. We didn’t see ourselves in literature or comics, in TV or film, or in the world around us. Our voices and experiences were missing from the history books and from positions of power. We know that many of our younger siblings and friends are still struggling…we want to show you that your voice matters and your experiences are important.
The various writers' prose styles are oddly uniform, presumably a result of the way this was edited, which is slightly disconcerting. And it’s not as polished an anthology as The Good Immigrant but I don’t think it needs to be, it works well for what it is, a gesture of solidarity and a positive resource for anyone who might need it.
The concept behind the book’s simple and, for me anyway, easy to relate to particularly when I consider my own experiences of growing up in Britain, that constant unsettling sense of invisibility or being on the margins,
it’s the book we wish had existed when we were growing up…So many of us felt the sting of erasure when we were young. We didn’t see ourselves in literature or comics, in TV or film, or in the world around us. Our voices and experiences were missing from the history books and from positions of power. We know that many of our younger siblings and friends are still struggling…we want to show you that your voice matters and your experiences are important.
The various writers' prose styles are oddly uniform, presumably a result of the way this was edited, which is slightly disconcerting. And it’s not as polished an anthology as The Good Immigrant but I don’t think it needs to be, it works well for what it is, a gesture of solidarity and a positive resource for anyone who might need it.
February 6, 2021
This worked really well for what it is: a collection of short essays from women and non-binary poc!
All of these essays will help you feel a little less alone in your everyday struggle even if you don't share the identities and experiences of the authors. I didn't and could still take a lot from it both for my own personal growth but also for my general education and knowledge about what it means to grow up as a person of colour in a mostly white society.
What stuck most with me is how all of the essays spoke about how they have felt lesser than other people especially during their childhood and teenage years. That knowledge is something I hope to take with me to my work with children in the future. No one should ever feel like they are less worth than anyone else!
All of these essays will help you feel a little less alone in your everyday struggle even if you don't share the identities and experiences of the authors. I didn't and could still take a lot from it both for my own personal growth but also for my general education and knowledge about what it means to grow up as a person of colour in a mostly white society.
What stuck most with me is how all of the essays spoke about how they have felt lesser than other people especially during their childhood and teenage years. That knowledge is something I hope to take with me to my work with children in the future. No one should ever feel like they are less worth than anyone else!
June 21, 2019
An important book about identity sexuality family love and about growing up as people of colour. Racism and revenge will always be bigger than your bullies. The story beginning is from a diary at the age of 14, where a dead possum was left on the door step among other things that happened. I loved the drawing of pictures throughout this book, they definitely have a meaning to them. I would like to thank Walker books for giving me the opportunity to read such an important book that has really meant something to me and I'm sure other readers will find it quite a sentimental read.
November 28, 2021
Reading this book meant so much to me. If you're a teenager, I HIGHLY recommend you to read it.
This book shared so many stories and I am so happy I could learn so much from them.
Some of my favourite quotes:
"There is enough pressure on your shoulders from adults, teachers, school, hormones and social media without adding even more on yourself. Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself like you would your best friend."
"I don't want you to regret not getting to know yourself, for yourself, sooner."
"Don't let wanting to fit in stop you from doing something you love."
"Society has ridiculously unrealistic expectations of what women's bodies should be like."
This book shared so many stories and I am so happy I could learn so much from them.
Some of my favourite quotes:
"There is enough pressure on your shoulders from adults, teachers, school, hormones and social media without adding even more on yourself. Be kind to yourself. Treat yourself like you would your best friend."
"I don't want you to regret not getting to know yourself, for yourself, sooner."
"Don't let wanting to fit in stop you from doing something you love."
"Society has ridiculously unrealistic expectations of what women's bodies should be like."
January 12, 2022
this book is like getting a hug and advice from an older sibling. Its a book I wish I had when a kid and but it is incredibly healing to read as an adult-- highly highly recommend for all people of colour navigating their identities and feeling lost
October 3, 2019
Een belangrijk boek over opgroeien met thema’s als racisme, gepest worden, experimenteren met drugs, body positivity, daten en je maagdelijkheid verliezen - allemaal vanuit het perspectief van iemand van kleur. Qua insteek een beetje Charlie magazine maar dan voor jongere lezers. De teksten lezen vlot, ze zijn in een mooie vormgeving gegoten en aangevuld met prachtige illustraties.
Een uitgebreide recensie volgt.
Een uitgebreide recensie volgt.
April 18, 2023
So full of warmth and wisdom, and incredibly helpful. I've never seen the "writing back to yourself" trope done better, and I look forward to keeping this on my bookcase to dip back into for decades to come. RIP gal-dem, you'll never be forgotten. ♡
May 30, 2020
Great collection of stories and nice to write to your teenage self and say it’s gonna be okay...hang in there you’ve got this!
So for teens reading this book...defo try to keep a diary or journal your thoughts coz your future self might thank you for it!
So for teens reading this book...defo try to keep a diary or journal your thoughts coz your future self might thank you for it!
