☮ I saw myself in a lot of the characters at their age and even now. I remember as a child when I became aware of the injustices surrounding black people. During Trayvon Martin's murder trial and when the verdict was wrong how I felt sick and cried. I grew up having mainly black Caribbean African friends but watching Hannah Montana and listening to Justin Bieber. I never considered myself not black or an oreo but many people made assumptions about me because of my interests and hobbies like reading. The trial changed how I felt and saw others. I was never the same again. I still have diverse interests and friends but I'm more aware now of things.
🖤 I too saw myself as unattractive compared to my peers. Always crushing on people who were not interested in me. I was just being myself and that never seemed to be enough. To this day that stands to be true. I've come a long way with my confidence and emotions. I am shayla, hana, Isabella, julia, Angie, Tyler, etc. All the characters in the book showed me something forgotten.