Souljah’s mentality in TCWE is community over the individual. A group where she talks about alternatives to the “fast life” and overall being a more bonded community. Sometimes, Black girls and boys have to pick from outrageous circumstances that no one would ever want to have to make.įor example, Souljah led a youth girls group in her home. Sister Souljah fails to realize that not everyone has the privilege to make better choices in the moment. She basically affirmed that the best way was her way or no way with her preachiness.

Hot Take #2: Winter’s Lifestyle Disgusts Sister Souljah Rhetoric that is neither practical nor relatable. She starts her message to these with “I know you all used to be pretty.” Excuse me, Souljah? She says a lot of fluff and everything she says in TCWE is just like that. Winter even mentions that to her, but Souljah doubles back by saying she was working with “professionals.” (the doctors) Alright. Even though she just raised money for HIV patients at a benefit a few weeks prior. She was grossed out that she had to even be in the same room as women with “it”. For example, she freaked out before an public speaking event with HIV-positive women at a women’s prison. Sister Souljah came off as hyperjudgemental. Souljah made herself and her way of living the standard. She preached at Winter, as well as the audience and the youth girls group.

Sister Souljah’s literary self could make issues sound impactful, but all she did – literally – was talk. After a second read, though, I realized how full of shit this fictionalized Sister Souljah was. I believed she should’ve just listened to Souljah’s advice and guidance. The first time I read this, I thought that Winter was a brick. These are my hot takes I believe TCWE wasn’t the cautionary tale for young Black people that Sister Souljah intended it to be.

I noticed some very problematic themes and storylines reading it a second time after a few years had passed. I got some new insights about this book that I never even noticed the first time around. So when its sequel, Life After Death, came out back in March, I knew I’d have to refresh by re-reading The Coldest Winter Ever. I was always intrigued about what would happen after Winter’s mandatory 15-year sentence. Regardless of our backgrounds, there is a crossroads going from a girl to becoming a woman. She showcased how we all thought about things when we were seventeen. Winter was raw, unapologetic, and she represented many young girls in a fundamental way. When I first read The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah many years ago, I was blown away by Winter Santiaga’s story. The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah wasn’t the cautionary tale it was meant to be

The coldest winter ever part 2