Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America - Softcover

Jones, MS Charisse; Shorter-Gooden, Kumea

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060090553 ISBN 13: 9780060090555

Publisher: Harper Perennial, 2004

Synopsis

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 head to work in the morning and "Black" as they come back home each night. They shift inward, internalizing the searing pain of the negative stereotypes that they encounter daily. And sometimes they shift by fighting back.

With deeply moving interviews, poignantly revealed on each page, Shifting is a much-needed, clear, and comprehensive portrait of the reality of African American women's lives today.

About this title

Review:

"Stress is a common theme...the authors found good news...'We're learning that we don't have to lose ourselves.'"--Essence

"Jones and Shorter-Gooden are wise, warm and candid, breaking new ground.... An important and powerful book for us all.--Mary Pipher

"Always moving, at times haunting, and often inspirational, Shifting provides a richly textured look at the lives of Black women."--Bebe Moore Campbell, author of What You Owe Me

"A deeply moving, intimate and important book about the emotional costs for Black women in white America."--Harriet Lerner, author of The Dance of Anger

"Searing...as I read Shifting... I wanted to rip out chapters and send them to nearly everyone I know."--Gwen Ifill

"Urgent...compelling and educational...a real contribution."--Publishers Weekly

"Poignant...based on research garnered from the African American Women's Voices Project, the largest study to date of black women."--Booklist

"Meaningful and poignant...this well researched and beautifully written book is a must read."--William Pollack, Ph.D., author of Real Boys William Pollack, Ph.D., author of Real Boys William Pollack, Ph.D., author of Real Boys William Pollack, Ph.D., author of Real Boys William Pollack, Ph.D., author of Real Boys William Pollack, Ph.D., author

About the Author:

Charisse Jones is a national correspondent for USA Today. A former staff writer for the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, she has been a commentator for National Public Radio and is a contributing writer for Essence magazine.

Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in private practice and a professor at the California School of Professional Psychology of Alliant International University, Los Angeles.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0060090553
• ISBN 13: 9780060090555
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368