A Black Woman's Guide to Getting Free

by Tamara Winfrey Harris

Empowering, feminist guidance for Black women on living unapologetically and authentically—from the bestselling author of The Sisters Are Alright.

Unshackle your authentic self from the expectations and stereotypes of American culture through the 6 pillars of living free as a Black woman.

Tamara Winfrey Harris harnesses her knowledge as a two-time author and storyteller of the Black femme experience and nationally known expert on the intersections of race and gender to deliver a sharp feminist analysis that is illustrated by real-life stories and examples plucked from popular culture and intimate Black woman-to-Black woman truth-telling.

This book is separated into two parts. First, the meaning of liberation is explored and Black women will be guided in creating sustaining practices to mature their well-being along the freedom journey.

In part two, readers are introduced to the 6 pillars of living free as a Black woman:
-Spot the distortions
-Know your truth
-Celebrate the real you
-Understand the cost of liberation
-Practice freedom
-SEE free Black women everywhere

With the bold, astute writing that you have come to expect from Winfrey Harris, A Black Woman’s Guide to Getting Free urges Black women everywhere to choose themselves, and choose freedom, in a world that would have you chained.

176 pages, Paperback

Published July 9, 2024

About the author

Tamara Winfrey-Harris is a writer who specializes in the ever-evolving space where current events, politics and pop culture intersect with race and gender.

She says, “I want to be a storyteller of the Black female experience and a truth-teller to all those folks who got us twisted—tangled up in racist and sexist lies. I want my writing to advocate for my sisters. We are better than alright. We are amazing.”

Well-versed on a range of topics, including Beyoncé’s feminism; Rachel Dolezal’s white privilege; and the Black church and female sexuality, Tamara has been published in media outlets, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, Cosmopolitan, New York Magazine and The Los Angeles Times. And she has been called to share her analysis on media outlets, including NPR’s “Weekend Edition” and Janet Mock’s “So Popular” on MSNBC.com, and on university campuses nationwide.

Tamara’s first book, The Sisters Are Alright: Changing the Broken Narrative of Black Women in America was published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers in 2015 and called “a myth-busting portrait of Black women in America” by The Washington Post. The book won the Phillis Wheatley Award, IndieFab Award, Independent Publishers Living Now Award and the IPPY Award. Her sophomore effort Dear Black Girl: Letters From Your Sisters On Stepping Into Your Power is forthcoming in March 2021 from Berrett-Koehler Publishers, and available for pre-order.

Her essays also appear in The Lemonade Reader: Beyonce, Black Feminism and Spirituality (Routledge, 2019); The Burden: African Americans and the Enduring Impact of Slavery (Wayne State University Press, 2018) and The Arlington Reader: Fourth Edition (Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013).

Reviews

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

”You are not your trauma or your fuck ups but they are apart of the whole you. And that whole deserves celebration.”

5 stars. That quote is actually from Bryan Stevenson’s book Just Mercy. I haven’t read it but it is now on my TBR because holy shit what a quote! I digress, Harris can absolutely do nothing wrong. I’ve read and loved all of her books. Her writing is so engaging and the way she words things just really speaks to me. This one was just as great as her previous books and I read this at the perfect time. I’m all for Black women living life authentically and stress free as much as possible. We fucking deserve it.

[Shaketta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars... I wouldn't say that it's a "guide" exactly. I would say it is more of short story/motivational stories that are relatable to Black women. It has some really good points about how important to be your true authentic self.
Some of my favorite quotes include the following:
"She prioritized herself and said no to a nation's expectations..."
"We might as well choose our full selves. We might as well stop studying our knees and look up. We might as well be healthy. We might as well be authentic. We might as well be big. We might as well be free."
"We can choose our own well-being, our own accomplishments and our own joy."
"We do not exist" simply for achievement or saving others or disapproving lies about Black folks or women."

I have so many other favorite quotes, but I don't want to give them all away. I loved the journal prompts and homework sections to get women to be truly 'free' without inhibitions and reflect on our own happiness. I did enjoy this book, it was a quick read and I am so thankful that I received the ARC from the publisher. I now want to go and read the rest of the author's work.
Yes, I would recommend reading this, but it's not a solution to your issue of feeling stuck in life or certain situations or relationships.

[Carol Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance uncorrected galley copy of this book but the opinions are my own.
I have followed this author for years and really enjoyed her book “The Sisters Are Alright”(intense yet powerful and engaging) and was excited to receive this advance copy. The blurb says it is “empowering, feminist guidance for Black women on living unapologetically and authentically” and the author provides background information, motivational stories, questions, options/solutions and exercises for Black women who want to live Black unapologetically and authentically. As an older Black woman I have read and thought about many of the points/issues she makes but this book has potential to be a guide for younger women.
I was torn about a rating for this book and have thought about it for a few weeks and keep coming back to my notes and ultimately decided to give it three stars. The format is nine easily digestible chapters, the ideas are excellent and can help younger women on the journey to self love and empowerment however it seemed too basic for me.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I would only recommend it to people who have not read other women’s self-help/motivational/empowerment books before. Viewing empowerment through the lens of yoga practices and teachings was a unique twist. However, I do not think it otherwise added much to this genre that has not already been done just as well before by others. The “6 pillars of living free as a Black woman” were pretty much retreads of advice you have probably heard or read elsewhere.

On the very positive side, Winfrey’s writing is clear, authentic, and entertaining, and the book is a quick, breezy read. I think this a good introduction to the Black feminism and empowerment spaces for anyone new to them.

[Ch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well written and thoughtful explanation of black womanhood reaches out to black and brown girls of all ages. The author tells us “You are already alright!” People need to hear this. The book’s lessons include you be you, don’t be invisible, and don’t look past your sisters. See yourself and see them. Celebrate yourself, your sisters, your people.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, I read several chapters at one time. It was engrossing. I don’t believe that I would necessarily call it a guide but it was enjoyable. I liked getting different black womens viewpoints within the chapters that correlated to the chapter itself.

[kw204741 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will also be adding this to my library and referring back to it often.