 A refreshingly honest account of transsexuality
Most of the information provided about transsexuality is provided from the point of view of the European or Caucasian. Whether on-line or through the literary presses, the African American, Latin, and the perspectives of so any other ethnic groups has been very much ignored.Sharon Davis is African American, and writes from the perspective of an individual who is discriminated against and oppressed -- not only for her choice of gender but also for the color of her skin. She is not a writer, and "A Finer Specimen of Women" is not likely to win any prizes for its literary style. It is, nevertheless, refreshingly honest and candid. Few people are familiar with such terms as "gender dysphoria," "gender identity disorder" or even transgendered. Sharon Davis shows that these terms do little do define who she is as a human being and as a woman. After reading her book, I'm more convinced than ever, that those of us who are born anatomically male but psychologically female, or anatomically female and psychologically male, do ourselves a great disservice with such labels as 'transsexual,' 'transgendered' or 'gender dysphoric.' Sharon Davis is years ahead of her time. Yet, I seriously doubt that she will ever be credited for her contribution to understanding the role of gender in American society. She was, perhaps, a transsexual. Fortunately, she was able to move beyond the labels, and become what she knew she was all along -- a woman. I very highly recommend this book to anyone concerned with gender issues -- not from a medical perspective but from the perspective of those who live the experience.
|