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Advance
Praise
for
Toby Thompkins and
The Real Lives of Strong Black Women
“Toby
Thompkins is to be commended for honoring and holding dear
Strong Black Women. I never considered myself a Strong Black
Woman, but I am glad people think I am. I wish I had met Mr.
Thompkins's mother, because she brought forth a Strong Black
Man who respects life and also appreciates black women and
our differences. I thank him for explaining the necessity to
celebrate our great legacy.”
Rosa
Parks
“We
all know the mythical Strong Black Woman—in fact, many of
us are that woman. Toby Thompkins reveals the painful
truths behind the myth and the often-devastating personal
price that living up to the stereotype of the Black Super
Woman exacts. This provocative exploration is a must-read
both for those concerned with the condition of black women
in America today and those of us determined to free
ourselves from these oppressive myths and stereotypes.”
Jill
Nelson, author of Straight, No Chaser: How I Became a
Grown-Up Black Woman and Sexual Healing
“A
testament to the power of healing dialogues between black
men and women, The Real Lives of Strong Black Women
offers fresh and liberating ways to help us get past old
stereotypes that keep us stuck, so that we can move forward
choosing love, inner peace, and joy. Read, reflect, and
be renewed.”
bell
hooks, author of We
Real Cool and The
Will To Change
“In
The Real Lives of Strong Black Women, Toby Thompkins
not only celebrates the power and courage of black women,
but also addresses the myths that imprison us with narrow,
simplistic images and expectations. Here we are also offered
tools to define our own paths as makers and breakers of
ourselves.”
Edwidge Danticat, author of The Dew Breaker
and Breath, Eyes, Memory
“This
is a loving call in praise of black women, hoping for and
working toward our healing, wholeness, and graceful
power.”
Elizabeth Alexander, poet, essayist, Yale
University professor
Karen Williams, M.Ed., Founder/CEO, HaHA Institute
“This
is a timely book about black women and the personal costs of
their undeniable strength. The stories and self-help advice
offered within are nourishment for the soul of America.”
Danny
Simmons, author, painter, and cofounder of the Def Poetry
Jam Performance Series
Shawne Johnson, author of Eden, Ohio and Getting
Our Breath Back
“Be
you black, white, pink, yellow, polka-dot, or striped,
female, male, straight, or gay, do not be fooled by the
title of this book and do not allow misplaced political
correctness to stop you from reading it. While taking us
on a creative and positive deconstruction of the Strong
Black Woman myths, Toby Thompkins holds up a mirror to us
all in which he reflects back to us our common humanity in
all its strengths and flaws. In doing so he gives us tools
not only with which to help our personal growth, but also to
celebrate our shared understanding of struggle and each
other. Enjoy the journey!"
Olga
Edridge, director, Joint Ventures & New Channel
Development, BBC Worldwide
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