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50books_poc2009-05-14 03:32 pm
afterannabel.livejournal.com) wrote in 50books_poc2009-05-14 03:32 pm
Entry tags:
two books
1) The Flying Camel: Essays on Identity by Women of North African and Middle Eastern Jewish Heritage by Loolwa Khazzoom (Editor)
Before reading this I knew very little about Jews who did not identify as Ashkenazi, Sephardic and Mizrahi, and had only recently been made aware of their existence. It was really illuminating to read the stories of women who, according to many people, aren't "real" Jews because of the color of their skin, where they were born, and/or where their parents were born. One Amazon reviewer said that it was a bunch of women complaining about discrimination but, while accounts of discrimination are certainly part of many of their stories, I think this book is more about the personal search for community and identity. Trying to find a cultural understanding of Jewishness that more than makes room for people from India, Egypt, Libya, etc. but goes so far as to make them feel not marginalized.
2) For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange
I'm embarrassed I didn't pick this up years ago. The format was not what I was expecting, I didn't anticipate stage directions. Overall I found it really powerful. I feel like anything more I could say would be taking away from it somehow, or not doing it justice.
Before reading this I knew very little about Jews who did not identify as Ashkenazi, Sephardic and Mizrahi, and had only recently been made aware of their existence. It was really illuminating to read the stories of women who, according to many people, aren't "real" Jews because of the color of their skin, where they were born, and/or where their parents were born. One Amazon reviewer said that it was a bunch of women complaining about discrimination but, while accounts of discrimination are certainly part of many of their stories, I think this book is more about the personal search for community and identity. Trying to find a cultural understanding of Jewishness that more than makes room for people from India, Egypt, Libya, etc. but goes so far as to make them feel not marginalized.
2) For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf by Ntozake Shange
I'm embarrassed I didn't pick this up years ago. The format was not what I was expecting, I didn't anticipate stage directions. Overall I found it really powerful. I feel like anything more I could say would be taking away from it somehow, or not doing it justice.