Sisters of the Yam : Black Women and Self-Recovery

"In Sisters of the Yam, bell hooks reflects on the ways in which the emotional health of black women has been and continues to be impacted by sexism and racism. Desiring to create a context where black females could both work on their individual efforts for self-actualization while remaining connected to a larger world of collective struggle, Hooks articulates the link between self-recovery and political resistance. Both an expression of the joy of self-healing and the need to be ever vigilant in the struggle for equality, Sisters of the Yam continues to speak to the experience of black womanhood"--;Cover; Title; Copyright; Contents; preface to the new edition: reflections of light; introduction healing darkness; 1. seeking after truth; 2. tongues of fire learning critical affirmation; 3. work makes life sweet; 4. knowing peace an end to stress; 5. growing away from addiction; 6. dreaming ourselves dark and deep black beauty; 7. facing and feeling loss; 8. moved by passion eros and responsibility; 9. living to love; 10. sweet communion; 11. the joy of reconciliation; 12. touching the earth; 13. walking in the spirit; selected bibliography; an interview with bell hooks; index. Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 8 preface to the new edition: reflections of light 10 introduction healing darkness 16 1. seeking after truth 26 2. tongues of fire learning critical affirmation 36 3. work makes life sweet 44 4. knowing peace an end to stress 54 5. growing away from addiction 64 6. dreaming ourselves dark and deep black beauty 74 7. facing and feeling loss 90 8. moved by passion eros and responsibility 100 9. living to love 112 10. sweet communion 128 11. the joy of reconciliation 140 12. touching the earth 150 13. walking in the spirit 156 selected bibliography 164 an interview with bell hooks 170 index 190 "In Sisters of the Yam, bell hooks reflects on the ways in which the emotional health of black women has been and continues to be impacted by sexism and racism. Desiring to create a context where black females could both work on their individual efforts for self-actualization while remaining connected to a larger world of collective struggle, Hooks articulates the link between self-recovery and political resistance. Both an expression of the joy of self-healing and the need to be ever vigilant in the struggle for equality, Sisters of the Yam continues to speak to the experience of black womanhood"-- Provided by publisher We have to consciously study how to be tender with each other until it becomes a habit because what was native has been stolen from us, the love of Black women for each other.