No review, this time, sorry. Instead, I’m shining the spotlight on a book I am highly anticipating — The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me by Keah Brown. It’s set for a late summer release, and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
In full transparency, I didn’t know who Keah Brown was before 3 days ago, when I saw it featured in a catalog of upcoming releases. But I stopped at this cover. Why? Because it’s rare that I see a book representing Black women’s joy. There she is on the cover of her book exuding what looks like carefree bliss. Then, when I read the subtitle and saw it focused on a Black woman with a disability? I knew there would be no question that I’d be reading her book.
Why? I am a Black woman with a disease that severely limits my mobility. It is apparent as soon as I walk into a room, so I move through the world as a Black, disabled woman. This perspective is rarely represented in media, and it is becoming a more salient aspect of my own identity as I shift into actually being willing to identity as such. To see a woman who owns her disability address it is … powerful, emotional, and makes me feel all the fells.
As I’ve been catching up about Brown, I discovered that she is the creator of the viral hashtag #disabledandcute. It is a treasure trove of people who are embracing their unique traits and changing the narrative. To be disabled does not mean lesser, and certainly doesn’t mean one needs to be hidden. I love it! I’ve come across more of Brown’s essays and I see my experiences reflected in so many of those she shares, and I imagine her book will go into more depth about navigating life in a body society inherently judges and an existence society doesn’t necessarily value. I certainly know where I’ll be once her book drops (spoiler – on my couch, cup of chai, and her book).
You can visit Brown’s website here, and follow her on Twitter here. Her book, The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me can be preordered here.
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