Khadijah Queen’s memoir, *Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: A Veterans Memoir*, details her life as she enlists in the U.S. Navy in pursuit of a better future. The book is included on the Library of Michigan's notable books list for this year. Queen joins the military with the intention of completing her education, a goal temporarily set aside when her family moved from Los Angeles to the Detroit suburb of Inkster, Michigan, to support her sister, who was struggling with drug addiction and unable to care for her children.
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"We basically uprooted our whole lives for the kids, and I had to leave college and everything,” Queen said, reflecting on the trauma of the transition. Throughout her service, Queen faced racism and sexism but remained dedicated to her education upon leaving the Navy. She often relied on writing, reading, and her memories of growing up in 1980s Los Angeles to navigate challenging experiences.
In the chapter “P-Days,” she recounts losing her security clearance during boot camp after expressing her beliefs against harming innocent people. This encounter with censorship significantly impacted her writing. "I'm from people who are outspoken, who have endured quite a lot, who have helped to build this country, and we deserve to have a say,” Queen stated. She emphasizes that sharing diverse stories is essential for empowerment and understanding.
Queen expressed her desire for readers to recognize the complexity of human experiences. "I would love for people to take away the ability to understand the capaciousness of the human experience and not limit themselves to what we're told is the singular definition of a thing or an experience or a population," she noted.
During an interview, she explained that her initial reluctance to write the memoir changed when her mentor suggested focusing on her Navy experience. Queen reflected on her adjustment from California to Michigan, describing the move as traumatic and highlighting her longing for sunlight and familiarity.
She aims for her memoir to inspire readers to embrace the richness of personal and collective histories, particularly those of women in the Navy, helping to broaden the narrative around what it means to serve. Khadijah Queen’s work underscores the importance of sharing authentic stories and understanding one's role within a larger historical context.