You can use your St. Louis County Library card to borrow titles from these partner libraries:
1 of 1 copy available
In this "inspiring, determined work of personal narrative and cultural criticism" (Saeed Jones, author of How We Fight for Our Lives), essayist and award-winning voice actor Tajja Isen explores the absurdity of living in a world that has grown fluent in the language of social justice but doesn't always follow through.
These nine daring essays explore the sometimes troubling and often awkward nature of that discord. Some of My Best Friends takes on subjects including the cartoon industry's pivot away from colorblind casting, the pursuit of diverse representation in the literary world, the law's refusal to see inequality, and the cozy fictions of nationalism. Throughout, Isen "shows a bracing willingness to tackle sensitive issues that others often sweep under a rug" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review).
In the spirit of Zadie Smith, Cathy Park Hong, and Jia Tolentino, Isen interlaces cultural criticism with her lived experience to explore the gaps between what we say and what we do, what we do and what we value, what we value and what we demand.
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Release date
April 19, 2022 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781797143446
- File size: 215810 KB
- Duration: 07:29:36
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
September 1, 2022
Writer, editor, and award-winning voice actor Isen's compelling debut essay collection touches on a wide range of topics including race, work, school, feminism, and life. Some of the topics are dense, but Isen has an ability to cut through the chaff and make her case. If we acknowledge structural racism, why are we having such a hard time resolving it, and can we stop assuming every marginalized person is an expert on their collective group trauma? She asks these questions in her own voice and is the perfect narrator of her ideas. In "Diversity Hire" you hear the sarcasm as Isen describes the diversity hire on a popular comedy TV show, meant as a joke, but she finds it all too real. The diversity hire is required to weigh in on all things related to inclusivity; after all, they were hired to prove the organization is inclusive. Isen asks how we can move beyond the lip service and work on action. VERDICT A great addition to any collection where thought-provoking essays are popular.--Christa Van Herreweghe
Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
-
February 28, 2022
Catapult editor-in-chief Isen scrutinizes society’s attempts to bandage over such issues as race and gender inequality in her powerful debut. In “Hearing Voices,” she recounts her experience as a voice actor and takes a look at animation’s “authenticity boom” as white voice actors cease to play characters of color, though she remains skeptical of industry claims that “we must strive for perfect alignment between the body of the voice actor and that of the character.” In the title essay, she probes the tensions between the marginalization of white women and the protection of their racial privilege, and examines the ways people navigate these tensions, such as by “claiming softness and vulnerability as a form of power,” while simultaneously being able to access power by “disavowing softness altogether.” Meanwhile, in “Dead or Canadian,” the author puncures the myth that “Canada does not have a racism problem,” and “Do You Read Me” is a damning look at the publishing industry’s attempts to diversify. Isen’s voice is both wry and sensitive as she fearlessly lays out the limits of talk in solving inequality; fans of sharp cultural criticism, take note. Agent: Rayhané Sanders, Massie & McQuilkin Literary. (Apr.)Correction: An earlier version of this review incorrectly framed the author's perspective in the essay "Hearing Voices."
-