In the Company of My Sisters [Paperback]

Julia A. Boyd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1996

Presents important issues for African-American women as well as the controversies they face, covering such timely topics as interracial relationships, bi- and gay sexuality in the black community, and the role of the African-American family. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Black women are exposed to "distorted messages about our ethnicity and our femaleness," notes Boyd, a Seattle psychotherapist. To countermand these messages, she offers this affectionate mix of feminist analysis, pop psychology and sisterly wisdom written in a colloquial style and interspersed with anecdotes and questions drawn from her "sister circle" support group of friends. "Our basic teaching tells us that thinking and doing for ourselves is 'selfish'," observes Boyd, who recommends "self-care"--a perspective that balances between selfishness and selflessness. Testing community taboos, she writes positively of masturbation, as well as of interracial relationships. She criticizes what, in her view, is black women's disrespect for one other as "an act of self-hatred," and suggests they extend themselves through volunteer projects and even by simply greeting each other on the street. Black women writers, she observes, can help provide new images of competence and she offers a brief reading list. Healing the black woman's self-image must, Boyd stresses, be both an individual and collective act.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Boyd, a psychotherapist and author of Uncommon Ground (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 1990) puts on her "therapist hat and shoes" in this new book. She speaks to the heart of the black woman, as she analyzes oppressive stereotypes and destructive myths. This is self-help and more. Issues such as sexuality, religious beliefs, racial discrimination, and domestic violence are addressed candidly, and we get to hear from her "sisters": Jo, Nettie, LaTisha, Lestine, Angie, Flo, and Zoey speak of their different experiences. What Boyd offers is a message to all women--regardless of race or color--that "we are not our wounds of the past, and if we allow our wounds to define our present lives, we forfeit the opportunity to live our lives in the here and now." This is a very important addition to self-help collections.
- Corinne Nelson, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Plume (December 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452272467
• ISBN-13: 978-0452272460
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good sound reading!, December 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Company of My Sisters: Black Women and Self-Esteem (Hardcover)

" In the Company of My Sisters" by Julia A. Boyd was to say the least an educationally stimulating discussion. Although some parts were more interesting than others, it was still good sound reading. For those of us that could remember the days when hair combing was a chore and not a pleasure or romance was on edge, the various characters will take you home. For those of us searching for the inner self-esteem we no longer possess or never have, it will assist you in finding your way. In the hearts of the sheltered woman or the man seeking knowledge about true sisterhood this is the book to share with the rest of the world. In the Company of My Sisters allow women to see the other side of the road that has been blocked by the trees or hidden behind the doors your mothers never wanted you to enter.

Every aspect of being a woman...trying to grow beyond the pillars of society and become someone special, to yourself, your family, your children or just special in the eyes of God, "...Sisters" will take you to the aspect of, " don't go there". It went there and came back again. Whatever your problem, whatever your situation this novel may assist you in resolving seemingly un-aidable issues or at least give you another out look on life and living itself. In it's entirety it was rated as a "7" on a scale of 1 to 10 by the women's reading group known as " SOLID" (Sisters Of Life, Independence and Development).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book Review by Sisters in Spirit Book Club, July 8, 2000

By 

Tiffany Colvin (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Company of My Sisters (Paperback)

This book provided my "Circle of Sisters" with two interesting hours of discussion, that we hated had to end. It was a wonderful read, and Julia touched on every issue pertinent to African-American women of today. From, our view of ourselves as Black women, to our relationships with others, Julia left no stone unturned. We all agreed that this title gave us alot to ponder on. Although there were several points that we all didn't agree on, such as her views on physical punishment, "we're better people despite whippings not because of them", there were so many other things that we did agree with, such as, "when we validate other Black women we inturn validate ourselves". This is definitely a MUST READ for all "Sister Circles". It promises to provide you with a lively discussion!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful piece of Work, June 29, 2000

By 

Joi Nycole Burks - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Company of My Sisters (Paperback)

I think that Julia did a good job on this book. This book was very helpful for a black woman to read, it helps you because different women were sharing their different experiences growing up, etc. Great job Julia.

jnb