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locdbooktician 's review for:
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot
Originally I wrote a very long and detailed review for this book. After giving it a few days to think about I decided that brevity is key. I am in a state of confusion when writing this book. On the one hand, I am thinking "here we go another white savior type book" and on the other hand "these are the types of stories that need to be told."
On a more minute level, reading this book reminded me of all the songs that Elvis and The Beatles stole from Black artists. So many lives were changed by those songs but no one really knows the people behind those songs. Reading this book reminded me of the days that I would partake in activism work. I wanted to scream out "SAY HER NAME" Henrietta Lacks!!! Not Henrietta Lane, Henrietta Lacks.
The author definitely went on a journey to receive this story. Henrietta Lacks' daughter Debra, her mental state was described in a way that I do know if I would have been able to work with her. I remember thinking, regrettably, thank god the author swore at her in the hotel room. The family dynamics of the Lacks family could be a book on its own. I think the author and Debra relationship was most notable.
When medical and college students are learning about the HELA cells from Henrietta Lacks, professors need to be better on educating students on why those cells came to be and the controversy is behind them. But! I believe that stating that HELA cells profits need to be given to the family is"controversial" is another way of saying, "men in power took them, you can't prove it, and we [men in power] are not paying you anything." I do realize what I stated is similar to things Henrietta Lacks' family members would have said. However, I think Debra would have chosen the path of forgiveness.
I may have had some reservations about this book but I am glad it is out and some of the proceeds are going to a fund that supports the descendants of the Lacks family. However, I kept thinking to myself "here we go another example of black women saving the world, again, with no credit or reciprocated relationship to show of it."
On a more minute level, reading this book reminded me of all the songs that Elvis and The Beatles stole from Black artists. So many lives were changed by those songs but no one really knows the people behind those songs. Reading this book reminded me of the days that I would partake in activism work. I wanted to scream out "SAY HER NAME" Henrietta Lacks!!! Not Henrietta Lane, Henrietta Lacks.
The author definitely went on a journey to receive this story. Henrietta Lacks' daughter Debra, her mental state was described in a way that I do know if I would have been able to work with her. I remember thinking, regrettably, thank god the author swore at her in the hotel room. The family dynamics of the Lacks family could be a book on its own. I think the author and Debra relationship was most notable.
When medical and college students are learning about the HELA cells from Henrietta Lacks, professors need to be better on educating students on why those cells came to be and the controversy is behind them. But! I believe that stating that HELA cells profits need to be given to the family is"controversial" is another way of saying, "men in power took them, you can't prove it, and we [men in power] are not paying you anything." I do realize what I stated is similar to things Henrietta Lacks' family members would have said. However, I think Debra would have chosen the path of forgiveness.
I may have had some reservations about this book but I am glad it is out and some of the proceeds are going to a fund that supports the descendants of the Lacks family. However, I kept thinking to myself "here we go another example of black women saving the world, again, with no credit or reciprocated relationship to show of it."