tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542742968776068021.post965528015323130291..comments2023-07-09T05:24:11.611-04:00Comments on Now Rise Books blog: Melissa Harris Perry, Sister CitizenLisa at nowrisebooks@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00174531870239267055noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542742968776068021.post-22416911649101379012011-12-06T03:03:12.954-05:002011-12-06T03:03:12.954-05:00"Sister Citizen" is the most comprehensi..."Sister Citizen" is the most comprehensive look at the stereotypes plaguing black women that I've ever read. Melissa Harris-Perry proves again that she is one of America's most incredible political minds. It is remarkably academic and instructive; it uses a strong mixture of history and the present to tie together the themes it introduces. You understand within a few pages that this is not just another author's look at the long-suffering of black women in this country, it's a textbook, written by an educator who brilliantly connects the concepts in each chapter to the ones covered before it. Most importantly for me, as a black woman, I found myself reacting out loud again and again as Ms. Harris-Perry illustrated the many ways 'mis-recognition' has taken hold over the history of African Americans in this country, and the specific political impacts that have resulted. This book is an amazingly well-written, important work that should be required reading in history classes across America, and that most certainly should be gifted to as many African American women young and old, as possible.Brasilhttp://eclipsegym.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542742968776068021.post-73061379879045876062011-07-13T14:53:48.887-04:002011-07-13T14:53:48.887-04:00I look forward to reading Ms.Perry's book. As...I look forward to reading Ms.Perry's book. As a columnist, (wwww.blackamarillo.com) I have written frequently about the historical, and ongoing, wholesale disparagement of black women, especially by the media. One recent episode of a crime television show included dialogue in which a white man referred to an African American assistant district attorney as "The Help." This is but one example of the negative portrayal of black women by the media. I shudder to think of what will happen when the movie based on the book, "The Help" is released. There are scenes in that book that can truly damage the existing negative image of black women. I shudder to think how much Hollywood will further stomp black women into the ground with the release of the movie. All of us must become more attuned to the overt and covert ways in which black women are disparaged--and to resist further denigration whenever and however possible. Of course black women are caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place--if we speak out we are hostile and angry--if we don't we are "content" and unenlightened. I worry so much about all young black girls and how they will fare in a world that prefers white women. Ms. Perry's recent commentary about black-white wealth disparities should concern us all--but this disparity should be particularly troubling for the fate of black women and their children. I hope Ms. Perry's "Sister Citizen" will spur a genuine discussion and action. My greatest fear, however, is that some readers will view her research as somehow confirming of long held stereotypes. I look forward to reading the book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542742968776068021.post-73567645152582968442011-05-09T19:21:46.592-04:002011-05-09T19:21:46.592-04:00This is an incredibly generous post. Thank you. --...This is an incredibly generous post. Thank you. --MHPParkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11552762389993686702noreply@blogger.com