章節 178: Spotlight#187: Wash Day Diaries
Have you ever wanted a snapshot of someone's life? If so, you'll have fun with Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith.
Summary
On the streets of New York City, we follow the stories of four best friends who decide to live their best and busy lives during wash day. This is when they clear out their schedules and get their hair washed, conditioned, etc. This single snapshot shows us a little more about their lives than most can say.
Characters
Kim: A live singer who performs in local locales, Kim is used to performing well under pressure, whether on stage or from interacting with her ex, Malik.
Nisha: A freelance photographer, Nisha is a woman of conflict. Not only does she wonder what will lead to that perfect shot, but also what would lead to her perfect match. Between her old flames, Clark and Daniel, and her happiness, it's a hard sell no matter what.
Cookie: The most positive of the four girls, Cookie is always there to lend a helping hand to those who need it. Unfortunately, not everything is sunshine and rainbows. But you would never know from her hairstyle and wardrobe. With one of her Abuela suffering from dementia while disapproving of her bisexuality, she must ask if she even has the chance to rebuild the bridge between them.
Davena: The lowest-key girl, Davena, is in a period of transition. Despite her successes in social work, the longer time goes on, the more she feels she's wasted her degree. Regardless, she at least has a set of supportive friends to help her find
Summary
During my trek through Black History Month with stories like the Black Mage and a future entry on this cluster. I decided to dig through a couple of stories and found this on Goodreads. Between that and seeing pop-ups occasionally at some NYC bookstores, I decided to cave in and buy it. And I'm glad I did. Wash Day is the definition of short and sweet, balancing a short story between all the girls across a single day before the "final" one, "Ride or Die," where they all together.
This format is actually pretty fun, though, since it makes rereads a bit of a delight when it comes to picking up on subtle clues and hints. I was serious before about calling this a snapshot of these girls' lives, but I never feel cheated. The thing that definitely shines through most across each story is the bond between the four friends.
You can tell that despite their busy lives, they all have a genuine and endearing love for one another. I need to remember a fact about my life as I get busier and older. Regardless, for all my melinated readers, if bonding isn't what you're looking for, how about that art? I've seen Robyn Hill's art, but its smooth nature and unique design make the characters feel lively yet realistic. Further accented by Colorists Bex Glending, Kazimir Lee, and designer Neil Egan, Wash Day Diaries I is a visually calming piece to read.
Epilogue
I know this spotlight is one of the shortest of the current lineup, but make sure to consider my briefness for being wrong. Wash Day Diaries feels like a celeberation to black women everywhere. And if the reception is to be believed, others see it as well. The book won a 2023 Alex award and a Los Angeles Times book prize, making it arguably the most celebrated book on this list. Still, as an artist, I can't help but ask for more light to shine on these creators. I'm there to see it when I can. Until then, let's move on.
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