This is a book unlike any I’ve read before. I have, of course, read books—both fiction and non-fiction—about race relations and racism, but nothing quite like this. As Amber mentions, there is no clear storyline, and many of these stories are quite out-of-this-world. Quite insane, and yet I believe that they have happened. In this collection of personal stories, Amber is sharing many moments in her and her sister Lacey’s lives, but mainly her sister’s. These stories all have a common theme: racism. Some are more predictable than others. Some are short, others longer. Some are sad, others so terribly ridiculous that you have to laugh. You have to.
Lacey shares a little as well, but what I liked the most about these two sisters as writers was their back-and-forth: Amber teasing her sister and Lacey doing the same. It’s definitely one of the things that make this book unique. I could feel their connection through the pages, and although I had never heard any of them speaking before prior to reading this book, I could easily imagine what their voices would sound like. I’m happy to have found a new comedian to listen to and I feel honoured to have had the chance to understand Lacey Lamar’s life better.
I admire her courage, especially when it came to dealing with racism at her work places. At times, she said something. At other times, she would walk away. Mainly though, she spoke up… and got fired. Now, that is scary to me. I sometimes tolerate disrespect because I don’t want to rock the boat and because I don’t always trust how things will come out of my mouth and the reactions those words will engender in others. But Lacey’s bravery is inspiring me to speak up more often and to understand when enough is enough and not feel bad for leaving a place that did not value me as a whole human being.
Thank you Hachette Book Group Canada for the copy in exchange for an honest review!
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