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371st out of 2,086 books
—
3,720 voters
Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America
Based on the African American Women's Voices Project, Shifting reveals that a large number of African American women feel pressure to com-promise their true selves as they navigate America's racial and gender bigotry. Black women "shift" by altering the expectations they have for themselves or their outer appearance. They modify their speech. They shift "White" as they hea...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
July 27th 2004
by Harper Perennial
(first published 2003)
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Wow.
That's all I can say after reading this book.
If you've ever received the compliment "Wow, you speak so well......" or "Wow, you're so smart ......" with an unspoken trail off at the end of the sentence, this book is for you.
If you've ever spoken to someone on the phone and then met them in person, only to have them say in passing "When I talked to you, I thought you were White." This book is for you.
If you've cringed at the hyper sexualization of thin, Black females, the "once a Black male...more
That's all I can say after reading this book.
If you've ever received the compliment "Wow, you speak so well......" or "Wow, you're so smart ......" with an unspoken trail off at the end of the sentence, this book is for you.
If you've ever spoken to someone on the phone and then met them in person, only to have them say in passing "When I talked to you, I thought you were White." This book is for you.
If you've cringed at the hyper sexualization of thin, Black females, the "once a Black male...more
An enlightening read that brought to the forefront many of the struggles and challenges Black women in America face--both within their families and communities and in the workforce. I will admit I was ignorant to many of these challenges. In this sense, Shifting has served to make me conscious of the many obstacles and prejudices Black women face in America--because of their race and also uniquely because of their gender. As a result of reading this book I have become more committed to making su...more
While reading this I realized I picked the wrong time to delve into the subject matter and it was quite unintentional. I had borrowed it from the library and it was fast approaching the return date so I had to get a move on and read it.
Now why do I say wrong time? I say this because with all the negativity, bigotry & entitlement that is running rampant this book only served as a reminder and an emphatic confirmation of what African American women have to endure while navigating life in thes...more
Now why do I say wrong time? I say this because with all the negativity, bigotry & entitlement that is running rampant this book only served as a reminder and an emphatic confirmation of what African American women have to endure while navigating life in thes...more
Jun 30, 2008
Izetta Autumn
marked it as to-read
Given the recent torture and sexual assault of Megan Williams, a 20-year old West Virginian who was held captive for several days, while she was repeatedly raped and beaten, and the Dunbar Housing Project sexual assault, I feel it's vitally important to read about the lives of Black Women (and all womyn) in America - especially as so many of us face violence. For me, reading is about good books - but also books that equip me with the ability to live a more full and aware life.
Check out:
http://ww...more
Check out:
http://ww...more
This was a wonderful book. Provides the perspective of black women in America, along with the author's point-blank look at her own race: "If we can't understand what we want, then how can we expect others to understand what we want?"
Author was a child in the 1950s, in college in the 1960s and began her journalism career in the mid, to late 1960s. Her perspective on this topic is phenomenal.
Author was a child in the 1950s, in college in the 1960s and began her journalism career in the mid, to late 1960s. Her perspective on this topic is phenomenal.
This book is amazing. This is a MUST read for every Black African woman as well as the individuals that love them. This book helped me understand my place & spaces as a Black African woman in America. I refer this book to everyone I know & it is by far one of my favorites. I will warn you, be ready to cry when you read this.
A lot of this book hit close to home for me, and maybe that is a good thing. It explains a lot of what I have gone/continue to go through as a Black woman in modern society. Good read for gender studies, feminists, and Black/AA Studies students, as well as anyone interested in the psychological effects of 'shifting' to accommodate and 'smooth things over' for others.
Very interesting read about what it means to Black Woman America in various aspects of life and the moment to moment struggle to be ourselves while trying to fit the mold of a society that has is both oppressive and misogynistic towards black women, despite the strides we have made.
A very thought-provoking book. However, it is told as an exclusive part of
Black Women's lives and yet it is seen throughout any person that has to "put on a mask" for anything they may do, albeit work, school, dating, etc. etc,...
Black Women's lives and yet it is seen throughout any person that has to "put on a mask" for anything they may do, albeit work, school, dating, etc. etc,...
Read this book several years ago and it really spoke to me. But now that I'm at a much different place in my life I wonder if I will feel the same ? So it's on my re-read list. We'll see.
I bought this book after meeting the authors at a book-signing at Women and Children First bookstore in Chicago. They do a nice job of addressing what many black people feel they have to do in the workplace - turn on their "acceptable" selves. This book presents the results of a qualitative study and includes quotes from interviews. A common way of shifting (mentioned often by study participants) is toning down anger to avoid being perceived as a crazy, finger-waving, neck-swiveling Black woman....more
I loved this book. It was refreshing to see such an accurate portrait and saddening that so few would actually understand the books meaning.
I thought this book was incredible. I have run into that, where the person spoke to you on the phone, and when they met you in person they were shocked, because they didnt think you were black. I like how the author visited/interviewed those from many walks of life, and covered varied aspects of life as well-in great detail......
Different than what I thought it'd be, but still a good book with interesting subject matter I could relate to.
The idea that Black women shift their demeanor, speech pattern, and appearance in order to be accepted by Black men and White America. I did not agree with the way the book was presented. I felt it was subjective and stilted in some of its views. Only one point of view was expressed.
Interesting examination of how African-American women in the professional world sometimes feel as if they must "shift" who they are in order to be accepted and possibly break-through glass ceilings.
Deals with the duality of being black and female, encountering problems that neither black men nor white women face or coud emphatize with.
The life and times of black women in America having to endure dual "isms" against women and African Americans.
Apr 20, 2008
Elisa Gusdal
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
especially my Minnesota sisters!
Shelves:
non-fiction
Enjoyed the discussion with the author at the NOMMO Forum.
Hallelujah.
Still reading
May 18, 2013
Chenoa
marked it as to-read
May 17, 2013
Wilson
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At
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May 17, 2013
Velencia
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May 16, 2013
Sue
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May 15, 2013
Mary
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2013
Allisonjam
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2013
Ashe
marked it as to-read
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Aug 06, 2012 02:15pm