June 30, 2019
I have to start out by saying that I do not come from a marginalised background. Maybe some people will think that should have disqualified me from commenting on this book but I disagree. I think books like this are so important, not only in giving marginalised readers a place where they can be seen and heard, but also in educating readers like myself who come from a more privileged social position. I’m really glad to see the publishing industry making an effort to provide us with more literature like this and giving everyone the representation they deserve.
I will say that even though I couldn’t necessarily relate to the struggles of the writers on a fundamental level (ie. I’m not a person of colour), there were still themes that resonated with me very deeply. I think this book is a great gateway to opening up some important conversations and I genuinely hope it finds its way into schools because this should be required reading for all young people.
In terms of the book itself, it was extremely readable. Each essay is only a few pages long and punctuated with cute illustrations, meaning it is easy to dip in and out of when you have a few spare minutes. I was really intrigued by the authors’ use of real raw material such as poems and diary entries from their teenage years. I thought this really added to the emotion throughout the book.
And wow, was there a lot of emotion. My heart broke for these young girls. Knowing that bullying and racism like this occurs is one thing but to have it written down on the page in front of you is difficult and eye-opening. I can only hope that things have improved from when these women were going through their teenage years, and that we will all continue to learn and improve. Books like this are surely a great step forward in educating people.
Overall, this is an important and necessary collection that I think everyone should read. Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a free copy!
I will say that even though I couldn’t necessarily relate to the struggles of the writers on a fundamental level (ie. I’m not a person of colour), there were still themes that resonated with me very deeply. I think this book is a great gateway to opening up some important conversations and I genuinely hope it finds its way into schools because this should be required reading for all young people.
In terms of the book itself, it was extremely readable. Each essay is only a few pages long and punctuated with cute illustrations, meaning it is easy to dip in and out of when you have a few spare minutes. I was really intrigued by the authors’ use of real raw material such as poems and diary entries from their teenage years. I thought this really added to the emotion throughout the book.
And wow, was there a lot of emotion. My heart broke for these young girls. Knowing that bullying and racism like this occurs is one thing but to have it written down on the page in front of you is difficult and eye-opening. I can only hope that things have improved from when these women were going through their teenage years, and that we will all continue to learn and improve. Books like this are surely a great step forward in educating people.
Overall, this is an important and necessary collection that I think everyone should read. Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a free copy!
August 10, 2019
Whilst I am clearly not the target audience for this book (being a cis, hetero, white woman for those who don't know the face behind the blog!) I was completely taken in with the gorgeous writing inside this book. I love personal essays, and each essay in this book had its own treasure that I felt very fortunate to be able to explore. Although it would be wrong of me to say I could relate to every experience in this book, I believe it is really important to submerge yourself in other people's experiences (especially as a cis, hetero, white person) as told by themselves, and not written by, say, other cis, hetero white people. The fact that these personal essays included snippets from the writers' childhood diaries, poems and online messages made the whole experience so much more poignant for me.
I thought all of the essays were brilliant, but there were a few that particularly stood out for me: '"You Speak Well for a Black Girl": Black is who You Are' by Niellah Arboine, 'My Cousin Medyaï' by Kuchenga and 'The lesson of Dance School: The Dream that Wasn't a Dream' by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff. The illustrations in the book that accompany the essays are as beautiful as the writing... the drawings convey so much joy, and for me represent what the whole book is really about: celebrating POC, taking up as much space as possible, space that for so long has been reserved for a select few.
Reading these essays were such a rich experience, and it was a huge priviledge to read them. It made me reflect a lot on my life growing up, and the people I knew surrounding me, and how I had a totally different experience to maybe, some of the girls in my West London school. I had within me and surrounding me so much priviledge that I didn't even recognise, let alone appreciate. Thank you, writers of gal-dem, for this extraordinary book.
I thought all of the essays were brilliant, but there were a few that particularly stood out for me: '"You Speak Well for a Black Girl": Black is who You Are' by Niellah Arboine, 'My Cousin Medyaï' by Kuchenga and 'The lesson of Dance School: The Dream that Wasn't a Dream' by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff. The illustrations in the book that accompany the essays are as beautiful as the writing... the drawings convey so much joy, and for me represent what the whole book is really about: celebrating POC, taking up as much space as possible, space that for so long has been reserved for a select few.
Reading these essays were such a rich experience, and it was a huge priviledge to read them. It made me reflect a lot on my life growing up, and the people I knew surrounding me, and how I had a totally different experience to maybe, some of the girls in my West London school. I had within me and surrounding me so much priviledge that I didn't even recognise, let alone appreciate. Thank you, writers of gal-dem, for this extraordinary book.
July 4, 2020
Although I'm not the target audience for these essays, i do believe everyone can find something valuable in them.
In every essay the topics of racism, body image, sexism and religion are tackled with finesse in an easy to read manner, that makes this book so accessible to anyone reading. I feel that I understand better some of the struggles people from other cultures and different skin tones go through in our white washed western society, and i think that the positive messages and sheer love for others in this book is absolutely inspiring to see.
This book teaches acceptance of others and yourself in a society that works against so many groups of people and I think everyone could use some of this positive affirmation in their lives.
