Trauma, Power, the Body, and Ships
There are lots of things I can say about Legendborn, but first I want to say that I loved the book! I really think it is a pivotal text in the rediscovery of my love for reading. Maybe I stopped reading fantasy novels because I never saw myself. Another thought… where are all the Black people? I hope to see a lot more in the next book. I would love to see more Black community for Bree. Also #teamsel. I ship Bree and Sel. Nick? I can’t say I care who he ends up with or if he ends up with anyone at all. NOW, on to my academic thoughts regarding the novel.
There are three things that Tracy Deonn does (in my opinion) really well in the novel. Two of the three things are actually mentioned in the podcast we had to listen to a few weeks ago. All three things help provide phenomenal representation
1. Collective memory and generational trauma manifesting in the body
2. Identity world building in fantasy
3. Biracial and Queer romance in young adult literature
In terms of collective memory and generational trauma, I wrote a post a couple weeks ago concerning Black-Womanhood and whether it is inextricably linked to violence and pain. Again, I’m not sure I can say that they are tethered together, but violence, pain, and trauma are all a major part of Black-Womanhood. I loved How Deonn introduces a major part of the Black-Womanhood experience in a way that is accessible to younger audiences in contemporary fantasy while also paying homage or respects to those that have passed. She showcases the connection of Black-Womanhood from generation to generation while not sugarcoating the past. She also conveys pain as well as power in the body. With Kindred, Dana has power but at the mercy of the white male oppressor. Dana’s power is limited. It is connected to the pain and creates/causes more pain in the body. In Legendborn, Bree’s power is also connected to pain, but is more often than not, controlled by and at the mercy of the Black women that came before her. Yes, King Author posses her body at the end, but throughout the novel Bree and her ancestors dictate the use of the power in her body. Black-Womanhood is made to be more than just trauma and pain, but power and anger and strength.
I don’t read a lot of fanfics, but when I do, I HATE when y/n is obviously white. No… no he can not run his fingers through my hair. No it did not take 20 minutes to wash my hair. Deonn does a great job at taking the time to incorporate everyday aspects of Black-Womanhood and Blackness in general. The things that seem trivial to white readers but mean the world to little Black girls. One thing about marginalized populations, is that we can almost insert ourselves when we aren’t there. It’s the same reason ships (relationship pairings) come in all shapes and sizes. A ship may not be canon, but we can create queer ships and biracial ships and create fanart etc. to create our own representation. But that can be frustrating. Even with fan-art, Black artists often redraw characters as Black! There was a whole month (Blacktober) dedicated to it (it was GREAT by the way). Marginalized people have always inserted themselves into stories, because where else could we have gotten the representation? If we are limitless, we have the power to recreate stories through our own lens. Instead of having to assume Bree would take forever to wash her hair, it is explained. The Black reader doesn’t have to insert their experiences where they aren’t there because they are there, and white readers don’t get the privilege of assuming their experiences are there at all! This is so important. Whiteness is decentered and Blackness is centered! It means the world to me!
Last I want to touch on biracial relationships/romance in the novel. Many Black kids assume white people (especially white boys) will never see beauty in them. I don’t feel that way now nor do I care about white male validation, but at 15 I did. I’m not saying Bree is getting white male validation, but I am saying that Black characters can be in relationships with anyone. Growing up, the two sole Black characters always magically got together. They were pushed to the side and placed together. White writers and creators were lazy with their representation. A lot of Black kids get excited to see biracial romance with their representation. It’s honestly nice to see and I think would have made my childhood self happy. I don’t think it is always necessary, but I think it does some good work especially when the Black character (in this case Bree) is “unapologetically Black.” Lgbtq+ representation is even more so necessary and Deonn incorporates it well. Queer love triangles and relationships are introduced so well! I think for young adult readers it is important to showcase non heterosexual relationships. With homophobia in the Black community, I am happy to know there are young adult fantasy novels catered to Black audiences that provide representation that is often seen as taboo in the Black home.
