Status Updates From The Deep

Did I read during a work meeting bc this had me locked in? Yes. Absolutely. And I’d do it again.

—How to maintain independence while still supporting & participating in community. How to grieve, remember, & process while still moving on into a new future. How love can be free when not restricted by oppressive societal norms/rules. & sm more!

Such a short book held so many wonderful things in it! Multiple themes & concepts were explored well, & I don’t think anything overstayed its welcome. I loved Yetu x Oori ofc. The parallels between our world & the wajinru’s were done well, like I’ve mentioned. How to balance the overwhelming beauty & horror of history with our hope for the future as well as our individual sense of self.—

—coming from THEM & the beauty/love/etc they have for their community & the nature around them.

I love the sentiment of multiple truths existing simultaneously! More than one concept can coexist & each have truth to them. I also love the freeness of love, queerness, & gender expression within the wajinru 🫶🏻 so beautiful to see. In general, but also bc ik that in many African cultures, queer, trans, & intersex identities weren’t ostracized. I love the notes of their religion, devotion, & faith—

—historical events, & persevering into a better future & maintaining your own identity amidst all that (while still participating in community)

—such as the wlw with the first queen/historian & the blind/deaf pup they encountered. They reacted with love & a desire to connect, rather than outcast. Although, the philosophy of making everyone forget their people’s history is a point of contention, & I’m sure will be explored further into the story. This ofc parallels real life; the balance between honoring our ancestors, remembering horrific—

This book is mystical; not overly complicated with the world building as it’s a short book, but still detailed & intriguing enough to tell a coherent & compelling story so far. The overall concept of the wajinru (sp? don’t have book in front of me) is a beautiful yet tragic ode to real history as well. I also love the portrayals of community & compassion, as well as the support & normalization of differences—