This book is also a great intro to learning more about the more subtle racism in our society that we sometimes don't see when we ourselves don't experience it.
I think this is a book that i can wholeheartedly recommend to others - especially to individuals whole are teenagers themselves - as this is especially relevant to their experience and is easy to read.
In every essay the topics of racism, body image, sexism and religion are tackled with finesse in an easy to read manner, that makes this book so accessible to anyone reading. I feel that I understand better some of the struggles people from other cultures and different skin tones go through in our white washed western society, and i think that the positive messages and sheer love for others in this book is absolutely inspiring to see.
This book teaches acceptance of others and yourself in a society that works against so many groups of people and I think everyone could use some of this positive affirmation in their lives.
This book is also a great intro to learning more about the more subtle racism in our society that we sometimes don't see when we ourselves don't experience it.
I think this is a book that i can wholeheartedly recommend to others - especially to individuals whole are teenagers themselves - as this is especially relevant to their experience and is easy to read.
July 11, 2019
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
Actual rating: 3.5 Stars
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! gal-dem’s I Will Not Be Erased”: Our stories about growing up as people of colour is available at all good bookstores.
Before I begin with this review, which will probably place me at the risk of sounding insensitive and maybe even ignorant, I would like to apologize in advance in case I accidentally offend anyone. I read this book as a person of colour living in her multi-ethnic and multi-cultural homeland where racism, sexism, homophobia, political unrest and more are rampant (I’ve once been told by a non-person of colour that my country is “inhumane” because of this). This review is a result of reading from that perspective, and it is merely comprised of my opinions. Again, I apologize in advance should I accidentally offend anyone.
gal-dem’s “I Will Not Be Erased”: Our stories about growing up as people of colour is an anthology of essays by 14 young people of colour, all written like letters addressed to their younger selves. The intention of these amazing people sharing their stories is to have their voice heard and resonate with others who are similar in various aspects. The personal and honest style—these letter-like essays, should be prefect for this intention, yet I find that it has instead created a barrier between the writer and the reader. No matter how hard I tried, I was unable to step into their shoes, unable to momentarily slip into this glimpse of their life. This, in turn, made the anthology it less emotional and less relatable to me. What’s missing in these nonfiction pieces are what fictional pieces (and some other nonfiction pieces I’ve read) can achieve—the ability to place someone in someone else’s shoes no matter how different they are.
Furthermore, because of the style, there is more telling than showing, less confiding in a friend and more a serious mentor teaching their mentee a life lesson. Thus, there are times when reading gets boring. The topics touched in this anthology are all that I’m greatly interested in. However, because some parts aren’t as engaging as others, I find my attention wandering. It’s a bit like sitting in a class for a subject you love with all of your heart, but because the teacher’s monotonous voice creates this perception of them not being as involved or as passionate, that your own interest wanes.
Nevertheless, the 14 essays here holds comfort and reassurance. This anthology is powerful and diverse and (finally!) ‘inclusive’ enough. They are important and the voices here should be heard and echoed by as many as possible.
Actual rating: 3.5 Stars
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! gal-dem’s I Will Not Be Erased”: Our stories about growing up as people of colour is available at all good bookstores.
Before I begin with this review, which will probably place me at the risk of sounding insensitive and maybe even ignorant, I would like to apologize in advance in case I accidentally offend anyone. I read this book as a person of colour living in her multi-ethnic and multi-cultural homeland where racism, sexism, homophobia, political unrest and more are rampant (I’ve once been told by a non-person of colour that my country is “inhumane” because of this). This review is a result of reading from that perspective, and it is merely comprised of my opinions. Again, I apologize in advance should I accidentally offend anyone.
gal-dem’s “I Will Not Be Erased”: Our stories about growing up as people of colour is an anthology of essays by 14 young people of colour, all written like letters addressed to their younger selves. The intention of these amazing people sharing their stories is to have their voice heard and resonate with others who are similar in various aspects. The personal and honest style—these letter-like essays, should be prefect for this intention, yet I find that it has instead created a barrier between the writer and the reader. No matter how hard I tried, I was unable to step into their shoes, unable to momentarily slip into this glimpse of their life. This, in turn, made the anthology it less emotional and less relatable to me. What’s missing in these nonfiction pieces are what fictional pieces (and some other nonfiction pieces I’ve read) can achieve—the ability to place someone in someone else’s shoes no matter how different they are.
Furthermore, because of the style, there is more telling than showing, less confiding in a friend and more a serious mentor teaching their mentee a life lesson. Thus, there are times when reading gets boring. The topics touched in this anthology are all that I’m greatly interested in. However, because some parts aren’t as engaging as others, I find my attention wandering. It’s a bit like sitting in a class for a subject you love with all of your heart, but because the teacher’s monotonous voice creates this perception of them not being as involved or as passionate, that your own interest wanes.
Nevertheless, the 14 essays here holds comfort and reassurance. This anthology is powerful and diverse and (finally!) ‘inclusive’ enough. They are important and the voices here should be heard and echoed by as many as possible.
