“Wash Day Diaries” is a graphic novel chronicling the lives of four Black women living in the Bronx. The novel, originally released as a mini-comic, tells the story of each friend through their “wash day,” a hair-care ritual during which all outside responsibilities are halted.
The novel is an intimate slice of life. “Wash Day Diaries” hones in on the individual triumphs and struggles of each woman as they navigate the convolutedness of young adulthood — touching candidly on POC and LGBTQ+ experiences, mental health, and toxic masculinity.
The graphic novel celebrates the everyday life of black women and in shining light on the “mundane,” reveals their interconnectedness.
Illustrated by Jamaican artist Robyn Smith, Jamila Rowser’s “Wash Day Diaries” is a deeply intimate examination of mutual understanding, empathy, and forgiveness.
“All kinds of Black stories are important, not just the ones about trauma and hardship,” Rowser said on Friday’s edition of “Closer Look.”
