Capó Crucet's essay collection is a fascinating study of social politics during the 2016 Trump presidency. Though she travels back and forth through time periods in her life, they always end up at the same spot: the racial tensions and socio-political climate caused by the Trump administration. The core of the collection is Capó Crucet's analysis of race from the perspective of someone who has been placed on every level of the spectrum: treated as the racial majority, passing for another racial majority, and being a part of a racial minority. Capó Crucet's experiences of each of these shapes her analysis of the dangers that arise with a noted xenophobic racist in office.
Where the magic really arises in the collection is how Capó Crucet is able to find the metaphors for these complex, unpleasant issues within her own personal experiences. From the othering found as a first-gen student at an Ivy League institution to misconceptions (or inexperience) about white funerals and weddings, the center of each piece remains Capó Crucet as all the other themes seem to fall into place around her.
Looking back on this collection, it seems like a time capsule for an era no one (should) want to return to but continues lurking around the corner.
