Book #1 : Post 1

 From all the book options that were offered, I decided to read Brittney Griner’s In My Skin. I’m not a big sports fan, but the information I already knew about her led me to purchase her book. Brittney Griner is a well-known professional basketball player that won gold at the Olympics and is one of the very well-known faces of the WNBA. Though the book was written before she was released from being detained in Russia, it made me interested in knowing what type of person she was before the incident. Also, knowing the difficulties of being a person of color and gay in America had me wondering about what her journey looked like. 

After reading the first chapters, I would recommend this book to anyone that is wanting to get into reading nonfiction or autobiography books. Britney writes her story in a funny but relatable way that keeps you reading to the next chapter. Also, the book is unique in way that she always goes back to her childhood memories in each chapter about a significant moment in her life and how she relates that event to her past. The book is a easy read but interesting even if you are not gay, a female or even like basketball. Overall, Brittney shows how she is an example of never judging a book by her cover. Though many people see her physical attributes as an advantage, Britney describes the many struggles she had because of it. She reveals that she is always holding back her strength on and outside the court. Also, she feels like she’s a people pleaser at times and wants people to see past her physical features. Britney admits in the book that she was always fighting in school and she lashes out when she feels extremely emotional but it is only when she can no longer contain her anger and is never the aggressor.


She gives the message that you have to stop yourself from making assumptions about people based on their physical appearance or in certain moments. You can’t create a notion that you already know enough about someones' personality and life based on an interaction or watching them. Even though you make those assumptions in your head, the other person notices what going on. I know people in my life that are judged and treated differently because of this same issue. They physically look intimating while people judge them on small things like having many tattoos and speaking a certain way. Yet, they are the nicest and most respectful people I know. So, you have to give people a chance to show you who they are.


Also, another aspect of the book that stands out to readers like myself is the relationship she has with her parents. She grew up in a conservative state with a strict father but she had good relationships with him and said she was a daddy’s girl. However, when her sexuality came out and her father questioned Britney, the relationship immediately became strained and she moved out while she was in high school. Her father’s rejection of her being gay changed their relationship to the point that it was never the same. But, she ended up becoming closer to her mother as a result. I relate with her on this aspect of her life because I understand how difficult it is to talk to loved ones that have conservative views. Especially, when you are discussing how your lifestyle or who you are doesn’t agree with their opinions. This creates a fear of being rejected. Also, you question if they love you to the point that they can still accept you and you hope that the relationship won’t change or it grows stronger.

In addition, Britney discovers her relationship with her father had a more of an effect on her than she realized and how she reacts in certain situations. Also, after coming out of the closet, you find out that her sexuality is still causing her issues. I am currently past the mid way point of the book and is focused on her college basketball career. So, I am looking forward to reading more about that and the other challenges she’s endured.