Category Book Reviews

The Black Experience in America has not been easy! As a result of the civil unrest that we are currently facing, I decided to pull together some books to shed light on this topic. These protests largely brought on by the murder of an unarmed Black man in Minneapolis over a week ago.

I have to say that as a member of the African-American community, it’s been a time of great mourning, anguish, and rage at yet another such incident spanning less than a two month period. In light of these troubling issues surrounding race and human rights here in the US, I feel it’s necessary to provide a helpful collection of books and resources to educate others about the Black experience in America as well as the importance of diversity education in our society.

*Please note that this post may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you*

A Brief Recap of the incident that led up to this

The Black Experience in America has historically not been an easy one. George Floyd is just one of the thousands of black men, women, and children murdered by racist forces within this nation, over the years. From state-sanctioned killings, alleged lynchings in the South, etc, it’s safe to say that African-Americans are tired. What’s playing out in the media is simply the Black Community crying out, enough! Joined in solidarity by nations throughout the world who have witnessed this latest atrocity in horrific detail, millions of Americans and countless many others world over have risen up in civil disobedience. The Black Experience is full of these sorts of accounts and people are done!

Things are due for a change!

The bill is finally “coming due” on America’s history of systemic racism and discrimination. It’s 2020 and we’re still facing this century’s first global pandemic and this too happens! We are all shocked and dismayed at the killing of yet another unarmed African-American at the hands of “law enforcement”. Yet again, seemingly allowed to take lives both recklessly and without consequence!

Why it’s necessary to discuss the Black Experience right now

To say the stress and uncertainty of the COVID 19 pandemic played a role is an understatement. Without going too far into the woods, most African-Americans will tell you they saw this coming. The Black experience in the United States has been one of slavery, “Jim crowism”, segregation, racial profiling, and outright discrimination. While most Caucasians prior to the killing of George Floyd would say much has changed since America’s past racial atrocities, few can say that with a straight face today.

When we take the time to learn about each and embrace diversity, we learn about ourselves and our shared humanity. Each group has its bad actors but one thing we can all agree on, we are all human and deserve dignity. No one group is better than the other, and COVID 19 has proven to us, that we are all in this together.

Some questions being asked right now:

Many people have asked, how have we come to this? Again, most of us who share in this Black experience will say, why did it take so long to get to this point? To the place where millions of people and hundreds of nations around the world are finally taking action on years of trauma inflicted by a government on a segment of its population? It’s safe to assume that many who are reading this post right now, are feeling uncomfortable and even offended.  The good news is that if this makes you uncomfortable, it means your mythological bubble of an “equal” America has been shaken up!

The uncomfortable truth America needs to face regarding the Black Experience

So what’s the solution? Here’s the thing,  REAL CHANGE is rarely if ever, about being comfortable. Until America owns the fact that it was built on the backs of Black Africans brought to these shores, brutalized, raped, and sold like chattel, very little will change. Let’s not forget the hundreds of Native Americans who have also been disenfranchised and marginalized with a history that is equally as horrifying as that of the Black experience to date.

This is not to say that things have not improved from those nightmarish days of slavery. However, these same destructive structures that existed then, have yet to be dismantled and restitution made. Needless to say, that is something that needs deeper discussion! We can all agree there’s work that needs to be done to address these grievances and a good place to start is to learn about the black experience in America. Through our literature and discourse, others can share our experiences and listen to our stories and so much more.

Black America’s anger and hurt are justified

America is long overdue when it comes to doing right by the descendants of those stolen from their homelands to be slaves in a foreign land. Nearly 50 years after his assassination,  Malcolm X’s words ring even louder in 2020. Back then and even now, White America has struggled with these issues.  Malcolm X’s words are true when he said: White Americans to cling to the myth that ” American society is essentially hospitable to fair play and steady growth toward a middle-class Utopia embodying racial harmony. But unfortunately, this is a fantasy of self-deception and comfortable vanity.”

My final thoughts and recommendations

I could say so much more about the gut-wrenching emotional roller coaster I’ve been on; the praying and yes, my rage that MY PEOPLE are still fighting for equality and justice in 2020. I take little solace in the fact that in other parts of the world, Europe included, POC continue to fight similar battles for equality and basic human rights.

The Coronavirus has stripped the United States bare of its masks, platitudes, and wilful blindness. I remain hopeful that the US will seize this opportunity for meaningful change during this dark time in our history. Change is inevitable and if we are to grow and evolve into the best version of ourselves, we must do the work both individually and collectively!

