Review: You Won't Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar
You Won't Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar! It chronicles the experiences of a Black woman in middle America, specifically Nebraska, and how yes, white people really have said these things to her. It's humorous and poignant. I highly recommend this book on audio!
I picked this one up at the recommendation of my friend Haley, who always has the best recommendations! Follow her instagram because she is one of the smartest people I know and I adore her.
Also, this BOOK! I couldn’t put it down. It was one of those audiobooks I kept finding meaningly chores to do so I could continue listening. You know the ones. I also mentioned in Read It Or List It yesterday if you need even more convincing to pick up this book.
Synopsis: “Now a writer and performer on Late Night with Seth Meyers and host of The Amber Ruffin Show, Amber Ruffin lives in New York, where she is no one's First Black Friend and everyone is, as she puts it, "stark raving normal." But Amber's sister Lacey? She's still living in their home state of Nebraska, and trust us, you'll never believe what happened to Lacey.
From racist donut shops to strangers putting their whole hand in her hair, from being mistaken for a prostitute to being mistaken for Harriet Tubman, Lacey is a lightning rod for hilariously ridiculous yet all-too-real anecdotes. She's the perfect mix of polite, beautiful, petite, and Black that apparently makes people think "I can say whatever I want to this woman." And now, Amber and Lacey share these entertainingly horrifying stories through their laugh-out-loud sisterly banter. Painfully relatable or shockingly eye-opening (depending on how often you have personally been followed by security at department stores), this book tackles modern-day racism with the perfect balance of levity and gravity.” —From the publisher
What I Liked:
The Relationship between Lacey & Amber—I loved that this was written by sisters! It makes the book flow like a conversation and you’re right there with them. I also love that because Amber is a comedian, she was able to bring her sister’s story to the public, because what Lacey experiences happens to Black women everywhere.
The Humor—I love late night comedy and comedians. The humor makes this book digestible, it allows you to continue reading (or listening) to the terrible instances of racism. Comedy is one of the most intelligent art forms and I think allows the authors to reach more reluctant people.
The Message—Racism is alive and well in the United States and, I say to my fellow white people, you need to recognize your part in keeping systemic racism alive. Microaggressions and white silence can be more harmful that “loud” racists.
What Didn’t Work:
. As per usual with my 2021 books so far, nothing. This is a MUST READ.
TW/CW: Racism, racist language, microaggressions, joblessness
Character Authenticity: N/A (it’s a memoir) but you will walk away wanting to be friends with Amber and Lacey
Steam Rating: N/A
Overall Rating: 10/5