Title: Eyes of pearl
Description: Eyes of Pearl is the compelling political perzine written by Leah Wallace, the sister of a suicidal heroin addict. The zine addresses issues of family vs. "chosen family," drug abuse, critiques of radical discussions of mental illness and suicide, and privilege and rehab. While maintaining a humorous, compassionate tone, Leah describes her sister's suicidal behavior as abuse against the rest of her family, and defends her own choice to stand by her mother against the advice of self-identified feminists who tell her to escape the situation or abandon her family. Leah criticizes the romanticizing of suicide in radical communities as well as the assumption that chosen families are superior to biological ones, and also examines the racism and classism enacted by the differences between court-appointed rehab (generally occupied by those who can't afford otherwise), and "upper-middle class rehab."
Subjects: Mental illness, Personal narratives, Drug addicts, Sisters, Suicidal behavior
Places: United States