Notable Reads of 2022
Black Feminist Literature, Memoir, and Culture Analysis
Note: The literature mentioned in this post discusses sensitive topics like domestic violence, alcoholism, AIDS, and death.
In 2022, I dedicated my year to exploring a variety of important topics such as love, abuse, queerness, alcoholism, and death through literature. After reflecting on my reads for the year, I noticed that all the titles had a common thread: authenticity. This was the driving force behind all the stories that I kept coming back to, the ones that I felt the need to talk about and share with others. I found myself unable to let go of the most meaningful stories in my journey of discovering more about life, myself, and the world around me.
Unprotected by Billy Porter (audiobook) -
Usually, I prefer to read with pen in hand, but I couldn’t resist listening to Unprotected by Billy Porter, narrated by Billy Porter. His overall pageantry turns the memoir into a vivacious monologue. The energy of the narration (…and singing) can overwhelm the reader. But Porter has a talent for quickly pulling you back in by cutting back to sobering memories of lifelong bullying for his feminine mannerisms, in-home abuse by his stepfather, and losing loved ones to the AIDS epidemic.
While the memoir is moving and highlights the real-life struggles of being a Black queer person in “The Industry”, the author has previously faced critique from the queer community. Even the memoir highlights some questionable opinions. But in the end, it’s a reminder of the very real function of queer elders who we may not always agree with. Their importance is just being here, surviving, and thriving- reminding us that there is space for people like us in the future.
His words were kind, but they were no comfort. I knew no argument I could summon could possibly change his verdict, but I stood there for another moment anyway, tossing ideas about in my mind for some way to alter this disastrous outcome. It couldn't all be over just like this, could it? After I'd come all this way? My heart felt like a trapped bird beating its clipped wings inside the cage of my chest, and I could feel the hot tears building behind my eyes. Somehow I managed to hold it together as I took my leave of the audition room.
But I wept all the way home.
Dirt: Nowhere or New York by Drew Austin
An interesting read from one of the more notable Substack newsletters from 2022, this article specifically discusses the meme-ification and "metagentrification" of “Dimes Square” in New York City. A “micro-neighborhood” between Chinatown and the Lower East Side, “Dimes Square” developed through the ironic detachment of social media users who descended into the area. “Influencers” were quickly followed by corporations and real estate investors who then validated the metaphorical concept of “Dimes Square.” The influx of investors has solidified this place in our shared physical reality. As the zillenial creation continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how this will shape the future of the neighborhood.
New Gentrification — metagentrification — is post-millennial, illegible, and hyper-self-aware (“Not me eating breakfast at Dimes!”). Micro-neighborhoods and scenes rapidly emerge, meme-ified from the start, encouraging an incessant exegesis among their ever-expanding horde of participants, many of whom seem to simultaneously exist within those worlds and at an ironic distance from them. The most sophisticated providers of detached commentary, and the most viral memes, become symbolic pillars of the neighborhood itself. The entire construct feels like a Russian doll of such knowingness, the center of which, if you ever reach it, may or may not turn out to be anything at all.
All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
For years, I avoided confronting the genius of bell hooks because I didn’t want to confront myself. This book is not an easy read, but it’s hooks’ thoughtful and nuanced exploration into analyzing love’s function that keeps me coming back.
One of the more interesting topics that hooks explore is the necessity of establishing a “love ethic”–a concept that she believes is essential in order to foster healthy relationships between individuals, communities, and nations. Love, she argues, is the most powerful force for change and transformation, and can bring about an appreciation of diversity and respect for different cultures. Hooks also believes in love as a practice with an emphasis on compassion, self-love, and mutual respect. Ultimately, she argues that the establishment of a "love ethic" is essential for the betterment of society and that its implementation is essential for creating a more just and equitable world. What are “love”, “peace”, and “solidarity” if we cannot collectively agree on the definitions?
When love is present, the desire to dominate and exercise power cannot rule the day. All the great social movements for freedom and justice in our society have promoted a love ethic. Concern for the collective good of our nation, city, or neighbor rooted in the values of love makes us all seek to nurture and protect that good. If we created all public policy in the spirit of love, we would not have to worry about unemployment, homelessness, schools failing to teach children, or addiction.