Customer Reviews

Naked: Black Women Bare All About Their Skin, Hair, Hips, Lips, and Other Parts

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The woman represented here are diverse, yet I saw my own life in almost every story. The issues of "good" vs "bad" hair. The divisive issue of skin color. Growing up with the self-destructive wishing to be someone different because I did not feel valued as I was. These are stories I have heard over and over again, lived over and over again. Most women of color in the US will find something in these pages that rings true. As women we are defined by our appearance early and often. This truth has created a limbo for most of us, as it has for these women. The stories talk about our invisibility, our vulnerability and our quest to love ourselves in spite of the weight of messages that tell us we not as lovable, sensual, and intellectual because we do not have fair skin and long straight hair. This book is a gift because ultimately the feelings expressed here are universal. We all seek to belong, to feel like we are seen and heard. We desire to love and be loved. Some of these women succeeded despite the weight of the message. Some are still struggling. But, I thank them all for sharing because in reading of their struggle, I took the invitation to revisit my own.

A good friend recommended this book to me, and even loaned me her copy. Still, I waited nearly two months to pick it up, only to finish it in one weekend! I was absolutely captivated! So many different parts of the different books rang true to me. There are so many loaded, complex issues related to the way that black women see our hair, skin, butts and thighs. Somehow, I thought that I was struggling alone with these issues, but this book showed me that so many of us sufffer through it without feeling that there is ever a safe place to talk about it. Well, these women talk about it. In detail and without an amazing honesty. It spoke to me, and these stories had me thinking about how I negatively I see some of my body parts, and made me realize how important it really is for black women to find a place to talk about these issues and a way heal ourselves.

Interested in black sexual identity and politics? This book is a must read. I especially recommend it to book clubs of black women. The topics in this book will make for great, hopefully healing, conversation.

Naked; excellent, relevant and reassuring! The voices embodied in these pages are representative of how every one of us feels at one time or another. The stories of conflict and resolution provide comfort. We are not alone ... we all struggle with the societal pressures of being a woman ... or being woman enough in a society obsessed with unhealthy, unrealistic ideals. Naked is a refreshing spark that encourages thinking about and discussing these issues, putting aside the Always-Strong-Black-Woman image to really begin analyzing and healing our battle scars. I am thankful that the book's contributors had the courage to put their experiences and fears out in the open for the benefit of us all. This book should be required reading for all women but especially for young women on the brink of full on women-hood and mothers of girls.

I selected this book as a reading for my all-female book club and it was perfect! Because they're short stories, there were many topics that we could use for discussion. It's a great read for a group, or even just for someone who is interested in reading about body image from the perspective of women of color. The stories will make you think!

I am a black man. Five days ago I received a copy of this book from by cousin. I've only reached half way but I HAD to stop.
There were some passage about how BLACK WOMEN felt hurt and unwanted by verbal abuse of men when they were walking in the streets and I felt bad, because I am one of those guys cussing when a women doesn't give in to my advances. I walk around with friends and I often cuss just as to show off to my friends that "hey that B*** didn't hurt me with her stupid attitude".
The thing I never thought about is how they felt when I cuss them out. Even if my intention was not to add yet another blow to her lowself-esteem. I might sound green by now to some readers but I first off come from the carribean. And there the inferiority complex is not that extreme over there since the majority of the population and business owners are black. But I must add, ormaybe confess I would be more likely to cuss a black women then any other race. And that alone shows that I am part of the problem.
For those who need more convincing argument of the dilemma which Naked exposes, BLACK SKIN WHITE MASK, by Fanon is a support to this book.
But I have to agree with some essay where they says the media, hell society has a fix definition of what beauty is and should look like. Even disney movies like Cinderella, snow white, etc..... brings to our children mind what is expect of their physical appearance to be considered attractive.
I'll try to mustard courage to finish this book AND I'll finsih by saying I am SORRY to all those women I hurt with my foul words. A change is definitely needed '

Naked strips away all the mystery surrounding the thoughts held by black women about their bodies. Often raised in a subculture that is not tolerant of a woman sharing their fears, reservations and insecurities about their bodies African American ladies have had to long keep their thoughts to themselves, at least until now. Often over-sexualized in music and videos, Naked sheds a rainbow of light on the way black women from all walks of life, view their bodies, from Melyssa Ford and Jill Scott to a former prostitute and a house wife, this anthology has it all. With short essays like "My Tush" and "Ho Gear", this promises to be a quick enjoyable read for anyone.
1. What did you like best about this book?
I absolutely loved that this book was written by women, for other women. Some of the stories in here express thoughts and feelings that are often not talked about and mostly not accepted. It was very refreshing to see the stories of our women in print.

2. What did you dislike about this book?
I felt that the editors did a great job in being selective about what they put in the book but I still feel a few stories could have been left out.

3. How can the author improve this book?
I think the book would be even better if the editors could somehow swap out a few stories.

I ran across this book at a bookstore and decided to pick it up. I was impressed by this books honesty and sincerity. There were so many viewpoints from so many walks of life that any woman, black or otherwise, could draw wisdom from. There were times when I laughed, when I cried, when I rejoiced, or when I just sat and contemplated. I would recommend this book to read for anyone. It is intruguing,introspective, educational, and inspirational. One of my alltime favorites.

I also finished most of the essays in Naked, soon after purchasing it. The various thoughts, and emotions that the women in this collection have gone through are both shocking, and yet not surpising at all. Having dealt with my fair share of black women, I've come to almost accept their multitued of "lets say" spiritual ailments. Far too often, we allow the outside world to dictate who we are, and what beauty is...I'd definitly suggest everyone to pick up this book. As a man, I can honesetly say that I have more appreciation for the sane sista's that I've come across after reading Naked.

I picked this up on a whim at my library. This book offered way more than I originally expected.

The various narrations revealed a glimpse into the many insecurities many women of all nationalities face each and everyday. Particularly the plight of the African American woman. Who is often perceived as strong willed and to have a "don't take no mess" attitude. We suffer from the same insecurities, eating disorders, mental illnesses and sense of inferiority that our White sisters often are more vocal about.

Its a double edged sword being a woman in a man's world as well being Black in a White world.

This book upon reading it gave me a significant boost in my self esteem (I'm a Mom to a two year old and still have yet to lose the "baby" weight).

As women, we are sometimes our worst critic and sometimes you just have to be reminded that you are beautiful no matter what others outside your world believe.

This book is AMAZING! It changes the way black women will look at themselves. This book Embraces the physical characteristics of black females. It looks at the negative stereotypes of dark skin women and calls to mind all the insecurities that we as black women face in America. I recommend this book for every woman of color!