Customer Reviews

Revolutionary Voices

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was a truly amazing book. I must have read every piece at least three times, and I constantly found myself wanting to stop random people just to read them a line or two. Some of the works were very far from me, but I appreciated their perspectives and experiences anyway. Others, though, felt so much like my story that it was scary that someone else had written them. I think that's the best thing about this book. Everyone can relate to something in it. Before I read it, I knew there were people who felt the same way as me, I just didn't relize how rarely I heard them express it openly. It felt so good to relate to it the way I did, and the way I know almost any queer kid could. You should definitely read this book.

This is a fabulous book! It includes different kinds of writing and artwork from youth all over the country. It was edited by a young queer person, and the writing in it really does reflect what's going on in our communities, unlike many of the books out there that are edited by adults. The radical politics behind the project make it one of the most inspiring books I've read in a while...this book isn't about assimilation, it really is revolutionary. Check it out!

"Revolutionary Voices: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology" is edited by Amy Sonnie and has an introduction by Margot Kelley Rodriguez. This anthology (of 259 + xxvi pages) features the work of over 50 contributors. The editor's note by Sonnie declares that this book is "_by_ and _for_ queer and questioning youth"--it is explained that the word "queer" is employed "as an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people." Also noted is that the contributors range in age from 14 to 26.

The selections in the book are very diverse in genre: visual art, poetry, prose, performance pieces, interviews, diary excerpts. The contributors are also a diverse group, representing many different ethnic/cultural backgrounds. There is a first-person statement from each reviewer that prefaces her/his contribution; also featured are photos of most of the contributors.

The book includes "Queer 101," an intriguing glossary of relevant terminology ("ageism," "FTM," "monosexism," "ze," etc.). Particulary thoughtful is the inclusion of a section on resources for queer youth: crisis hotlines, ethnic organizations, religious support groups, etc.

Yes, some pieces are raw and amateurish, and at times the voices sound pretentious or self-indulgent. But overall the collection is thought-provoking, and at times it is very moving. There were many themes in the book that struck me as particularly significant: being bi- or multiethnic; "coming out": being aware of (and resisting) interlocking systems of oppression; anxiety about invisibility and assimilation; etc.

I found certain pieces particularly memorable. In "Different: My Experiences as an Intersexed Gay Boy," S. Asher Hanley notes how an intersex person can be marginalized in both straight and gay society. "Tasting Home," by Uchechi Kalu, is a compelling poem that deals with immigration and bilingualism. "Straight-Out Pain," a poem by Antigona, is about undergoing an exorcism. But I found the most moving piece to be "The Memory of Bathing," by Qwo-Li Driskell; this short but powerful prose piece recounts a political/emotional epiphany he experienced while attending a national HIV/AIDS forum.

One could consider poet-activists Audre Lorde and June Jordan to be the god(dess)mothers of this collection; each woman receives multiple mentions in the course of the anthology, and the book as a whole really reflects the artistic and political principles that each woman lived out in her life and remarkable work. I recommend "Revolutionary Voices" to readers of all ages.

I've loved this book since it was originally published, and I think that it continues to represent a wave of new Queer activists, artists, and cultural workers. It's exciting to see these people continue the important work represented in this book, including (but certainly not limited to) Sherisse Alvarez, Meliza Bañales, Alegria Barclay, Ahimsa Timoteo Bodhrán, Siobhan Brooks, Colin Kennedy Donovan, Qwo-Li Driskill, Uchechi Kalu, Lisa Lusero, Alix Oson, Margot Kelley Rodriguez and of course the editor, Amy Sonnie. I'm sure this collection will continue to be a major contribution to GLBTQ literature.

I bought this book because a school district banned it. Despite the claim, it's rather bland and not revolutionary.

In an attempt to include the widest possible array of young voices, there actually seems to be an exclusion of the majority of LGBT youth (I was expecting an illustrated poem/rap song from a lesbian goat farmer Latina with a conjoined twin).

Also, the authors were mostly web-based writers (before the blog era) so the perspective is limited there as well. Too many poems, not enough prose about specific problems facing LGBT youth.

Aviod this anthology at any cost. It is depressing and it is out of date. Do not give your time or your brain cells to this book.