Option 1 “Heavy”

            When reading a book, I always believe that it should be for some reason. Whether it is to educate myself on a story or topic that may be unfamiliar to me or because I see there may be a connection with myself and the author’s background and the story they written. Whatever the reason may be when selecting a book, everyone must make your decision on the premise of what is best for them. During my selection process of the three novels “Heavy”, “Ordinary Girls”, and “Fairest” I researched not only what the books were about but also different books each author has written in the past. I did this to see which author I believe I can connect with most and which story I might be most eager to read. During one of the previewing assignments where we looked at the book covers and analyzed them. The book, for some reason that stood out to me most, was “Heavy” maybe because of the title which grasped my attention as I tried to decipher it. All this coming together has led me to choose the book “Heavy” by Kiese Laymon. I have made this decision because I believe his story and the experiences he faced as a black boy growing up in the South and persevering is something that can not only educate me but anyone who battles through hardships.

            “Heavy” is a memoir written by Kiese Laymon where he writes to his mother describing what it was like growing up together in Jackson, Mississippi. The research I have done has shown me that it is about growing up as a young black boy who has to battle racism all around him as well as battling his obesity. However, that is not his only hardships. Kiese grows up with a single mother who is very educated but beats him throughout his childhood and forces him to write essays. Through this cruelty he is able to find his voice through his writing and gain the courage to make his voice heard. He battles against all these different hardships in an effort to become a man in this country.

            In one of the previewing activities, we have done where we read “Quick Feet” by Kiese Laymon, he wrote “I understood that day why you and Grandmama were so hungry for black wins regardless of how tiny those wins were. All we had to do was not lose the way they wanted us to” (Kiese Laymon). This quote shows how desperate they were to break the cycle that has put African Americans down for so long. Doing your absolute best in order to get any little win all while making sure you are 10 times better than what any white person might think. This shows the perseverance of Kiese, his Grandmama, and the whole African American community. Many people in today’s world live a complicated and difficult life, some more than others. Struggle is a well-known story when talking about minorities or immigrants living in America. Fighting against this struggle only a few are able to persevere and they do this by channeling their anger and emotions into something they love to do. Laymon’s introduction into writing was through his mother abusing him and forcing him to write punishment essays and constantly having to revise them (Deuel, 2018). However, through his writing he begins to make his voice heard. He uses his writings and books as a kind of superpower to help him see the world he is forced to live in. He channels all his emotions into a pen and paper and that’s what helps him persevere. This is something I believe anyone who reads it can learn some lesson. In the face of adversity, you need to search for the little wins you make and make sure you are better than what others expect. Doing something you love to do can also help you achieve those wins as you might be best when doing it. The lesson I learned from this is to exceed anyone’s expectations with your morals, kindness, decisions, and personality.

            Kiese Laymon’s perseverance was against the systematic racism he had to endure in the outside world. In his “Quick Feet” Kiese’s Grandmama writes “It ain’t about making white folk feel what you feel. It’s about not feeling they want you to feel” (Kiese Laymon). This quote from the “Quick Feet” really stuck with me because it is another issue many people face. So many people in this world try to put others down and many believe they are either too weak or incapable of fighting back. However, one of the most powerful tools someone has is their emotions. Being able to not feel hurt or mad when someone who is evil tries to break you down is the only thing that will make that person angry and confused. This perseverance is something difficult to accomplish however, if it is I believe you will never be hurt by another person’s words.

            This powerful and brutally honest memoir written by Kiese Laymon is something I am very excited to read. While there are many different topics one can learn from reading this book such as: the systematic racism people endure throughout their life in America, and the abuse one can receive from both the outside world and their own family. I have taken the route of learning from Laymon’s perseverance on the racism him and his family had to endure. From being an overweight black boy in the South to becoming a man, an author, and educator, Kiese Laymon has fought his whole life to get to where he is now. However, he chose not to fight with his hands but to do so with his mind and his ability to write his heart out.

References

Kiese Laymon, I. by L. S. B., Vaidhyanathan, S., Petrusich, A., Bradley, R., Kolbe, L., & Alison, J. (2018). Quick feet. VQR Online. Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.vqronline.org/memoir-articles/2018/10/quick-feet.

Deuel, N. (2018, October 17). ‘Heavy’ by Kiese Laymon may be the most IMPORTANT MEMOIR you read this year. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 27, 2021, from https://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-laymon-heavy-20181012-story.html. 

Toll, M. A. (2018, October 17). ‘Heavy’ brilliantly renders the struggle to become fully realized. NPR. Retrieved September 28, 2021, from https://www.npr.org/2018/10/17/657824190/heavy-brilliantly-renders-the-struggle-to-become-fully-realized.