The Black Flamingo – Dean Atta
100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: Michael isn’t sure which of his identities is his true north, but through a life lived openly and with support, he learns to embrace what makes him unique — like a black flamingo.
Expectation: A heavy-handed exploration of intersectionality.
Reality: An accessible, but sometimes rushed, journey of self-acceptance buoyed by gorgeous poems sprinkled throughout the text.
Recommended For: Those wanting to try a book in verse, lovers of poetry and queer/BIPOC YA.
Why I Read It: It popped up on #Bookstagram several times and Apple Books had it on sale.
My Take:
Michael has an almost preternatural sense of self. As early as six, he recognizes that he’s different — from his friends, his family and other boys — and while he longs to find a place to belong, he understands that a life lived to meet others’ expectations is no life at all.
Written for younger readers, it’s an accessible introduction to conversations about intersectionality as we see Michael process the various facets of his identity before fully embracing and sharing openly the parts that make him feel seen, not as a “this or that,” but as a person.
Dean Atta writes with a mixture of narrative verse and poetry that keeps the story easy to read, while helping to emphasize the takeaways on his journey.
Michael encounters several instances of unconscious bias, internalized and overt homophobia, racial passing and fetishization that are presented in an age appropriate (probably 13+) but mostly surface level way.
While impactful, Atta never gets into the nitty-gritty details as to how these experiences clouded Michael’s perception of self, and in many ways the first-half of the story felt rushed.
The last several chapters — “Drag,” “Glitter Ball,” “Just Be a Man” and “Epilogue,” which make up about half of the novel — were the strongest, and you are cheering along with his friends as The Black Flamingo, Michael’s drag alter-ego and true self, makes a first appearance.
While imperfect, “The Black Flamingo” is a worthy way to spend a few hours. The poems that bookend most chapters are reason alone to pick this up, but queer and/or BIPOC readers will especially see themselves in the pages.
I found the closing poem, “How to Come Out as Gay,” especially poignant, and something I wish I would’ve had access to when I was trying to understand — and accept — myself.
Remember you have the right to be proud.
Remember you have the right to be you.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): N/A
Formats: E-book (personal library)
Dates read: February 17 - 20, 2021
Multi-tasking: N/A
