Do Me Twice: My Life After Islam
Sonsyrea Tate
Strebor Books
ISBN-13: 9781593091224
ISBN-10: 1593091222
Reviewed By Heather Slocumb
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
As
a child, Sonsyrea Tate, affectionately known as "Ray-Ray," has no idea
of the trials and tribulations awaiting her in adulthood - but she sure
gets plenty of indicators: her father's devolution into a drug-dealing
transient, her mother's overbearing animosity, her extended family
members' overall dysfunction...the growing cloud of unhappiness in her
life often leads her to imagine sunnier times and places not too far
away (or so she hopes).
On top of everything else, her beloved
Uncle Hussein, a cherished role model and mentor, is slowly
degenerating into a veritable shell of his former self. His body
ravaged by the grueling onset of Multiple Sclerosis; the protection of
his gentle, loving spirit long gone from Ray-Ray's life. Watching him
suffer, she finds herself racked with questions and doubts about the
benevolent, fair nature of God, and - seeing the righteous so afflicted
- she begins to wonder what the point is of serving Him at all.
As
her life proceeds, she endures abortion, infidelity, a tumultuous
marriage (even multiple instances of marital rape), and eventually the
incarceration of her husband, Ron. With Ron gone, little Ray-Ray
finally has the freedom of time and space to evaluate her life on her
own terms and begin her transformation into the full-grown Sonsyrea.
Enrolling in college, Sonsyrea then sets out on a new path, one that
challenges her previous long-held beliefs and alters her vision of how
her own future should take shape. The journey proves to be difficult,
but one she remains determined to make for none other than the
preservation of her own sanity and peace of mind.
Do Me Twice
is an excellent treatise on the power of self-discovery. Much like
Siddartha, Dust Tracks On A Road, and Jonathan Livingston Seagull
before it, Tate's story of emotional & intellectual awakening does
a commendable job of confronting the misguided teachings that typically
shape our youth with the learned truth and experience of our later
years. Regardless of our personal religious or philosophical leanings,
it cannot be argued that we are raised to follow particular doctrines
designed to guide/control our behavior and bias our thinking processes.
In her narrative, Tate tells of her admirable journey in combating
those very doctrines time and again as they are espoused by family,
friends, and even strangers committed to challenging her newfound
independence. Refusing to return to the "sleepwalking state" of her
past, she bravely defends her right to think for herself - and her life
becomes that much more rewarding for it.
Tate's emigration
from the often confusing rigors of Islam may be a sensitive topic in
the global political climate of our times, but the symbolism of her
spiritual quest is an invaluable lesson for the ages. With a critical,
yet open mind, by her personal example she successfully encourages the
reader to be not afraid in coming to individual conclusions regarding
all matters great and small. Highly recommended.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Sonsyrea Tate (Do Me Twice)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Sonsyrea. We truly appreciate your time, and we're looking forward to learning more about your book.
What in particular prompted you to sit down and pen your life story?
Sonsyrea Tate: A dear friend of mine, Patrice Gaines, convinced me that everyone has a story to tell. She also convinced me that it was important to tell the story of what it was like growing up in the Nation of Islam, since that story had not been recorded. We had Malcolm X's story, but that was about an adult who joined the Nation of Islam. We had no stories on record about children of the Nation of Islam. So, I wrote the book, which became Little X: Growing Up in the Nation of Islam, published by Harper San Francisco in 1997. The final chapter in that first manuscript was cut because the editor said the issues raised in that final chapter could be another book on its own. So, I set out to write that other book, which became Do Me Twice: My Life After Islam, published this year.
AR: How long did it take you to put the narrative together?
ST: I began working on Little X in 1994, and published it in 1997; it took ten more years to finish and publish Do Me Twice.
AR: What's the significance of the title?
ST: Initially, I planned to title the book, "Gibraltar May Crumble: My Life After Islam", then decided against that. I realized many of the readers I hoped to reach would not immediately know what Gibraltar was. Then, remembering that was the title of a song in the 1970s, I wanted to go with something more original. I realized while writing that I felt "Done" twice by Islam – first by the Nation of Islam, then by the Sunnah practices that clashed with my African American experiences. Finally, I realized I could call the shots. I could say how much – how much religion, five prayers a day or one church service a week, more or less; and I could call the shots sexually – a lifetime marriage or a continuation of short-term relationships. So, "Do Me Twice" became a mantra about self-determination.
AR: What do you think was the key development or factor that made you turn away from Islam?
ST: It was a gradual conversion. I didn't decide one day, after one incident that I would no longer be Muslim. It was not as simple as taking off a head wrap and declaring the experience over. Having been raised as a Muslim, certain beliefs and practices became a part of who I was and the process of being "born again" was gradual.
AR: Likewise, what about the agonizing illness of your Uncle Hussein? What kind of impact did that really have on your personal faith?
ST: I was mad as hell at God for a long time because of that illness. I also was mad as hell at religious leaders who claimed you could take two aspirin and call me in the morning. I thought I'd been deceived into believing that if you – prayed five times a day or went to church every Sunday you could heaven right here on earth. Life turned out to be not so simplistic.
AR: Surviving marital rape is a part of your life that you share in the book. In light of that experience, do you speak to domestic violence survivors or school-aged young women about your personal story of perseverance?
ST: I'm looking forward to doing that. Ironically, while experiencing the domestic violence and even while writing about the episodes, I did not see myself as a victim. Did not fully realize that's what that was. I had chalked it up to just bad decisions and bad situations. But putting it in proper context is helpful because then I can help others through it more quickly and help them identify resources they need.
AR: You do an excellent job of providing a fair, objective critique of the Islamic faith in the book, but have you gotten any criticism from Muslims who thought you were attacking the faith? If so, what's the basis of their protests?
ST: Most Muslims have judged the book by its cover and condemned it as an attack. But the Muslims I've talked to who read the books loved them. I was surprised by some of their support.
AR: What's the overall message you want people to take from the book?
ST: I'd like people to know that after challenges and tragedies life gets better. After the confusion and anger and resentment there's love and joy and gratitude.
AR: You've already won numerous awards and garnered high accolades foryour writings. What comes next for you?
ST: I have another story demanding my time and attention. I had to take the time to write these two books because I could hardly think about anything else. Some authors turn out books each year and make a good living between writing and speaking. That didn't happen for me, but anything's possible with my next book.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
ST: Yes, I'd like readers to buy this book and buy an extra copy as a gift for a friend. I'd like them to get it first at the library if they're not yet convinced it's worth their while. I'm absolutely sure after reading it; they'll relate and want a copy for themselves and their friends.
AR: Thanks again, Sonsyrea, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!