“In Authentic, Jodi-Ann Burey reads most of us so-called free laborers in this nation for filth. And it is the most necessary and narratively precise reading of my life. Nothing about us or the places we give our labor to can be the same after this dynamic book.”—Kiese Laymon, author of Heavy and How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America

“In Authentic, Jodi-Ann Burey explains why it is so hard to survive institutions and gives us many insights in how we can do so. She shows how institutions use authenticity rather like diversity, as a way of appearing to change without changing, so that workers, especially people of color, end up having to do even more. Speaking directly to her readers in a voice that is both distinctive and deepened by dialogue with others, this book calls for us to take time, to hold ourselves back from institutions so we have more of ourselves to give to our projects and our people. I encourage everyone committed to social justice to take the time to read this book slowly and carefully: it is just what we need right now, to find the courage to keep pushing for change, knowing we are not alone.”—Sara Ahmed, scholar and author of Living a Feminist Life

“In both poetic and straightforward prose, bolstered by years of experience and research, Jodi-Ann bares her mind, heart, and body to us in Authentic, vulnerably and fearlessly. This book gathers some of those stories I have long been hearing about—from my own life, from my family and friends, from my peers and readers—about how much we struggle and sever our real selves to fit into institutions that are not built for us. It flooded me with memories of what many of us have survived and had me shaking my head at what we’ve forgotten . . . all while healing and arming me with even more audacity and purpose.”—Xochitl Gonzalez, New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte Laughs Last