First published 2019
This collection brings together voices from across American society who faced discrimination in their youth. Senator Amy Klobuchar presents essays from diverse contributors including actress Alia Shawkat, former NFL player Wade Davis, teen activist Gavin Grimm, and Holocaust survivor Fanny Starr. Each writer examines moments when their race, gender, or sexual identity created barriers. Shawkat describes being deemed too ethnic for acting roles. Davis recounts bullying gay classmates while hiding his own sexuality. Grimm tells the story behind his fight against bathroom bills. Starr shares her experience surviving Auschwitz and losing family members. The contributors explore how they moved past hatred and obstacles to build meaningful lives. Their stories reveal the sources of their resilience and the paths they took to overcome society's narrow expectations. These personal accounts offer readers examples of persistence in the face of injustice.
Genres: american, contemporary, non-fiction, biography-memoir, activism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: inspirational, overcoming-adversity, personal-growth
320 pages · Paperback · Ember
Content warnings: racism, sexism