Kierra Hill’s Reviews > All Boys Aren’t Blue > Status Update

This was quite a hard chapter to get through. I almost cried, but I held through. The message towards the end of the chapter was beautiful.

Damn. This chapter is getting really unnerving. This is a real experience, describing a family member taking advantage of them. It's making my skin crawl, but that's the point. I and others who are reading this as adults know how disturbing this is, but poor George is a young boy. He has a feeling that what's happening to him is not ok. However, his abuser uses George's lack of experience to his own gratification.

"Symbolism is a threat to actual change - it's a chance for those in power to say, "Look how far you have come." rather than admitting, "Look how long we've stopped you from getting here.""

Page 74 "Homophobia denies queer people happiness. I imagine there are a lot of queer people who would love to play sports or do traditionally 'masculine' activities, but they hold themselves back based on the fear of interacting with people they can't trust. People who have made it very clear that queer people unwelcomed despite the fact they have talent."

This chapter was beautiful! It makes me realize that every experience in our life can lead one to change themselves. and how subconsciously we may react to the worst moments of our lives. He held his smile back for so long and finally gave out a true smile upon the welcoming presence of his mother was the sweetest thing.
P.S. Who holds a five year old boy and kicks him in the mouth, knocking his tooth out?! Evil!