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FORTY-THREE SEPTEMBERS
Firebrand Books (1993)
The essays in this book weave together the varied strands of experience that contribute to a feminist activist life. The essays touch on many topics: her coming out to her family at a movie theatre; learning to swim; her father’s elegance; the bond between blacks and Jews; the influence of writer Lorraine Hansberry; the image of black women in photography (with family pictures) and the nature of being a recovering Catholic. Exploring her relationships to the people around her and to the contemporary political and literary climate, the author conveys her sense of the mythic heroism of ordinary people.
Review
“In this collection of 15 personal essays Gomez writes from the perspective of a “middle aging” black lesbian comfortable with her past and uncertain of the future. She writes with unwavering love, warmth, and appreciation of family members, especially of her African American/Native American great-grandmother who raised her. Within the story of the interrelationships of family, Gomez interweaves African American history with the issues of racism, sexism and homophobia among blacks and whites. In these discussions Gomez delves astutely into the areas of literature, advertising, comedy, music drama, religion and politics. Gomez’s words flow with an ease, honesty and intellect that is mesmerizing.”
—Library Journal, November 15, 1993
