RIOTUS

In ‘One of Our Kind,’ Nicola Yoon takes us inside the mind of Jasmyn, a woman who craves change and equality for Black America. The resulting journey leads to an unsettling, dystopian utopia where social commentary intersects with sci-fi thriller. Yoon says her inspiration grew out of ‘The Stepford Wives’ crossed with ‘Get Out’ and is infused with the daily fears of brutality Black Americans face. ‘One of Our Kind’ questions how far one town will go and how much they’re willing to destroy to attain the idea of safety. Jasmyn, while at times maddeningly judgmental, represents the discontent of traditionally marginalized peoples caught in society’s prejudices, leaving readers uneasy yet intrigued. The book’s strength lies in the conversations it provokes, but also in the mirror it holds up. Yet, I craved a more visceral experience to sharpen the intellectual one—not just to understand Jasmyn’s fears but to submerge in her perspective independently from my own. Although I must admit, at first, I was frustrated by the ending, but then I realized the closing passages are born out of the tragic inadequacy haunting those of us who dream of equality but keep hearing shots fired.

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