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Some of My Best Friends
Some of My Best Friends: Essays on Lip Service | Tajja Isen
4 posts | 5 read | 6 to read
A fearless and darkly comic essay collection about race, justice, and the limits of good intentions. In this stunning debut collection, Catapult editor-in-chief and award-winning voice actor Tajja Isen explores the absurdity of living in a world that has grown fluent in the language of social justice but doesnt always follow through. These nine daring essays explore the sometimes troubling and often awkward nature of that discord. Some of My Best Friends takes on the cartoon industrys pivot away from colorblind casting, the pursuit of diverse representation in the literary world, the laws refusal to see inequality, and the cozy fictions of nationalism. Isen deftly examines the quick, cosmetic fixes society makes to address systemic problems, and reveals the unexpected ways they can misfire. In the spirit of Zadie Smith, Cathy Park Hong, and Jia Tolentino, Isen interlaces cultural criticism with her lived experience to explore the gaps between what we say and what we do, what we do and what we value, what we value and what we demand.
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xicanti
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Dessert involves hot chocolate and this essay collection, which is excellent so far. I had TV plans for tonight, but it looks like I‘ll be reading Tajja Isen instead.

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ReadingRachael
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This is a great collection of 9 essays aptly described on the front interior flap of the book as exploring “the absurdity of living in a world that has grown fluent in the language of social justice but doesn‘t always follow through” (I would say usually doesn‘t). Isen is from Toronto and therefore includes some excellent Canada specific content. I would still strongly recommend this book everyone though (not just Canadians.)

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she.hearts.horror
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Bookalong
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5☆A smart, engaging, honest, darkly funny collection of essays on race and social justice intenions. Isen's writing is accessible and really cuts deep. As a white woman I try to always acknowledge my privilege and this book was a great reminder of the toxicity of white feminism and the ways us white people need to do the work, not just provide lip service. I really enjoyed her writing and the way this collection is written. #bookreview

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