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A review by glassesgirl79
Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America by Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Charisse Jones
5.0
This book is insightful, reassuring and tragic all at
The same time. Although I pride myself on being a quick reader, as I read each chapter, I needed time to disengage from the book and ruminate on what I read.
The book consists of ten chapters with perspectives from 333 African American women who participated in 2000’s African American Women Voices Project. While the woman who participate in this project come from diverse backgrounds, sexuality, religions, and occupations, all have experienced the same discomfort that comes with “shifting,” or changing who they are to make others around them (often caucasians) more comfortable.
As I read this book which covers various topics
Including the roots of shifting, the many ways in which African American women shift personalities and demeanor not just at work but also at home, and black women and beauty, I found myself saddened to discover that I’m not alone in negative experiences I’ve encountered based on a being an African American woman but also encouraged by how my unknown sisters have developed various coping mechanisms (some successful and some not successful). I personally cope with stressors faced by having to shift daily within different environments by exercising on a daily basis and journaling.
While this book by no means reflects the lived life experiences of all African American women, the authors do an excellent job in shining a light on shared trauma, sexism and marginalization as well as the shared desire to be heard and understood.
The same time. Although I pride myself on being a quick reader, as I read each chapter, I needed time to disengage from the book and ruminate on what I read.
The book consists of ten chapters with perspectives from 333 African American women who participated in 2000’s African American Women Voices Project. While the woman who participate in this project come from diverse backgrounds, sexuality, religions, and occupations, all have experienced the same discomfort that comes with “shifting,” or changing who they are to make others around them (often caucasians) more comfortable.
As I read this book which covers various topics
Including the roots of shifting, the many ways in which African American women shift personalities and demeanor not just at work but also at home, and black women and beauty, I found myself saddened to discover that I’m not alone in negative experiences I’ve encountered based on a being an African American woman but also encouraged by how my unknown sisters have developed various coping mechanisms (some successful and some not successful). I personally cope with stressors faced by having to shift daily within different environments by exercising on a daily basis and journaling.
While this book by no means reflects the lived life experiences of all African American women, the authors do an excellent job in shining a light on shared trauma, sexism and marginalization as well as the shared desire to be heard and understood.