April Ryan

In full disclosure, I'm not the audience this book was aimed at. I'm not Black, not a woman and definitely not young. I debated how to look at this book. The author is a journalist and often when a journalist writes a book we get a deeper exploration of an event, an issue or a person in the news and usually we learn something new, newsworthy from the book. Something they've not published elsewhere. Making news is not what this book is about. While race is a central aspect of this book, it's not a book about race. As I wondered what is this really about, the subtitle stood out. This book is about a category of people. It's less about them and rather in support of them. It is as it claims, an anthem.

I looked up the definition of anthem - a rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause. This book is not a song but the rest of the definition fits, it's the celebration of a particular group and their cause. It clearly sees Black women in a very positive light. And there's very little disagreement from me on that aspect. Black women represent a distinctly admirable group who desire more than they've ever gotten. That's crystal clear. I wish the author had stayed on celebrating the positive.

Unfortunately the author chooses to make the case that the positive is even more positive because of all the negative these women have endured. Again it's true they have endured things they should not have. But this is unfortunately what interferes with the basic anthem like message. We are reminded over and over, and over and over, of what these women have endured. Their superpower, their sisterhood, has been their key to overcoming all of that. I wish the author had realized how the negative can get in the way of the positive message she really want to send.… (plus d'informations)

Black Women Will Save the World, by April Ryan, illustrates the many ways Black women have done, and still do, a disproportionate amount of the heavy lifting in our society.

This book serves, I think, several purposes. First, I believe, is that it gives acknowledgement to the many women who don't receive the recognition they deserve, that they have earned. I also see it as a history (and current events) course for those of us who haven't realized just how valuable the contributions have been. Those of us who fall into that category, white males in particular, can try to excuse our ignorance but that is counterproductive. Learn now and move forward with that knowledge.

Reading this came at a very good time for me. I was rereading (actually I was listening to the audiobook) of bell hooks' Sisters of the Yam. These two books work so well together. Self-care as an important part of making change in the world. If you haven't read Sisters, it is an excellent book to accompany this. They aren't really covering the same territory, yet they are. The micro and macro aggressions that can grind one down. Ryan talks about having to not show vulnerability (to certain people and in certain circumstances) and hooks speaks to the same mindset.

I would recommend this to Black women who often aren't seen or acknowledged no matter how much they contribute. This is also for everyone else, we need to understand how things we do can, intentionally or not, erase these strong women. We can help not only by acknowledging but also by helping to make positive change.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (plus d'informations)