September 8, 2021
Anthologies can be difficult to rate but I had no problem expressing how much I enjoyed reading this non-fiction collection of essays. With a focus on the struggles and barriers faced during teenage years, while I am not the target audience of this collection as a white woman in her mid-twenties, I found this to be an optimistic, reassuring and engaging read that really has something important to offer every reader.
August 1, 2025
While it was directed at a younger audience, I still very much enjoyed the book and found it insightful. I love the narration and the authors talking to their younger selves. I very much liked the last essay as I resonated most with that one.
For me it was the perfect holiday read as it is easy to read but still gave me some new ideas and made me almost cry twice. I would def recommend reading this :)
For me it was the perfect holiday read as it is easy to read but still gave me some new ideas and made me almost cry twice. I would def recommend reading this :)
February 4, 2021
A really great teen-focussed anthology, with personal essays interspersed with old diary entries or poems, alongside advice for their past selves. Stand outs for me were Kuchenga’s essay on growing up trans, Layale’s piece on the boyfriend break up box and Sara Jafari’s essay on virginity.
January 9, 2022
This is brilliant. Devoured it in one sitting. Highly recommend!
September 30, 2025
What I wouldn't give to be able to have a conversation with my 15 year old self
January 3, 2020
Thank you to Walker Books YA for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I had heard about this book a while ago and then it was announced that two of the authors will be at YALC this year so I was already really interested in reading this book so when I was able to request it I couldn’t pass up the chance! And wow how much did I absolutely love this book!
This book is something I wish I had been able to read when I was a teenager. And I hope that lots of young people benefit from this book. This book showed me that how I felt was felt by others and that made me feel not so alone. It’s hard when you don’t quite fit in especially as a teen and I didn’t know how to express it but this book so wonderfully talks about so many things that I feel now and when I was younger. I know that others reading this will feel the same way.
It is full of experiences of people who we don’t normally get to see in public. I always see white women in books and media but their experiences are going to be very different from me, a Pakistani Muslim woman, so to be able to read stories written by Muslims and people of colour is important for so many of us. Everyone’s experience differs but coming from a similar culture means that even if it isn’t quite the same experience it is still very much relatable.
I felt like this book expressed parts of me and my life that not everyone will understand. From facing racism and discrimination because of the colour of my skin or the scarf on my head. To cultural and religious differences from what is considered “cultural norm”. One of the essays that really hit me hard was Sara Jafari’s essay, My Virginity and my Choice: Dating as a British Muslim. Although I hadn’t dated my now husband, a lot of what she said really resonated with me. I really loved how she spoke about a really sensitive topic, especially in the Muslim community and I wish this was discussed more so it wouldn’t be so taboo.
One of the things that she said had me laughing my head off:
“Edward Cullen is every Muslim girl’s fantasy: he’s hot, forbidden and wants to wait until marriage to have sex”
I really loved how they used diary entries, journals, messages and more from their teen years to write a letter to their younger selves. It made these essays honest, raw and heartfelt. And by speaking to their younger selves they also spoke directly to all the young people out there who feel like no one really understands what they are growing through. I also loved that they included artwork throughout the book with quotes, it was such a lovely touch.
Reading this book will help so many people see themselves but also those who have never had to experience these things can get a glimpse of what it is like to grow up and not have white skin or be straight. How having more than one culture can mean you do and see things differently and how that can make us seem like we don’t belong.
This book is empowering , inspiring and so relatable. I finally felt seen and heard by reading these essays. I highly recommend everyone to read this and I hope that others find it as beneficial as I did.
I had heard about this book a while ago and then it was announced that two of the authors will be at YALC this year so I was already really interested in reading this book so when I was able to request it I couldn’t pass up the chance! And wow how much did I absolutely love this book!
This book is something I wish I had been able to read when I was a teenager. And I hope that lots of young people benefit from this book. This book showed me that how I felt was felt by others and that made me feel not so alone. It’s hard when you don’t quite fit in especially as a teen and I didn’t know how to express it but this book so wonderfully talks about so many things that I feel now and when I was younger. I know that others reading this will feel the same way.
It is full of experiences of people who we don’t normally get to see in public. I always see white women in books and media but their experiences are going to be very different from me, a Pakistani Muslim woman, so to be able to read stories written by Muslims and people of colour is important for so many of us. Everyone’s experience differs but coming from a similar culture means that even if it isn’t quite the same experience it is still very much relatable.
I felt like this book expressed parts of me and my life that not everyone will understand. From facing racism and discrimination because of the colour of my skin or the scarf on my head. To cultural and religious differences from what is considered “cultural norm”. One of the essays that really hit me hard was Sara Jafari’s essay, My Virginity and my Choice: Dating as a British Muslim. Although I hadn’t dated my now husband, a lot of what she said really resonated with me. I really loved how she spoke about a really sensitive topic, especially in the Muslim community and I wish this was discussed more so it wouldn’t be so taboo.
