The rest of this book title is “Reckonings with the Pop Culture That Shapes Me” and, well, pop culture is pretty much the backbone of my entire personality so I was ready for this one. Across each essay, Aisha Harris takes a look at those moments throughout her childhood that impacted how she saw herself and how others perceived her. There’s the time she had to take in the Scary Spice role in her friend group due to race, despite being an obvious Ginger. Or how she recognizes Disney’s need to animate generational trauma because the scariest villain is no longer a wicked witch.
While these are all essays detailing deeply personal and nuanced experiences of race and identity, Harris brings us in – includes us – with her unique writing style and stellar pop culture references. Essays often begin with interviews and imagined inner monologues. Even when the reader can’t relate personally, framing them within the films and music that impacted our childhoods grabs our attention. We’re simple creatures; sometimes a Family Matters callback is all we need to make us understand something. Also, I love that the end of the last essay really brought everything full circle with Chance The Rapper and The Lion King. A true arc.
4 out of 5 stars.
Pair with: Strawberry limoncello spritz
Peaches to Apples 