Shifting : The Double Lives of Black Women in America

Rating:
Summary: The Beat Goes On...
Review: In SHIFTING, noted psychologist Kumea Shorter-Gooden and newspaper correspondent Charisse Jones take a sobering look at what they hypothesize is a uniquely African-American phenomenon. "Shifting" is the terminology they use to label behaviors they classify as a coping strategy, developed by women of color, to deal with race and gender bias in a largely white, male dominated culture.

The authors use research, interviews and surveys to show how African American women are forced to lead double lives in their efforts to assimilate into a society that tends to marginalize and stereotype them and their abilities. This book does a remarkable job of raising awareness on how the lives of these women are impacted in their communities, the workplace, and other areas such as child rearing, religion, personal grooming, and even amorous relationships.

SHIFTING is an outstanding collaboration between two noteworthy women that deals with a mostly unaddressed but nonetheless troubling issue from the perspective of the victims. The book makes for a very interesting read and imparts a wealth of information regarding the ongoing plight of people of color in a society deeply scarred by racism and sexism.

Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: The Beat Goes On...
Review: In SHIFTING, noted psychologist Kumea Shorter-Gooden and newspaper correspondent Charisse Jones take a sobering look at what they hypothesize is a uniquely African-American phenomenon. "Shifting" is the terminology they use to label behaviors they classify as a coping strategy, developed by women of color, to deal with race and gender bias in a largely white, male dominated culture.

The authors use research, interviews and surveys to show how African American women are forced to lead double lives in their efforts to assimilate into a society that tends to marginalize and stereotype them and their abilities. This book does a remarkable job of raising awareness on how the lives of these women are impacted in their communities, the workplace, and other areas such as child rearing, religion, personal grooming, and even amorous relationships.

SHIFTING is an outstanding collaboration between two noteworthy women that deals with a mostly unaddressed but nonetheless troubling issue from the perspective of the victims. The book makes for a very interesting read and imparts a wealth of information regarding the ongoing plight of people of color in a society deeply scarred by racism and sexism.

Reviewed by Autumn
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: It's Time For Tha Sistahs!
Review: Race scholar W.E.B. DuBois presented his veil of double consciousness theory in The Souls of Black Folk. Literary genius Ralph Ellison presented a heart-wrenching story of socioeconomic injustice with Invisible Man. Now, it's time for the sistahs to be heard. And, be heard they will! With Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America (HarperCollins, $13.95), Charisse Jones and Kumea Shorter-Gooden present a unique critique of African American social agenda reform, as it relates to the eclectic character and resilience of African American women.

Together Jones, an accomplished national correspondent for USA Today, and Shorter-Gooden, a licensed psychologist and professor at Alliant University, cleverly discuss the inspirational swagger and inherent splendor that embodies the essence of African American women. Shifting, based on the African American Women's Voices Project, takes the reader on a much-needed journey of spiritual, economic, political, and social importance. Absolute brilliance most accurately describes the excellent scholarly writing, which combined with commentary, interviews, and shocking statistics is sure to keep readers engaged. The stories of insight, pain, joy, and confusion by and about African American women of diverse backgrounds and experiences are eye-opening and jaw-dropping, to say the least.

On a daily basis African American women are forced to deal with a multitude of catch-22s, including, but not limited to, sexual exploitation and expectation, gender discrimination, and pseudo-creative representation in the entertainment field. Yet, they seem to effortlessly rise about the conditions of their oppressors. How tough is it for African American women to find their true identity in a society that historically relegates their worth to that of second-class citizenship? Many of us have no clue. Shifting provides crucial insight into these women's obstacles. Legendary jazz vocalist Lena Horne once said, "It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it." Jones and Shorter-Gooden discuss the origins and inherited responsibilities of the load that Black women in America carry; in addition to suggesting healthier techniques that can be used to lighten the burden of the load, while improving one's overall quality of life.

With thought-provoking chapters, such as "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall": Black Women and Beauty, "Can I Get a Witness?" - Black Women and the Church, and Doing Double Duty: Black Women in the World of Work, this critical assessment is sure to challenge, educate, and help influence views about the strength and endurance that are needed for Black women in America not only to exist, but succeed. Shifting is a powerful book indeed. It certainly will spark long awaited rap sessions and debates amongst the sexes, as a means of changing the ways African Americans interact with and perceive one another.

In addressing the state of relationships between African American males and females, notable scholar Manning Marable stated that "the black man will only reach his full potential when he learns to draw upon the strengths and insights of the black woman." Shifting is a step in the right direction towards dismantling the matrix of racism and injustice that have plagued Black women in America for so long.

Rating:
Summary: Shifting is amazing!
Review: Shifting is amazing! The relevance of this book in the lives of African American women is so profound its almost scary. Im truly happy that Jones and Shorter-Gooden took the time to focus on the issues and the lives that African American women in this nation. Presenting research-based findings and in a manner that is easy to read by anyone, this book is highly recommended on my list!

Rating:
Summary: Shifting is amazing!
Review: Shifting is amazing! The relevance of this book in the lives of African American women is so profound its almost scary. Im truly happy that Jones and Shorter-Gooden took the time to focus on the issues and the lives that African American women in this nation. Presenting research-based findings and in a manner that is easy to read by anyone, this book is highly recommended on my list!

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have
Review: Shifting is dead-on in describing the conflicts and struggles of Black women in America. This a must-read for anyone who does any kind of counseling or therapuetic work with African-American women. It is also an informative read for anyone who deals with Black women (in any context) and for those who just simply want to be more informed about the real, day-to-day living struggles common to most Black women.

Rating:
Summary: The stories are so profound and true!
Review: This book gives a VERY accurate account what black women face and encounter in our day to day lives!!

From the time that we get up in the morning, facing our families, to then "shifting" to work and having to face peers and co-workers, then "shifting" to some other part of life (church, exteneded family, etc.)...the emotional, physical and mental strain is tremendous. Not all go through it, but this book gives a very good "span" of black women and their stories, all ages and geographic locations.

This book is a DEFINITE MUST READ for all!!

Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading for ALL Americans
Review: This was a great book. Wonderfully candid and descriptive about the challenges facing black women all across America. The methodology was good and the information retrieved can be likened to a diamond. The anecdotal stories, I think, are quite representative of many black women and although I am a black woman, I actually learned something from this book. The book talks about how black women suffer from the 'double jeopardy' of being both black and female. About how black women have to discern if discrimination is gender or race based and then choose an appropriate course of action. Many women in this book have chosen 'the easy way out' by leaving a job or oppressive situation, but then I ASSume that many black women in America DO choose that route for whatever reason and its good to get that info out there. The writing is clear and engaging. The only thing I didn't like about the book is that its kind of depressing...

Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading for ALL Americans
Review: This was a great book. Wonderfully candid and descriptive about the challenges facing black women all across America. The methodology was good and the information retrieved can be likened to a diamond. The anecdotal stories, I think, are quite representative of many black women and although I am a black woman, I actually learned something from this book. The book talks about how black women suffer from the 'double jeopardy' of being both black and female. About how black women have to discern if discrimination is gender or race based and then choose an appropriate course of action. Many women in this book have chosen 'the easy way out' by leaving a job or oppressive situation, but then I ASSume that many black women in America DO choose that route for whatever reason and its good to get that info out there. The writing is clear and engaging. The only thing I didn't like about the book is that its kind of depressing...