Time for a re-set?

This is a re-set; a time for meaningful progress and creating pathways towards healing the trauma suffered by those who have been discriminated against and marginalized in our society. It’s truly time to tear down all of the racist and xenophobic structures that have brought this nation to its knees. Healing begins with acknowledgment, structural change, and yes, restitution.

With that in mind here is a list to help you begin to learn more about the Black Experience

1. The Fire Nex Time, by James Baldwin
2. Freedom Is a Constant Struggle, by Angela Y. Davis
3. White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism, by Robin Diangelo
4. Women Race & Class, Angela Y. Davis
5. Between The World And Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
6. Fierce Angels, by Sheri Parks

A few things before you go

I’m always adding to my collection of recommended must-reads so stay stunned for more right here!

To further help you along, here’s a link to my ever-expanding virtual bookshelf where you can grab your copy of all or some of these insightful books right here!

Expanding our mental horizons makes us all better humans and at the end of the day, we should all strive toward that goal. While you’re at it, don’t forget to read my must-have women’s book reviews for 2020 right here!

Don’t be a stranger! You can feel free to connect with me on IG  right here  tonyetariahhealth

You can also join my youtube community right here and don’t forget to like and subscribe!

About the author

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog, helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her approach is “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies,” meaning she helps each person in a unique way helps them transform their lives from the inside out. She’s not about helping you lose weight quickly. She’s about changing your habits and helping you fall in love with yourself so you can live a life with pure joy.

Books worth reading

This Bridge Called My Back is one book that I just could not put down. Last summer I spent a large block of time, focusing on reading and personal development. To say it was a journey would be an understatement. Some of the power of this book has to do with the fact that it not only looks at women’s personal development and empowerment, but it’s also about the generational struggle that women of color grapple with on a daily basis. While my list consists of books like Brené Brown’s Rising Strong, to other powerful collection of stories such as those found in Unleashing Her Wild, This Bridge Called My Back, continues to draw me back into its pages.

Why this book resonates with me

This Bridge Called My Back,  speaks of ”everything” mainstream /traditional feminism does not. It is all-inclusive. It is raw, powerful and at the same time, nourishing. This book lays out the pivotal differences between mainstream/ traditional feminism, a space occupied by seemingly ”woke” white women who grudgingly share the stage and fruits of bloody activism with WOC (women of color).

For the personal growth babes out there

A book that fearlessly delves into the ugly foundations of this nation’s past, This Bridge Called My Back talks about a very different form of feminist philosophy and discourse. This ”feminism” (Womanism) is a very different beast. Through the various essays and stories retold by the collection of authors, it’s very clear that the ”feminism” embraced by black women, women of the diaspora, and the broader collective of WOC is inclusive of transgender women, ALL women, as well as the marginalized (this inclusivity of others that have been marginalized is a demonstrated characteristic of the “nurturing” aspect of womanism), at the intersection of racial, social, economic and environmental equality justice.

A little insight on black feminism

Womanism/ black feminism embraces and tries to lift all voices of women and the marginalized at the intersection of race, gender, and equality. In short, there’s no room for ”privileged” feminism also known as “white women ”wokeness” masquerading as feminist inclusivity and gender equity. After all, it’s that same “feminism” that appropriated the #MeToo Movement started by a black woman, and subsequently erased her and the voices she represented from the political stage and table of discourse. But, we’ll revisit that story at a later date.

My Final Thoughts: This Bridge Called My Back

I think this is arguably more relevant today or at the very least, as relevant now as it was when it was originally written and published more than 30 years ago. It speaks to the ugly truth about the founding of both this nation and society, that many in places of power are unwilling and or are afraid to shine a light on. If you truly want to be ”schooled” on what it means to be a ”wild woman”, a woman-who-runs-with-the-wolves, a bad-ass-bitch, etc, then THIS is one of the books that will take you there! For a complete ”edu-ma-cation” you’ll have to accompany this fiery book with Angela Y. Davis’ “Women, Race & Class” but that’s only if you can handle that level of truth!

Some take-aways

Having said that, I challenge every woman across the globe, to open her mind, reach across the empty and war-torn spaces to create change. Be that change WE truly want to see in this world. To make it a place where equality, social justice, and basic human dignity is non-negotiable and where ALL are both worthy and enough!

