tylisa 06/09/2021
"— I don’t want to pretend to be anyone, not any more."
"— So who is The Black Flamingo?"
"— He is me, who I have been, who I am, who I hope to become. Someone fabulous, wild and strong. With or without a costume on."
this is was an extremely cute book! very inspiring and sweet. the narrator has a sweet British accent that matches so perfect with Michael, his intonation and the way he incorporates the character. I was able to perfectly imagine that Mike have this voice!
the only reason why I’m taking one star is because I didn't like how abrupt the chapters were at its end, sometimes something impactful occurred and the chapter ended and it was not possible to see the effects of what had occurred, rarely came back a discussion of what we saw.
BUT I love Michael story, I really wants to be friends of this kind, cute and amazing person.
I love how he grows, and became so confident, embrace his race/ethnicity, and stand for himself, show who he really was.
I really enjoy the discussion about race, about being mixed does not mean that you are incomplete or half of something. you are full. also, like how it is shows that's even if you love someone, if that person can accepted/respect who you are, you must let her go.
Michael makes mistakes and learns from its, and that was an amazing journal of a kid to a man, learning who he is and loving who he is discovering.
*STRONGLYING RECOMENDED*
"People are cruel, Michael. Kids are cruel. Adults are cruel. It’s just a part of life."
"There’s always something. No matter how hard you work. No matter how well you do. How successful or respectable. There’s always something that will remind you, you shouldn’t get too comfortable. I always thought education and money was going to earn me respect, but a successful black man is a threat. Pulling me over for driving a nice car. [...] but this is what it’s like to be black in this country or anywhere in the world. They interrupt our joy. Our history. Our progress. They know they can’t stop us unless they kill us, but they can’t kill us all, so you’re living your life and suddenly interrupted by white fear or suspicion. They fear sharing anything. Our success is a threat."
"You both need to understand the black woman, black man, black trans person is always last to be thought of as attractive in this white supremacist society. We are all – black and white alike – shown a beauty standard of lightskin and “good hair”, maybe big lips, maybe a big bum, but hardly ever on someone with darker skin. When a black person says they’re only into white people that’s internalised racism. When a white person says they’re only into black people that’s fetishisation, which is also a form of racism. If their skin or racialised features matter more to you than the person within, that’s racism. I can’t be your friend without calling this out. Your ignorance may be innocent but the racism is real."
"I call myself black.
I call myself queer.
I call myself beautiful.
I call myself eternal.
I call myself iconic.
I call myself futuristic."