More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth6/19/2019  When discussing a memoir, it is important to note the author. Who are they? Why do we care about their story? Well, in the case of More Than Enough the world is starting to know this young author's name in magnitudes: Elaine Welteroth. She, along with her now infamous name, went viral in 2017 when she became the editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue – being the youngest and simultaneously the first black person to do so. She also worked with other popular magazines such as Ebony and Glamour. She has written for the spin off sitcom Grown-ish and serves as a judge on the reboot of Project Runway. As a new judge, she adds a breath of life that the show has never had before. Her youth and personal brand adds a freshness that was severely needed. Welteroth is a proud biracial woman and daughter, along with being an award-winning journalist and author. More Than Enough serves as a guide to how she got where she is, leading us to follow in her trailblazing footprints.
The book starts with a foreword from Auntie Ava – a term Welteroth uses in the book along with millions of other young black and brown people but somehow has risen in discussion as a problematic title. Having the title be adopted by so many admiring young people is simply a term of respect – nothing hinting at the actual age, but I will respect DuVernay’s request. Our Good Sis Ava (a term that’s lengthy, lacking alliteration, but still just as respectful) opens with the quote “Nothing bad ever happens to me. It’s all to learn and grow”. She briefly connects her perspective of her own live to that of Auntie Elaine’s: “Her journey is a testament to shaping what we experience for our own good. For crafting positivity as our path. For knowing that the bad is our choice and the good is our choice. And to work to choose the good. Every day. In every way.” Every chapter opens with a quote from iconic people of color, powerful woman, or my favorite group – the intersection of both. The chapter also ends with a quote, which typically serves as that hard-hitting and resonating excerpt of the section. The quote is always in big bold font, taking up much of the page. What’s genius about this, is that is exactly what magazines sometimes do. They’ll have the actual article and will sprinkle in reiterations of great quotes from the subject or interviewee in bigger font. It really makes us hit home what was most important from the chapter while the intro quote put us in the mindset for it. Also – the audiobook. I won’t discuss this too deeply because, it’s just a verbal replication of the book. However, there are two important things to note. First, Welteroth’s voice is impeccably soothing and makes it clear that this is herstory. No one else’s’. She’s connected to it in inexplicable ways. Second, there are cameos by her parents that – and get this – voice their own quotes! It gets us deeply rooted into her life. We are emerged in her own experiences. Great choice. Auntie Elaine’s writing is, simply put, eloquent. And no, I don’t mean this in the white-person-meets-an-educated-black-person’s version of eloquent. Her word choice and explanations are beautifully presented. It is a clear balance and flawless switch between informative explanations and griot level story telling. Here are just a few of my favorites:
OVERALL RATING Overall, I give this Bookoo Stars: 9 out of 10. My only negative critic would be the lack of a linear plot. Now, this is more of a preference hence my first time discussing it. People like that version of storytelling and others do not. Too many times we are jumping from childhood, to college, to adolescence. Too many hints of “we’ll get to that later”. But, overall – minus my slight preference of lineation – it is a great read. Highly recommend.
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