One of the things that she said had me laughing my head off:
“Edward Cullen is every Muslim girl’s fantasy: he’s hot, forbidden and wants to wait until marriage to have sex”
I really loved how they used diary entries, journals, messages and more from their teen years to write a letter to their younger selves. It made these essays honest, raw and heartfelt. And by speaking to their younger selves they also spoke directly to all the young people out there who feel like no one really understands what they are growing through. I also loved that they included artwork throughout the book with quotes, it was such a lovely touch.
Reading this book will help so many people see themselves but also those who have never had to experience these things can get a glimpse of what it is like to grow up and not have white skin or be straight. How having more than one culture can mean you do and see things differently and how that can make us seem like we don’t belong.
This book is empowering , inspiring and so relatable. I finally felt seen and heard by reading these essays. I highly recommend everyone to read this and I hope that others find it as beneficial as I did.
December 26, 2019
Honest, beautiful, necessary essays from women and non-binary people of colour, 'I Will Not Be Erased' contains 14 contributions from writers using a childhood memory or diary entry as a prompt.
The essays often take the form of a letter to their younger selves and this structure made them so much more poignant. The stories all come from people who have been on a journey of acceptance. At 33, I still struggle to accept aspects of myself and my heritage. Having this book as a teenager would have been invaluable.
The essays cover topics including assimilation, trying to aspire to impossible beauty standards and striving to be cool - all things I very much related to. And even as an adult these stories helped me understand that it's OK to be me.
The book is a very quick read and is wonderfully illustrated by Jess Nash. I recommend it to everyone but especially if you are a teenager of colour struggling to find your place in the world, I hope this book will help you feel more seen and better understood.
The essays often take the form of a letter to their younger selves and this structure made them so much more poignant. The stories all come from people who have been on a journey of acceptance. At 33, I still struggle to accept aspects of myself and my heritage. Having this book as a teenager would have been invaluable.
The essays cover topics including assimilation, trying to aspire to impossible beauty standards and striving to be cool - all things I very much related to. And even as an adult these stories helped me understand that it's OK to be me.
The book is a very quick read and is wonderfully illustrated by Jess Nash. I recommend it to everyone but especially if you are a teenager of colour struggling to find your place in the world, I hope this book will help you feel more seen and better understood.
October 22, 2020
I loved reading these stories! All the stories are from people of colour on growing up! The illustrations are freaking beautiful! I honestly recommend grabbing this one!
I hope gal-dem do more books as I know for sure I will pick them up!
I hope gal-dem do more books as I know for sure I will pick them up!
June 20, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to all teens regardless of their backgrounds or individual circumstances. “I Will Not Be Erased” is a powerful set of stories which will connect with anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t fit in for what ever reason. Each story is inspired from a diary entry or something else that the author has written when they were a teenager and the story talks about their experiences back then and how their life now isn’t the same or as bleak as they had thought in the past.
Every short tale, which is no more than a few pages, features a different author and all stories are written by women or non-binary people of colour. The target for this book is obviously other teens who are themselves non-white, but I don’t think this book should be restricted to them alone as there are many teens of any colour who, for whatever reason, feel like they don’t fit in. The stories cover different aspects of teenage life, in one story for example the author focuses on her worries about dating someone and getting intimate while coming from a strict religious background that wouldn’t allow it, another deals with the reality of what can go wrong when taking drugs, another is about a woman who didn’t fit in at school with what was stereotypically ‘black’ in society, and there are plenty more stories which deal with bullying, repationships and sexuality, etc.
I found myself compelled to read this book all in one sitting, it’s not that long, but the stories are all so powerful and I know this is a book that would have inspired me when I was younger. Although I don’t come from the non-white background that the authors in this book do, I’ve faced many of the prejudices, bullying and issues that they have growing up as a marganalised and white minority ethnic in Britain. Reading the powerful messages that these stories gave, showing how life as a teen can change dramatically when you are an adult and the thoughts and feelings you have when you feel so down and alone are not how you feel forever, these messages felt like something I really needed to read myself growing up and I know that many teens will see this book as an inspiration for themselves.
Some of the stories are written as just stories to us the readers (the author telling us what happened when they were younger), others are letters written to their younger selves, these I particularly like and can see would be a good exercise for a lot of people to do to see how far they have come. Every story has quotes surrounding it of some of the inspirational words used in the tales, and there is an illustration that accompanies every story in the book.
These stories are very much aimed at teenagers, especially those who don’t feel they fit in with societies norms. There are some darker moments though, talking about drug taking (which is never actually condemned but warned about the dangers instead), relationships and discussing having sex (though nothing descriptive about that) which some parents might feel uncomfortable with their kids reading, but overall this book really does make you feel better for reading it and can open up the eyes of people who may not understand the prejudices and challenges that many teens still face today.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
Every short tale, which is no more than a few pages, features a different author and all stories are written by women or non-binary people of colour. The target for this book is obviously other teens who are themselves non-white, but I don’t think this book should be restricted to them alone as there are many teens of any colour who, for whatever reason, feel like they don’t fit in. The stories cover different aspects of teenage life, in one story for example the author focuses on her worries about dating someone and getting intimate while coming from a strict religious background that wouldn’t allow it, another deals with the reality of what can go wrong when taking drugs, another is about a woman who didn’t fit in at school with what was stereotypically ‘black’ in society, and there are plenty more stories which deal with bullying, repationships and sexuality, etc.
