White Women are Evil Beings from Another Universe
The end.
Ok, but for real though: I’d heard about N.K. Jemisin’s The City We Became some time ago and was intrigued. So, when I started a book club a few months ago, I knew that it’d be the perfect opportunity to check it out. Let me just say this off the top: O.M.G!!!! I was not at all disappointed! In fact, the novel far exceeded my expectations! Before starting in, I had no idea how hard it’d be to put it down. I also didn’t realize how much of the sci-fi/spiritual/metaphysical nerd it would pull out of me.
I don’t recall from where I heard about this book first, but I do remember it being described as a work of science fiction taking a different look at gentrification and that the main antagonist was a white woman or “Woman in White.” That was enough to pique my interest; so, I was excited to start flipping the pages. Many members of my book club found the prologue chaotic and hard to follow, which was a shock to me because I got through it easily. But, see, the way my brain is set up… I liken the entire book to a blockbuster sci-fi Netflix movie (or series) with the prologue being the mysterious opening scenes that leave you confused yet intrigued. It throws you into this world without context and forces (or allows) you to figure things out as you go. The haze starts to clear a few chapters in as you begin to get pulled into the city of New York from the perspectives of unlikely heroes.
Speaking of the heroes, I love how Jemisin diversified these characters. Of the main characters plus a couple of supporting characters, you have: Black people, an Indian woman, a character that is Indigenous & elder, Hong Kong, a Brazilian and plenty of queerness to go around! Jemisin, thoughtfully, embodied the multicultural beauty and diversity of New York. Together (mostly) the heroes battle the Woman in White for the fate of the known universe in unexpected ways, calling upon the unique hallmarks of the city and its boroughs as weapons. Brilliant! And while they are likeable protagonists, each is flawed in his/her own way, making them relatable characters of depth. For example, one has a bit of past homophobia to reckon with while another may or may not have been a murderer-for-hire.
The work is a scathing critique of so many impediments of human progress and happiness: Racism, gentrification, conservatism, homophobia & xenophobia. The Woman in White, who is, literally, the whitest woman to ever be, embodies and wields these hateful beliefs and behaviors to recruit others, who are already right-leaning, into her insidious army.
Jemisin shows the importance of preserving, loving and embracing the uniqueness that a city like New York possesses, and thus, the people that make the city what it is.
Wall art by Aaron Maybin
