This is a book I wish I had, had when I was going into College and finally allowed to learn who I really was. Along with finding where I belonged, and would be treated accepted as I was.
The mix of storytelling and science is the kind of thing I love in Non-Fiction works. It allows me to take so much more from the writing then I would otherwise, and Lindo Bacon does a magnificent job of it.

The one things I would recommend is to purchase a physical copy as it was incredibly difficult to read this on kindle due to some symbols not be recognized and foot notes showing up in places that were not helpful.

In Radical Belonging, Lindo Bacon argues that community is the antidote. To what? Problems that arise in the human body from systemic oppression.

Compiled of explanatory sections with anecdotes, Bacon aims to educate the reader. Toward this goal, they is successful. The argument of the book follows a clear structure: Culture is oppressive → Look to the body for evidence → Here’s what we can do to fight oppression → Here’s what you can do as an individual → But, for a lasting solution, society must change. Bacon even includes a glossary, manifesto for body liberation, critical awareness exercise, and toolbox to “smash the gender binary”. The book exemplifies Lindo’s overarching point: self-help and societal change are interconnected.

“Instead of trying to make the woundedness go away, let’s create a safe place to be ourselves, to trust each other and come together in our woundedness.” (Pg. 271)

The book fits in the genres of advocacy and self-help — yet is confined to neither.

Despite a well structured and persuasive argument, I found the writing style difficult to connect with, slipping into skimming portions as Lindo continually expanded on various definitions — most being terms their target audience are familiar with. I appreciate Lindo’s insistence on not assuming the reader’s knowledge base — their insights on gender were quite helpful — but it did come off a tad patronizing at points. (For example, the average reader knows who Yoda is, but a definition is given nonetheless.) The awkwardly inserted anecdotes, while complementing the specific issue being discussed, failed to construct an overarching narrative for the reader to follow from beginning to end. Further, certain ideas and examples were repeated — sometimes word for word — in different chapters of the book. The book doesn’t seem to be written for a beginning to end read, as I read it, but as a reference guide for a reader to jump around, picking and choosing which sections seem interesting.

Lindo’s argument is hardly novel (the basis of various ancient religions is connection and rapidly developing social science literature seems to agree) but her presentation is uniquely crafted for today. I suspect it will resonate with many.

I’m tempted to say Radical Belonging would be most useful in the hands of policy makers and the medical community, but that would be to miss the point: this is about every body (yes, body) taking personal responsibility, not just for our own self-improvement, but improving society. Indeed, the two are inseparable.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGallery.

This title was not quite what I expected, and therefore it wasn’t a fit for the purposes for which I was reading. I was expecting a more academic look at body image and social commentary on body issues, when it read more as a memoir with elements of self-help.

I was already a Lindo Bacon fan but this book was exactly as promised — a companion to thriving amidst trauma, oppression, and injustice. The book takes you on a personal journey and also a traveler along a wider conversation. This is a great read for seasoned social justice change agents and a great primer for individuals new to learning about marginalized groups.