Are You Borg Now?

You gotta find reflections of yourself however you can to survive this country writes Said Shaiye in this innovative AF (Afrofuturist) memoir. Are You Borg Now cyphers with trauma through a poetics of refusal via hard and beautiful language. Finding vigor in Islam and mirrors in Star Trek: Voyager Shaiye shifts achingly between memory and improvisation. This is a serious debut.-Douglas Kearney Author of ShoAre You Borg now? heralds the arrival of a bold and important voice. Shaiyes deeply personal self-interrogation blurs genre and form to examine how intersections between culture race class gender and nationality shape ones identity. Vulnerable affecting humorous and haunting so often I clutched my chest and nodded in agreement to Shaiyes keen observations. The reflections collected in these pages will benefit all who read this book.-Donald Quist Author of Harbors & For Other GhostsWhy should one write? This is the question that pervades Said Shaiyes experimental approach to memoir in Are You Borg Now? This book offers many different kinds of answers to such a question answers that involve facing the effects of trauma and violence with courage honesty and a willingness to risk vulnerability. One reason to write is to call forth a voice in solidarity with others who suffer. Shaiye is a writer who transforms the pain of alienation into beautifully lyric writing and from that writing springs a profound faith that one is never really alone.-Kathryn Nuernberger author of The Witch of EyeThis book cut me as it wowed me. Shaiye cant help it. He invites you in. But he doesnt want you there. He doesnt want to be there himself but needs to be. On every page I found a reflection of an America that sickens and alienates with its easy fast food and easy pop culture. But then Shaiye recognizes quality too. And you recognize yourself in it even as you gain Shaiyes very particular viewpoint. Every page you find Shaiye struggling to be okay to be good to both honor his culture and struggle to move it forward towards health. This is an honorable project. This is a courageous project. This is the Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man.-Geoff Herbach Award Winning Author of Hooper & Stupid Fast