Morgan Jerkins, Princeton Class of 2014, is an American born author currently based in New York City. With a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Princeton University and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing and Literature from the Bennington Writing Seminars, Jerkins stands as an up-and-comer in both the world of literature and activism.

Shifting from her undergraduate scholarly work, specialized in late nineteenth century Russian literature and post-war Japanese literature, her New York Times Bestselling novel, This Will Be My Undoing focuses on the distinctions of Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America. Over 10 essays, Jerkins writes about milestones in her life, such as her first brushes with racism, the politics of black women’s hair, traveling abroad while black, and the importance of former First Lady Michelle Obama in shaping her view of strong Black women in the media. She describes her undergraduate years at Princeton with a wistful fondness, journaling the experiences that shaped her sensibility as a writer and prepared her for the challenges of young adulthood in New York City. In her novel Jerkins interweaves her incisive commentary on pop culture, feminism, black history, misogyny, and racism with her own experiences to confront the very real challenges of being a black woman today.

As per the first essay in This Will Be My Undoing, Jerkins’ complicated relationship with race began at the young age of 10-years-old. In the essay, titled “Monkeys Like You,” Jerkins describes the cheerleading tryouts she attended as a pre-teen. Upon arrival, she committed to the strenuous routines and forced herself to smile at older White judges, who seemed to be amused by her enthusiasm. However, despite her committed efforts, she did not make the team. She was forced to confront her feelings about the giddy reception awaiting young white women who “simply have to show up and try.” On the one hand, she disclosed her desire to be a white cheerleader with straight hair and a svelte body, in order to feel an increased sense of acceptance and appreciation, yet on the other was filled with both anger and rage as a ‘friend’ told her that she didn’t make the squad because they “didn’t accept monkeys like [her].” While a moment she would analyze for years, this occasion stands as an experience that would not only shape Jerkins’ perception of herself but also the ways in which that perception was shaped by others.

Flashing forward to her high school years, Jerkins’ relationship with other Black women was further complicated. Upon relocating from Egg Harbor Township to Williamston in New Jersey, Jerkins encountered two Black girls who decided to make her the subject of relentless bullying. While addressing the identity of her bullies, and the differences between them and herself, Jerkins attributes this period of bullying towards the “violence [black women] hurl at one another.” While a victim of it, in “Monkeys Like You” Jerkins is also able to acknowledge her role in shaping the Black girl experience. She describes one of her bullies as brash, cocky, and loud while portraying herself as quiet and bookish. In other words, Jerkins viewed herself as better than her bully, whether as a result of her lighter skin tone, education, or general well-mannered behavior. However, as an adult publishing these experiences, Jerkins is able to acknowledge that these things do not warrant the kind of arrogance and anti-blackness she felt towards her bullies in high school.

In the last stage before pursuing the life of an author, Jerkins’ period as an undergraduate student was filled with personal growth in terms of academics, culture, and politics. As a comparative literature student, she was reminded that everything has two sides, there is no objective truth, a realization that would shape her ability to write a novel that tackles intersectionality from its many perspectives. Further, in meeting new people, with many different viewpoints, Jerkins’ learned about misogynoir, the hatred of black women, as well as the ever-flowing gender binary. Finally, knowing the historical precedent of African-Americans who had navigated the ultra-exclusive place that the University holds in society motivated her to succeed and to hold herself accountable for her actions. Being almost painfully conscious of the privilege that attending the University confers on its students Jerkins’ felt an obligation to incorporate into her work how educational privilege works.

That, the consciousness of her role as an author, is what makes Morgan Jerkins and individual worthy of further exploring. Rather than presenting her story as the story of Black women and Black experiences, Jerkins is able to acknowledge that everything she explores in This Will Be My Undoing is unique to her.  As she states, “Black women are extremely complex. Oftentimes we may be messy, we may be contradictory. With this book, I hope that people will read about one black woman’s reality and not think that she speaks for all black women because I am not the arbiter of truth, I cannot monopolize black womanhood, much less blackness.” Though adding to the conversation, as she is aware, Jerkins is only a puzzle piece in the large Black narrative.