Loud by Drew Afualo

Much like Drew Afualo, I signed up for Tiktok during the covid-19 pandemic. Soon afterwards, I began to follow her: I absolutely live for tearing down bigots - bonus points if it's funny. Reading truly is fundamental.

So when I heard that she was releasing a book? Hell yeah! I'm buying it.

I opted to buy the audiobook - which she narrated. Appropriately, I worked on some feminist art while listening to her feminist playbook of self-love and confidence. I really connected to Drew, a plus sized Samoan woman, as another woman that doesn't fit the societal preferences that exclude me too.

I absolutely recommend that everyone read this book. Drew manages to convey the very complex, emotional issues of misogyny and its intersections with racism, ableism, and other forms of bigotry in a way that isn't accusatory and harsh - it's very down-to-earth, lighthearted, and sometimes even funny.

Throughout the book, I felt like I was just another one of her friends or a sister. She balanced her personal experiences with patriarchal norms, like facing a male-dominated sportscasting industry, with examinations of their origins.

Towards the end of the book, in particular, I felt my self-confidence grow. Drew Afualo succeeded in growing a vast community by standing up for herself against similar people who have long harmed me - perhaps many others can find that same strength and grow beyond archaic expectations? Perhaps I can too?

Either way, Drew's words have encouraged me to live with a loud, proud voice. It's well past time that my fellow women and femmes join her voice.

Get Loud here.

Follow her Tiktok here.

Follow her Instagram here.