real ones: a novel

An interesting topic but I found that these characters didn't really do the idea justice.

"I don't come from culture so I'm intrigued by it." We know this is a lie, right? We all come from culture. We're all surrounded by culture all the time. If yours is the dominant culture, then that is all you see. But it is still culture. If you don't see it then you have to question your vantage point. Katherena Vermette explores the idea that people think cultural identity is there for the taking; a free-for-all. Some try culture on like a pair of pants or use it as personal expression. They hover above, dropping in and out based on convenience, never having put in the work of being genuine. They take credit where none is due, demanding forgiveness rather permission when accused of appropriation or straight-up theft. The imbalance between appropriator and appropriated infuriates her. Privilege and white fragility frame the lens through which Vermette draws the reader's gaze. ...I brought up my discomfort, however sheepishly, about the whole cultural appropriation thing, which at that time was still being framed as a controversy. The prof seemed to thicken her posh accent as she shook her head and didn't even let me finish my point before interjecting. "Oh no, I don't think this is relevant at all. We're artists and this is just what we do." Patronizing. Dismissive. But also concise. I usually appreciate concise. Especially from writers, most of whom tent to go on. but really we know this is complete bullshit, right? That's not confusing is it? That doesn't hurt anyone's feelings too much? I mean, yeah, of course we can do whatever we want. All of us can, all the time. but that's not what she was talking about. She was talking about consequences. She wanted to do whatever she wanted without having to hear about the consequences. None of us is free from that. Ever. Nor should we be. At one point in the story, June implies the assumption that only those who are OF a specific culture would immerse themselves in the study and academic understanding of that culture. My eyebrow was raised. Is that really true? Is there no room for an African American who becomes knowledgeable in the language, history and tradition of Japan before moving there, or a Swed who loves the beauty of Flamenco dance and music? I think it's a far stretch from appropriation to genuine love and respect. But this is not just a TED Talk about the hypocrisy of claiming what was never yours. Between bullet points, a deep current of Vermette's love and pride flows. She paints vivid portraits of strong women -- mother protective of daughter yet respectful of the child's autonomy, sisters imperfect but loving, guided by the steady hand of the family matriarch. Beyond her Metis heritage, her identity is rooted in the people who raised and shaped her. Overall, I enjoyed the writing and my thoughts were provoked.

Genuinely hard to believe this is the same author that wrote “the Break”. It completely lacks the depth that we saw in her previous books