Going Off: A Black Woman's Guide for Dealing with Anger and Stress [Paperback]

Faye Childs (Author), Noreen Palmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2002

Going Off examines common scenarios that can lead to anger in friendships, romantic relationships, families, and the workplace. It suggests ways to defuse your anger triggers by changing your perspective so that you can avoid the temptation to "go off" and instead think about the situation rationally. It also helps you detect when you have fallen into the Invincible Black Woman syndrome, the silent but strong type, and leads you on a path to recovery through control over stressful situations, counseling, setting limits, and accepting support from others. Going Off identifies some of the most common anger triggers and the four anger styles:

* Authoritarian: difficulty seeing others' point of view or feelings
* High Profile: overly concerned with image, often displaying a strong front
* Pragmatic: a stable team player at risk of internalizing anger
* Intellectual: likes to be in control and feels threatened when criticized

Finding spiritual release through rituals, meditation, self-care, and forgiveness is the final tool for conquering negative anger patterns. With insight, empowering quotes, and spiritual reflections, Going Off is full of inspiration and hope.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Letting pent-up anger explode doesn't improve one's situation and can be terribly self-destructive, observe Childs (founder and president of the Blackboard African-American Bestseller List) and Palmer (a psychotherapist). Zeroing in on black women's anger, they note specific "triggers"getting "dissed," being discriminated against by whites, being treated with suspicion. Other blood-pressure raisers on their list will find resonance with women of all races: betrayal by loved ones, overwork and road rage. Most of their practical adviceincluding tracking anger triggers and learning to defuse them; avoiding fantasizing about what others might be thinking; and seeking counselingwould be helpful to anyone, although much of it is easier discussed than done. The suggestions in the last section of the bookwriting in a journal, creating rituals of renewal and daily prayerare sweet but a tad na‹ve. The kind of woman who hauls off and socks her best friend for running off with her man has a long way to go before she's going to take a scented bath and light candles for forgiveness or try a little "affirmative breathing."

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Going Off shares the boldness of two women who have started the healing by looking in the mirror and sharing the stories of so many women who have taken that step toward finding purpose, power and peace in managing anger." -- Meshelle Foreman Shields, comedienne/actress

"Excellent, excellent, excellent. A must-read for every black woman who has ever dealt with the turbulent emotion of anger. Faye Childs and Noreen Palmer have given us not only perspective but good solid methods for confronting the issues that disrupt our daily lives." -- Julia A. Boyd, author of Can I Get a Witness?: Black Women and Depression

"The down-to-earth writing style, other women's stories, and solution-focused tips make it easy for women to see themselves going off and doing something about it." -- Clara Villarosa, bookseller

"Women have to learn new ways to express anger. Going Off gives women help in recognizing anger, solutions to the problem, and all-around inspiration." -- Iyanla Vanzant, New York Times bestselling author of Yesterday, I Cried; In the Meantime; and One Day My Soul Just Opened Up --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031230045X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312300456
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,791,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gift to Black Women, October 3, 2005

By 

Tenise - See all my reviews

This review is from: Going Off: A Guide for Black Women Who've Just About Had Enough (Hardcover)

This book is remarkable. Finally, there is a resource that can be used to help understand, explore, and empower Black women. It is truly a joy to read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Going Off, Timely Advice!, January 14, 2002

By 

Lisa (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Going Off: A Guide for Black Women Who've Just About Had Enough (Hardcover)

Going off is a must read. I'm glad that there is finally a book dedicated anger issues that are specific to Black women.
I found the anger styles to be most helpful, especially the
solutions.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A disappointment!, July 28, 2001

By 

Sahar (Queens, NY USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Going Off: A Guide for Black Women Who've Just About Had Enough (Hardcover)

This book wanders all over the place, has too many stories, and not enough concrete suggestions. There are definitely better books on the topic of women and anger.