Karamo: My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing, and Hope
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Description
When Karamo Brown first auditioned for the casting directors of Netflix’s Queer Eye, he knew he wouldn’t win the role of culture expert by discussing art and theater. Instead he decided to redefine what “culture” could—and should—mean for the show. He took a risk and declared, “I am culture.”
Karamo believes that culture is so much more than art museums and the ballet—it’s how people feel about themselves and others, how they relate to the world around them, and how their shared labels, burdens, and experiences affect their daily lives in ways both subtle and profound. Seen through this lens, Karamo is culture: his family is Jamaican and Cuban; he was raised in the South in predominantly white neighborhoods and attended an HBCU (Historically Black College/University); he was trained as a social worker and psychotherapist; he overcame personal issues of colorism, physical and emotional abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, and public infamy; he is a proud and dedicated gay single father of two boys, one biological and one adopted. It is by discussing deep subjects like these, he feels, that the makeovers on the show can attain their full, lasting meaning. Styling your hair and getting new clothes and furniture are important, but it’s imperative that you figure out why you haven’t done so in twenty years so you can truly change your life.
In this eye-opening and moving memoir, Karamo reflects on his lifelong education. It comprises every adversity he has overcome, as well as the lessons he has learned along the way. It is only by exploring our difficulties and having the hard conversations—with ourselves and one another—that we are able to adjust our mind-sets, heal emotionally, and move forward to live our best lives.
Karamo shows us the way.
Book Information
Posts
I can't know what the future will hold. What I do know is that we all have the ability to effect change within ourselves and outwardly. We can reach out to one another and find ways to move the needle on success and love. Remember that growth starts at the root. I have to admit, after watching the first season of Queer Eye , I did not understand Karamo's role. I understood it later, but this book explains his role as cultural expert really good. I've rated Tan's memoir [b: Naturally Tan|40174034|Naturally Tan|Tan France|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539878448l/40174034._SX50_.jpg|62323838] one star and Jonathan's [b: Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love|41824023|Over the Top A Raw Journey to Self-Love|Jonathan Van Ness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564864774l/41824023._SX50_.jpg|65274850] two stars. Since I enjoyed Karamo's book more, he even receives three stars. By this rate, Bobby will write a book that's worth four stars! But let's get to the point: Karamo's book is a very quick read, since the font is quite large and there are many pictures. His tone is very chatty, which was quite pleasant to read. However, I did not like the structure of this book at all. He often mentions his kids and says "I will get to that later" and then his chapter on fatherhood is one of the last ones! He could have gotten to the point of that earlier. Instead of a chronological order, he separates such as abuse, drugs, church, fatherhood, Queer Eye, etc. which makes sense! But his constant "we'll talk about this later!"annoyed me a little bit. Apart from that, it was - surprisingly - the best memoir of any Queer Eye member. I liked Karamo's insights but it was lacking some structure.
Description
When Karamo Brown first auditioned for the casting directors of Netflix’s Queer Eye, he knew he wouldn’t win the role of culture expert by discussing art and theater. Instead he decided to redefine what “culture” could—and should—mean for the show. He took a risk and declared, “I am culture.”
Karamo believes that culture is so much more than art museums and the ballet—it’s how people feel about themselves and others, how they relate to the world around them, and how their shared labels, burdens, and experiences affect their daily lives in ways both subtle and profound. Seen through this lens, Karamo is culture: his family is Jamaican and Cuban; he was raised in the South in predominantly white neighborhoods and attended an HBCU (Historically Black College/University); he was trained as a social worker and psychotherapist; he overcame personal issues of colorism, physical and emotional abuse, alcohol and drug addiction, and public infamy; he is a proud and dedicated gay single father of two boys, one biological and one adopted. It is by discussing deep subjects like these, he feels, that the makeovers on the show can attain their full, lasting meaning. Styling your hair and getting new clothes and furniture are important, but it’s imperative that you figure out why you haven’t done so in twenty years so you can truly change your life.
In this eye-opening and moving memoir, Karamo reflects on his lifelong education. It comprises every adversity he has overcome, as well as the lessons he has learned along the way. It is only by exploring our difficulties and having the hard conversations—with ourselves and one another—that we are able to adjust our mind-sets, heal emotionally, and move forward to live our best lives.
Karamo shows us the way.
Book Information
Posts
I can't know what the future will hold. What I do know is that we all have the ability to effect change within ourselves and outwardly. We can reach out to one another and find ways to move the needle on success and love. Remember that growth starts at the root. I have to admit, after watching the first season of Queer Eye , I did not understand Karamo's role. I understood it later, but this book explains his role as cultural expert really good. I've rated Tan's memoir [b: Naturally Tan|40174034|Naturally Tan|Tan France|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539878448l/40174034._SX50_.jpg|62323838] one star and Jonathan's [b: Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love|41824023|Over the Top A Raw Journey to Self-Love|Jonathan Van Ness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564864774l/41824023._SX50_.jpg|65274850] two stars. Since I enjoyed Karamo's book more, he even receives three stars. By this rate, Bobby will write a book that's worth four stars! But let's get to the point: Karamo's book is a very quick read, since the font is quite large and there are many pictures. His tone is very chatty, which was quite pleasant to read. However, I did not like the structure of this book at all. He often mentions his kids and says "I will get to that later" and then his chapter on fatherhood is one of the last ones! He could have gotten to the point of that earlier. Instead of a chronological order, he separates such as abuse, drugs, church, fatherhood, Queer Eye, etc. which makes sense! But his constant "we'll talk about this later!"annoyed me a little bit. Apart from that, it was - surprisingly - the best memoir of any Queer Eye member. I liked Karamo's insights but it was lacking some structure.