I found myself compelled to read this book all in one sitting, it’s not that long, but the stories are all so powerful and I know this is a book that would have inspired me when I was younger. Although I don’t come from the non-white background that the authors in this book do, I’ve faced many of the prejudices, bullying and issues that they have growing up as a marganalised and white minority ethnic in Britain. Reading the powerful messages that these stories gave, showing how life as a teen can change dramatically when you are an adult and the thoughts and feelings you have when you feel so down and alone are not how you feel forever, these messages felt like something I really needed to read myself growing up and I know that many teens will see this book as an inspiration for themselves.
Some of the stories are written as just stories to us the readers (the author telling us what happened when they were younger), others are letters written to their younger selves, these I particularly like and can see would be a good exercise for a lot of people to do to see how far they have come. Every story has quotes surrounding it of some of the inspirational words used in the tales, and there is an illustration that accompanies every story in the book.
These stories are very much aimed at teenagers, especially those who don’t feel they fit in with societies norms. There are some darker moments though, talking about drug taking (which is never actually condemned but warned about the dangers instead), relationships and discussing having sex (though nothing descriptive about that) which some parents might feel uncomfortable with their kids reading, but overall this book really does make you feel better for reading it and can open up the eyes of people who may not understand the prejudices and challenges that many teens still face today.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
August 29, 2023
I expected something slightly different from this book, but that's because I didn't look through it properly before buying (it was an impulse purchase at the very beginning of my "oh damn there are books about the discrimination I'm facing??" phase and it's been on my TBR pile for a while now).
What I had expected were essays about people's everyday experiences with racism throughout their lives and how it impacts them today.
What it is is mostly letters from women of colour and non-binary people of colour to their younger selves, mainly between 13 and 16, telling them to stay strong and that they're not as repulsive as society makes them feel.
That's not to say it's a bad book, I just didn't profit from it at this time in my life. I would definitely give this to my future child, as I believe it can be incredibly powerful and uplifting if read at a young age, but for me personally, that glimmer of hope came a little too late. The damage of having zero representation or support growing up has already been done.
One essay that particularly resonated with me was Layale's "My Boyfriend Box: The Art of Breaking Up" where the author writes about how not to lose yourself in a relationship, especially as a woman of colour who has to navigate the power dynamics and potentially problematic situations and conversations with a white man.
When Leah Cowan mentioned the moment she realised that politics isn't some boring abstract thing but directly concerns us as marginalised people, I could relate to that.
I also liked Candace Lee Camacho's text "Find Your Superpower: You're the One and Only You", where she addresses white beauty standards and growing up with "unusual" body hair or afro curls in an environment of straight-haired blondes, and how this can lead to internalised racism and rejection of anything associated with your race.
Liv Little's text about sex education, pleasure, consent, and queer education is very important as well, just like Kuba Shand-Baptiste's essay about fatphobia, the journey to self love, and the danger of "well-meaning relatives".
On a literary level, it's not super eloquent or fancy because, from the way I understand it, it's ordinary people's submissions to an online magazine turned into a book.
But the idea of looking back at old diaries and notes from your teenage years to reflect on what kind of person you were back then, and confronting the pain you felt at the hands of a white supremacist society seemed cathartic and well-executed. It's basically also a love letter to the act of writing itself, as a coping mechanism to express difficult emotions, as a way of keeping memories, and even as a kind of time travelling tool. As Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff - the best writer in this anthology in my opinion - puts it,
"One of the reasons why I kept a diary for so many years was so I didn't forget what it felt like to be a young person. I never wanted to feel derision for the emotions my younger self went through. My diary held my hand into the future: a literal book of words that shaped me and that I had shaped in turn."
What I had expected were essays about people's everyday experiences with racism throughout their lives and how it impacts them today.
What it is is mostly letters from women of colour and non-binary people of colour to their younger selves, mainly between 13 and 16, telling them to stay strong and that they're not as repulsive as society makes them feel.
That's not to say it's a bad book, I just didn't profit from it at this time in my life. I would definitely give this to my future child, as I believe it can be incredibly powerful and uplifting if read at a young age, but for me personally, that glimmer of hope came a little too late. The damage of having zero representation or support growing up has already been done.
One essay that particularly resonated with me was Layale's "My Boyfriend Box: The Art of Breaking Up" where the author writes about how not to lose yourself in a relationship, especially as a woman of colour who has to navigate the power dynamics and potentially problematic situations and conversations with a white man.
When Leah Cowan mentioned the moment she realised that politics isn't some boring abstract thing but directly concerns us as marginalised people, I could relate to that.
I also liked Candace Lee Camacho's text "Find Your Superpower: You're the One and Only You", where she addresses white beauty standards and growing up with "unusual" body hair or afro curls in an environment of straight-haired blondes, and how this can lead to internalised racism and rejection of anything associated with your race.
