Straight, No Chaser: How I Became a Grown-Up Black Woman [Paperback]

Jill Nelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999

The face of journalism was forever changed after Jill Nelson came along. Volunteer Slavery, the memoir and explosive expose of her experiences in the white, male-dominated world of The Washington Post, served as a wake-up call to all Americans and placed Nelson at the forefront of the African American political arena.

Now, the bestselling author is back with Straight, No Chaser, a call to arms written in an effort to "look at the sum of [black women's] lives beyond the how-to-snag-a-man, am-I-pretty-enough and how's-my-hair concerns that dominate [their] daily existence." Nelson encourages black women--especially young girls--to develop a positive identity in the face of adversity and to look critically at their role models, many of whom she believes send mixed messages to the African American community. From Barbie to bra burning, Mike Tyson to the Million Man March, Nelson takes a personal and thoughtful approach to the empowerment of the black female.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Jill Nelson's first book, Volunteer Slavery, was an account of her time as a writer at the Washington Post, a sojourn that ended with her resignation and a near-nervous breakdown. In this new collection of essays, Nelson issues a call to arms to black women. As she sees it, black women are at the center of the black community as parents, workers, churchgoers, nurturers, and caregivers, yet are excluded from discussions about the future of that community. In this stirring, sure-to-be-talked-about book, Nelson challenges black women to "speak up and out, to speak the truth about what is really happening in ourselves, our communities, and the larger culture." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In this powerful memoir, USA Today columnist Nelson "combines interesting slices of her upper-middle-class upbringing with stirring essays on what it means to be a black woman in America today."
Copyright 1997 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: 240 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140277242
• ISBN-13: 978-0140277241
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written reflections!, October 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Straight, No Chaser: How I Became a Grown-Up Black Woman (Paperback)

Go Jill! I recently saw you on BET with Tavis Smiley and 3 or 4 Black female ministers.

Nearly every feeling you expressed in your book was something I felt in the past or in some way still do today. What hit home was something significant that most Black people miss, especially the younger ones. As we approach the 21st century, American history is being rewritten to exclude the civil rights movement! And yes, you put it succintly, Black women are becoming invisible, erased!

Why I didn't give this book five stars -- the book ended with no recommendations to resolve the anger and bitterness issues expressed throughout the book. Also, too many open-ended inuendos about other Black leaders such as Al Sharpton, Maya Angelou, etc.

Still, Jill, keep writing.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Women can be angry too !!!, November 17, 1997

By 

S. Bishop "bookworm" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Straight, No Chaser (Hardcover)

Well !!! I don't want to use the term scathing to describe this book as that word seems to have a negative connotation. This book is, in my eyes, far from negative. But, the unfiltered, blunt and to the point observations that Ms. Nelson makes about the status of Black women in America may leave many folks singed !!

Sharing revealing examples from her own life, the author cuts through many of the euphemisms used to mask racism, sexism and the outright abuse of Black women over the decades. She unapologetically discusses her pain, anger frustration while leaving us the message that it is OKAY for us feel and express it as well. We do not have to continue to be good little colored girls in the face of people telling us, through words and actions, that we do not count. The 'niggerbitchfit' we feel boiling over and out of us, on far too many occasions, has its merits for our mental and physical well being !

She also makes some stinging comments about some of Black America's cherished 'role models' and 'icons'. Who would dare to call Maya Angelou a 'mammy' figure? Who would call the women of 'Living Single' updated examples of the same old black female stereotypes? Ms. Nelson. She does not mince words!

In addition to reading the book, I attended her reading and signing. Marcus Books in Oakland, CA is a small store but it was packed with admirers ... and critics. Jill Nelson handled herself well and stuck to her guns when faced with comments from a few disgruntled male visitors who tried to make this book (about Black female empowerment) about them.

If you think you can handle it, buy it, read it and heed its advice. The last chapter leaves us with a mission and a challenge ...

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Journalist Jill Nelson tells all in new book!!, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Straight, No Chaser (Hardcover)

I LOVE JILL NELSON!!! I have been a loyal fan and devoted follower of her writings since her days as a writer for ESSENCE magazine and the Village Voice. I even remember reading some of her articles when she was a writer for the Washington Post. Her latest literary effort, "Straight, No Chaser," is written in the same, no-nonsense, subtle yet direct, with just a twinge of sarcasm writing style that made her first book, "Volunteer Slavery," a bestseller and became a Bible of sorts to just about every African-American journalist in America..myself included! In her new book, I was especially touched by Nelson's periodic reference to the Deletha Word tragedy that occurred on a dark bridge in Detroit 4 years ago this month. Nelson writes about the awful event and describes how a minor incident escalated into a terrible tragedy and the loss of a life. I also enjoyed the chapter about violence toward women and how her ex-husband once "slapped me upside my head with his open palm so hard I see red, white and blue stars and my ear rings for twenty-four hours." I also enjoyed how she accurately points out that many of the so-called "black leaders," of today are usually loud-mouthed ministers who ALWAYS want to put race at the forefront of everything and blame all of African-Americans problems on the white man. Finally, while her latest book is very good, "Volunteer Slavery ," is better and still remains one of my all-time favorite books. Few writers are able to reveal so much about others yet, still be able to put themselves and their own faults and foibles on public display as skillfully and as well as Nelson does in each book. Keep up the good work Jill!! You have a legion of fans out here who love you and your work!!!!