This One Summer by the Tamaki cousins

Reading This One Summer I was reminded a lot of my own pre-teen years. It was super relatable to me. I think that’s a really confusing time in everyone’s life and the Tamaki’s did a great job portraying that with Rose’s erratic behavior and tumultuous emotions. I found it interesting that although this was a comic about women, written by women, the main character was so sexist at times. But it actually made a lot of sense. I think a lot of women go through a time where they are sexist because of some sort of weird mix of self-hatred and what society tells us is wrong with women. It’s easy to deny your own identity as a woman in hopes to be “different” from women you perceive as sluts or women you perceive as stupid. Like how Rose sees the older girls as sluts and the women in the movie as idiot girls who only make it harder for the men. I think her hatred towards them was bred from society’s stereotype of “slutty” or “stupid” women and her own insecurity in not wanting to be seen as that. She really rejects her gender throughout the comic and projects her hate and insecurity on those around her. You can tell she doesn’t really see Jenny as a person but rather just as a slut in her way. Obviously, this behavior also had a lot to do with her difficult family situation, and I don’t think Rose is a bad character; in fact, I think this flaw is what makes her so believable and relatable. I know I’ve gone through times when I’ve been judgmental of other women because of my own insecurity and fear of being seen as less than human. Being seen as a sexual prop or as incompetent is a huge fear of mine, and I’m sure many other women too. It was cathartic to read about Rose’s evolution through that time and past it. By the end of summer, you can see she’s changed and is now accepting and caring for herself and the women around her. It was refreshing to read.