Liv Little's text about sex education, pleasure, consent, and queer education is very important as well, just like Kuba Shand-Baptiste's essay about fatphobia, the journey to self love, and the danger of "well-meaning relatives".
On a literary level, it's not super eloquent or fancy because, from the way I understand it, it's ordinary people's submissions to an online magazine turned into a book.
But the idea of looking back at old diaries and notes from your teenage years to reflect on what kind of person you were back then, and confronting the pain you felt at the hands of a white supremacist society seemed cathartic and well-executed. It's basically also a love letter to the act of writing itself, as a coping mechanism to express difficult emotions, as a way of keeping memories, and even as a kind of time travelling tool. As Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff - the best writer in this anthology in my opinion - puts it,
"One of the reasons why I kept a diary for so many years was so I didn't forget what it felt like to be a young person. I never wanted to feel derision for the emotions my younger self went through. My diary held my hand into the future: a literal book of words that shaped me and that I had shaped in turn."
July 26, 2023
I will not be erased is a compelling collection of 14 essays from different women and non-binary authors coming from all sorts of backgrounds. Primarily, it focuses on growing up as a person of color and follows the format of letters to the authors younger self. Gal-dem is a group of wonderfully creative bright individuals, who want to share their stories with the world and show other teenagers that they are not alone, there are others like them. They are ready to tell the world what it is like to grow up different and face a wide array of challenges, society being a major one of them. But they are also here to share declarations of self-love and acceptance, to explain that these challenges and the way other people think of them do not define that particular individual so rather than trying to eliminate what makes them unalike the supposed ‘norm’, they should embrace their vibrant culture. After all, there is no norm, everyone is different in their own ways and these differences should be celebrated.
The essays talk of many topics like drugs, body image, virginity, sex, gender, strict parents, race and love. Whilst I may not be the target audience here, it makes me happy to know that a collection like this exists and I feel like this is such an important read.
Some of these essays I found more impactful and some felt repetitive, however I can not help but think that if I came across a book like this when I was younger, it would have made a much larger impression on me. I do think these essays are aimed at a younger audience, but they were still a pleasure to read and I can not hope enough that gal-dem releases many more collections in the future showing others that it’s okay and they are not alone.
The essays talk of many topics like drugs, body image, virginity, sex, gender, strict parents, race and love. Whilst I may not be the target audience here, it makes me happy to know that a collection like this exists and I feel like this is such an important read.
Some of these essays I found more impactful and some felt repetitive, however I can not help but think that if I came across a book like this when I was younger, it would have made a much larger impression on me. I do think these essays are aimed at a younger audience, but they were still a pleasure to read and I can not hope enough that gal-dem releases many more collections in the future showing others that it’s okay and they are not alone.
October 29, 2023
i bought this book a long time ago and read the first story in it and felt so moved by it that I put the book and never look back at it
today in front of the events happening in Palestine and the unraveling of silent genocides in Congo and Sudan, it was the perfect time to pick it up and fully read it
I will not be erased is a collection of stories by queer and non queer BIPOC telling their story and highlighting a personal experience by giving us their lessons learned as they grew up
this book had different themes which are around religion, sexuality, ethnicity and racism. through different authors you get to learn about what it means to be a person of color that is part of a marginalised community that has been segregated by white supremacy and white culture
as a North African oldest child, first generation of immigrants and Muslim, I got to see struggles I lived and still live through people within my own community but also learn the struggles of others queer and non queer POCs
I highly recommend reading this book, no matter what is your background, bc by learning stories you get to open your own horizons and treat the world around you in a different more respectful way
you might also see some of your scars in this book, or the trauma people around you live. it’s a great book about humanity
as the title says, we will not be erased and we will shine in our differences, from our culture, our intelligence and our beauty. no matter what western societies says, by existing we are changing this world and we should never stop showing ourselves. we matter just like any other human.
rating: 5⭐️
today in front of the events happening in Palestine and the unraveling of silent genocides in Congo and Sudan, it was the perfect time to pick it up and fully read it
I will not be erased is a collection of stories by queer and non queer BIPOC telling their story and highlighting a personal experience by giving us their lessons learned as they grew up
this book had different themes which are around religion, sexuality, ethnicity and racism. through different authors you get to learn about what it means to be a person of color that is part of a marginalised community that has been segregated by white supremacy and white culture
as a North African oldest child, first generation of immigrants and Muslim, I got to see struggles I lived and still live through people within my own community but also learn the struggles of others queer and non queer POCs
I highly recommend reading this book, no matter what is your background, bc by learning stories you get to open your own horizons and treat the world around you in a different more respectful way
you might also see some of your scars in this book, or the trauma people around you live. it’s a great book about humanity
as the title says, we will not be erased and we will shine in our differences, from our culture, our intelligence and our beauty. no matter what western societies says, by existing we are changing this world and we should never stop showing ourselves. we matter just like any other human.
rating: 5⭐️
April 21, 2020
A collection of essays written by Black and Brown (predominantly British) women. The essays are written as tales of life experiences and reflections on adolescence. Many of the essays feature diary essays from the writers’ teen years; many humorous, entertaining and even tear-jerkers.
