Summary Of Brittney Griner's In My Skin

The memoir, In My Skin, by Brittney Griner, was very inspirational and raw of the struggles she had surrounding her sexuality throughout different times in her life. I really enjoyed reading this book since I love basketball, however there were times I stopped to think how ridiculous and closed minded people could be. Here was this young girl just trying to figure herself out emotionally and physically while people made fun and name calling her. Her own father had turned his back during the time she needed him most. The college she chose to lead to various championships and wins didn’t stand behind her. She was constantly reminded by her coach, “Big Girl, you just have to keep your business behind closed doors” (Griner:112). This phrase mentioned a few times reminded me on what we learned about institutionalization
They denied her individualism in order to protect the school's reputation. She was the face of the program and nothing could interfere with that or future recruitment into the program. She was singles out like other kids who chose to set up group meetings in secret. They were made to feel different when in all actuality they were like an other human being. Towards the end of the book, I was disappointed to read the Coach Kim didn’t realize or want to admit how Brittney was censored and made to feel different. I don’t think she went there for an apology but rather understanding and to move forward. However, Coach Kim felt, “ I needed to set things right at Baylor because I had created tension in the administration” (Griner:213) which I found rather shocking. I think anyone who had given up so much of who they were to please an institution would be offended. There was nothing she needed to set right because she followed their rules. Throughout all of it she was able to push through the barriers and become one of the Best Women’s National Basketball Player