Justice for Andile Mchunu: https://www.change.org/p/bheki-cele-justice-for-andile-mchunu-bobo
Synopsis: A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen - then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers - to show ourselves to the world in bold colour.
Review: The Black Flamingo is a story told in verse about a boy named Michael who is learning what it means to be queer and Black. I enjoyed Michael's story quite a bit. I loved seeing him better grasp his identity when he was younger. One of the things Michael asks his mom is about whether he and his sister are "only half" in regards to being siblings since they both have different dads. This is just one example of how Michael starts to better understand himself since he is mixed race. I loved seeing Michael embrace all of the things that help make him who he is.
The Black Flaming is told in verse, which makes this an engaging read, but it also hinders the story a bit. At the start of the book, Michael is a child. At the end, he is in college. I'm not a fan of giant time jumps in general, but the book being told in verse makes much of the story feel surface level. The Black Flamingo is a great example of a kid who grows up and moves away, and is able to find a community that embraces him. Michael finds the drag community and it just fits with him.
Beautiful story about a boy figuring out his identity, and finding a community that welcomes him.
4 howls
If you enjoyed The Black Flamingo, consider checking out the following titles:
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender (MG story about a boy dealing with the loss of his older brother as well as a troubled classmate)
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar (YA story about a lesbian Muslim girl who wrestles with having a crush on a girl appropriating her culture)
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson (YA story about a girl who didn't plan to run for prom queen, but decides to when she sees there's a monetary reward and her plans to pay for college get uprooted)
Synopsis: A boy comes to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teen - then at university he finds his wings as a drag artist, The Black Flamingo. A bold story about the power of embracing your uniqueness. Sometimes, we need to take charge, to stand up wearing pink feathers - to show ourselves to the world in bold colour.
Review: The Black Flamingo is a story told in verse about a boy named Michael who is learning what it means to be queer and Black. I enjoyed Michael's story quite a bit. I loved seeing him better grasp his identity when he was younger. One of the things Michael asks his mom is about whether he and his sister are "only half" in regards to being siblings since they both have different dads. This is just one example of how Michael starts to better understand himself since he is mixed race. I loved seeing Michael embrace all of the things that help make him who he is.
The Black Flaming is told in verse, which makes this an engaging read, but it also hinders the story a bit. At the start of the book, Michael is a child. At the end, he is in college. I'm not a fan of giant time jumps in general, but the book being told in verse makes much of the story feel surface level. The Black Flamingo is a great example of a kid who grows up and moves away, and is able to find a community that embraces him. Michael finds the drag community and it just fits with him.
Beautiful story about a boy figuring out his identity, and finding a community that welcomes him.
4 howls
If you enjoyed The Black Flamingo, consider checking out the following titles:
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender (MG story about a boy dealing with the loss of his older brother as well as a troubled classmate)
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar (YA story about a lesbian Muslim girl who wrestles with having a crush on a girl appropriating her culture)
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson (YA story about a girl who didn't plan to run for prom queen, but decides to when she sees there's a monetary reward and her plans to pay for college get uprooted)
Comments