Shifting : The Double Lives of Black Women in America

Always moving, at times haunting, and often inspirational, Shifting provides a richly textured look at the lives of Black women. Jones and Shorter-Gooden poignantly portray the day-to-day challenges and triumphs of sisters at work, in relationships, and in their spiritual lives.Bebe Moore Campbell, author of What You Owe Me Based on the African American Women's Voices Project, Shifting reveals that a large number of African American women feel pressure to compromise their true selves as they navigate America's racial and gender bigotry. Black women "shift" by altering the expectations they have for themselves or their outer appearance. They modify their speech. They shift "white" as they head to work in the morning and "Black" as they come back home each night. They shift inward, internalizing the searing pain of the negative stereotypes that they encounter daily. And sometimes they shift by fighting back. With deeply moving interviews, poignantly revealed on each page, Shifting is a much-needed, clear, and comprehensive portrait of the reality of African American women's lives today. Based On The African American Women's Voices Project, Shifting Reveals That A Large Number Of African American Women Feel Pressure To Compromise Their True Selves As They Navigate America's Racial And Gender Bigotry. Black Women Shift By Altering The Expectations They Have For Themselves Or Their Outer Appearance. They Modify Their Speech. They Shift White As They Head To Work In The Morning And Black As They Come Back Home Each Night. They Shift Inward, Internalizing The Searing Pain Of The Negative Stereotypes That They Encounter Daily. And Sometimes They Shift By Fighting Back--amazon.com. The Roots Of Shifting -- The Pain Of Gender Silence : I Am Black But Ain't I A Woman? -- The Many Shifts Of Black Women -- Seeking A Voice : The Language And Message Of Black Women -- The Sisterella Complex : Black Women And Depression -- Doing Double Duty : Black Women In The World Of Work -- Mirror, Mirror On The Wall : Black Women And Beauty -- Forging A Delicate Balance : Romance And Relationships Between Black Women And Men -- The Abcs Of Shifting : Mothering Black Children -- Can I Get A Witness? : Black Women And The Church -- Afterword -- Appendix: The African American Women's Voices Project. Charisse Jones And Kumea Shorter-gooden. Based On The African American Women's Voices Project--cover. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [325]-326) And Index. Commemorating its 2oth year in print with a new Introduction and updated content, Shifting explores the many identities Black women must adopt in various spaces to succeed in America. Based on the African American Women's Voices Project, Shifting reveals that a large number of Black women feel pressure to compromise their true selves as they navigate America's racial and gender bigotry. Black women'shift'by altering the expectations they have for themselves or their outer appearance. They modify their speech. They shift'white'as they head to work in the morning and'Black'as they come back home each night. They shift inward, internalizing the searing pain of the negative stereotypes that they encounter daily. And sometimes they shift by fighting back. In commemoration of its twentieth year in print with a new Introduction and updated content throughout Shifting is a much-needed, clear, and comprehensive portrait of the reality of Black women's lives today. Black women in America have learned to find humor in heartache, to see beauty in the midst of desperation and horror.