My other reviews

If you haven’t checked it out already, don’t forget to read my review on Unleashing Her Wild, another awesome read for women everywhere. Also, head over to my virtual bookshelf at amazon.com for more fiery female-focused reads right here!

I’ve also begun to slowly add to my list of favorite lifestyle must-haves, etc on amazon so definitely head over to amazon.com to see what I’m adding to my stash and feel free to offer your own suggestions and favorites to the mix. It’s time to get “whole” healthy and undomesticated!! 

About The Author

Tonye Tariah, Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads Blog. She helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits so they can get fit, healthy, and live free. Her belief is that “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies”. This means that she helps each woman in a way that is unique to each woman. By doing this, she’s better able to help them transform their lives from the inside out. Her ultimate goal is to help women become healthy and empowered through the transformative self-care journey!

One of the most striking features about “Unleashing Her Wild”  is the level of discomfort and raw truth you experience within these pages. Each story draws you into experience life-changing events for each of these women. I cried and I got angry.  In some instances, I was triggered by some aspects of this book. 

A book every woman needs to read!

We, women, know, and yet many of us remain silent. “Unleashing Her Wild” is both a challenge and manifesto for women everywhere, to embrace their true selves. It is a call to own our imperfections, and reclaim our feminine power. While it may not have all the answers, “Unleashing Her Wild” asks us to look inside and make the choice. Are we going to be brave? Are we going to be brave enough to not allow ourselves to be forced into conformity and caricatures of who we are as both women and humans?

Who we are as  women when we “Unleash” our inner wild woman

We are human but our power is in embracing our own feminine energies. In it, we recognize that while it is different than the masculine force, it is in no way inferior or lacking in its ability to effect change.  It’s feminine, it’s beautiful, and it’s divine!  Unleashing Her Wild is a great collection of stories told by women walking separate and unique paths who are sharing their collective ancestral wisdom and experiences with us all.

You can snag your copy from my virtual bookshelf right here!

A Closer Look at Unleashing Her Wild

I won’t give away the goodies here, but I will highlight just a few of those stories that resonated with me on a deeper level. In the first chapter entitled, “The Remembering” (by Donna Tack), I  was deeply moved.  Her story took me through an almost “shamanistic” journey in which I saw her move from the darkest places of her being to one of revelation, awakening, and empowerment. “Remembering” resonated with me because I found similarities between her story and my own. It is something I know to be true for a majority of the stories in this collection.

Next must-read

In “We Always Get A Choice” (by Michelle Arnold), her story was equally poignant and raw. I found myself near tears as I read the struggle in her journey; my heart growing tight with both pain and hope as I connected with her experiences. All of these women candidly share their vulnerabilities, sharp edges, and victories along the path to true awakening and empowerment-oh, those “choices” she had to make!

Another captivating chapter in Unleashing Her Wild is called “Color Outside The Line” (by Kiki Carr). In it, she shares her struggle to break free from and victory over socio-cultural perceptions (aka, other people’s expectations, etc), self-worth, and discovering what it means to truly be “wild”, authentic and grounded in her own power.

A powerful and evocative retelling of life experience as a pathway to growth

These are just a few of the life-changing stories within the pages of this book, but all have the power to change and transform each of our lives in a meaningful way. All in all, there are a total of ten chapters with each story weaving and connecting with one another under the umbrella of a single unifying theme. This divine feminine energy cocreates with us. With it we are tapping into our intuition, our experiences, and ultimately empowering us to rise into who we were always meant to be.

My Final Thoughts on “Unleashing Her Wild”

Each woman’s story calls us to be brave, to break the silence, and throw off the shackles of “other people’s expectations”. We also need to be our authentic selves without fear. Ultimately, what I gained here was a sense of sisterhood. I left with hope and a birds-eye-view of what happens when you embark on a journey of healing and empowerment.  Needless to say, there is power and freedom in self-discovery when added to a growth mindset!

I talk about these topics and more, in two of my articles at HuffPost’s Thrive Global online magazine right here and here! Also, share your thoughts on women’s self-care in the context of self-worth in an earlier post this year.

About the author

Tonye Tariah is a Holistic Health Strategist and founder of Freedom at The Crossroads. She helps free women from inaction and unhealthy habits. She believes that “the cookie-cutter method only works for cookies”. Meaning, she helps each woman in a  way that is unique to her needs. By doing this, she’s better able to help them transform their lives from the inside out. It’s not about helping you lose weight quickly. Her process is about changing habits and helping women fall in love with themselves so they can be both healthy and fulfilled!