I loved this book for the versatility of people, their upbringings and the life experiences represented - family dynamics, racial discrimination, future life ambitions, self-love and exploration of identity (cultural, sexual orientation, religion, internal battles with physical appearance).
Although each essay is written from a subjective and experiential point of view, the writing is relational for many Black and Brown women who have lived with the micro-aggressions and ‘othering’ that are often encountered in societies where they are deemed minorities. Each writer has the ability to draw in the reader’s attention, bringing them to a place of empathy in exchange for the marginalisation that the writers have been subjected to.
The illustrations by Jess Nash also brought the book and the writers to life. I loved the uniqueness, quirks and humour of the illustrations. It’s not often that topics/books such as these include visual aids, so the illustrations were a beautiful addition to each essay.
I loved this book for the versatility of people, their upbringings and the life experiences represented - family dynamics, racial discrimination, future life ambitions, self-love and exploration of identity (cultural, sexual orientation, religion, internal battles with physical appearance).
Although each essay is written from a subjective and experiential point of view, the writing is relational for many Black and Brown women who have lived with the micro-aggressions and ‘othering’ that are often encountered in societies where they are deemed minorities. Each writer has the ability to draw in the reader’s attention, bringing them to a place of empathy in exchange for the marginalisation that the writers have been subjected to.
The illustrations by Jess Nash also brought the book and the writers to life. I loved the uniqueness, quirks and humour of the illustrations. It’s not often that topics/books such as these include visual aids, so the illustrations were a beautiful addition to each essay.
January 21, 2021
"If I were you, I’d shake your tummy, stomach, gut, or whatever you’re insecure about, with glorious abandon, and embrace that joyful sensation."
Touching, raw, honest, and lovingly self-effacing. "I Will Not Be Erased" is the guide for any young woman of colour who is navigating the murky waters of existing in spaces that seek to push us into ourselves. While I wish I had been able to pick this up when I was 14, I'm in awe that there are books like this today that celebrate what it is to be brown, to be uncomfortable, to be beautiful, to be learning to love oneself.
The 'diary entries' that make up "I Will Not Be Erased" brim with a gentle, sweet wisdom. From dealing with difficult first infatuations (and the necessary break-ups), to honouring my body in all of its fullness and loveliness, to learning from the expectations of my uprooted parents, the process of loving oneself is ongoing and difficult. This collection puts into kind words all of the feelings I have had for over 10 years of constant (often unwilling) change.
Words like this are made to be held close to an always open heart, and I - much like the souls in this collection - am reconciling myself with my ability to hold myself accountable, transform for the better, and embrace the many iterations of womanhood within myself.
Touching, raw, honest, and lovingly self-effacing. "I Will Not Be Erased" is the guide for any young woman of colour who is navigating the murky waters of existing in spaces that seek to push us into ourselves. While I wish I had been able to pick this up when I was 14, I'm in awe that there are books like this today that celebrate what it is to be brown, to be uncomfortable, to be beautiful, to be learning to love oneself.
The 'diary entries' that make up "I Will Not Be Erased" brim with a gentle, sweet wisdom. From dealing with difficult first infatuations (and the necessary break-ups), to honouring my body in all of its fullness and loveliness, to learning from the expectations of my uprooted parents, the process of loving oneself is ongoing and difficult. This collection puts into kind words all of the feelings I have had for over 10 years of constant (often unwilling) change.
Words like this are made to be held close to an always open heart, and I - much like the souls in this collection - am reconciling myself with my ability to hold myself accountable, transform for the better, and embrace the many iterations of womanhood within myself.
December 12, 2023
Okay, to be fair this essay collection is not written for me. After reading it I am now sure that this collection is written for young teenagers, young people who are in need of an old sister. It is not an analytical retrospective on growing up as a POC, with interesting new insights and cultural critique. Instead it reads like a list of shoulds: you should be kind to your mother, you should speak up for yourself, you should be careful when you drugs, you shouldn’t conform to peer pressure etc. And of course if you’re older you know all of these things from experience and if you’re younger these essays don’t really give a convincing argument on why you should do these things. The writing definitely speaks to a younger audience.
I do appreciate that these are different peoples experiences/lives and I like hearing other peoples experiences. But all the essays are put through this same filter which makes everything clean and digestible, a moral story. It seems inauthentic and boring to me. Idk maybe I’m just hater. Points for cohesion tho!!!
My favourite essay was “My virginity and my choice: dating as a British Muslim” by Sara Jafari. But maybe it’s because I’ve always needed some big sister advice when it comes reconciling religion and sex. I’ve finally got a little bit of that here.
I do appreciate that these are different peoples experiences/lives and I like hearing other peoples experiences. But all the essays are put through this same filter which makes everything clean and digestible, a moral story. It seems inauthentic and boring to me. Idk maybe I’m just hater. Points for cohesion tho!!!
My favourite essay was “My virginity and my choice: dating as a British Muslim” by Sara Jafari. But maybe it’s because I’ve always needed some big sister advice when it comes reconciling religion and sex. I’ve finally got a little bit of that here.
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