Naked: Black Women Bare All about Their Skin, Hair, Hips, Lips, and Other Parts

I am a black man. Five days ago I received a copy of this book from by cousin. I've only reached half way but I HAD to stop. There were some passage about how BLACK WOMEN felt hurt and unwanted by verbal abuse of men when they were walking in the streets and I felt bad, because I am one of those guys cussing when a women doesn't give in to my advances. I walk around with friends and I often cuss just as to show off to my friends that "hey that B*** didn't hurt me with her stupid attitude". The thing I never thought about is how they felt when I cuss them out. Even if my intention was not to add yet another blow to her lowself-esteem. I might sound green by now to some readers but I first off come from the carribean. And there the inferiority complex is not that extreme over there since the majority of the population and business owners are black. But I must add, ormaybe confess I would be more likely to cuss a black women then any other race. And that alone shows that I am part of the problem. For those who need more convincing argument of the dilemma which Naked exposes, BLACK SKIN WHITE MASK, by Fanon is a support to this book. But I have to agree with some essay where they says the media, hell society has a fix definition of what beauty is and should look like. Even disney movies like Cinderella, snow white, etc..... brings to our children mind what is expect of their physical appearance to be considered attractive. I'll try to mustard courage to finish this book AND I'll finsih by saying I am SORRY to all those women I hurt with my foul words. A change is definitely needed '

I selected this book as a reading for my all-female book club and it was perfect! Because they're short stories, there were many topics that we could use for discussion. It's a great read for a group, or even just for someone who is interested in reading about body image from the perspective of women of color. The stories will make you think!

A good friend recommended this book to me, and even loaned me her copy. Still, I waited nearly two months to pick it up, only to finish it in one weekend! I was absolutely captivated! So many different parts of the different books rang true to me. There are so many loaded, complex issues related to the way that black women see our hair, skin, butts and thighs. Somehow, I thought that I was struggling alone with these issues, but this book showed me that so many of us sufffer through it without feeling that there is ever a safe place to talk about it. Well, these women talk about it. In detail and without an amazing honesty. It spoke to me, and these stories had me thinking about how I negatively I see some of my body parts, and made me realize how important it really is for black women to find a place to talk about these issues and a way heal ourselves. Interested in black sexual identity and politics? This book is a must read. I especially recommend it to book clubs of black women. The topics in this book will make for great, hopefully healing, conversation.

Naked; excellent, relevant and reassuring! The voices embodied in these pages are representative of how every one of us feels at one time or another. The stories of conflict and resolution provide comfort. We are not alone ... we all struggle with the societal pressures of being a woman ... or being woman enough in a society obsessed with unhealthy, unrealistic ideals. Naked is a refreshing spark that encourages thinking about and discussing these issues, putting aside the Always-Strong-Black-Woman image to really begin analyzing and healing our battle scars. I am thankful that the book's contributors had the courage to put their experiences and fears out in the open for the benefit of us all. This book should be required reading for all women but especially for young women on the brink of full on women-hood and mothers of girls.

The woman represented here are diverse, yet I saw my own life in almost every story. The issues of "good" vs "bad" hair. The divisive issue of skin color. Growing up with the self-destructive wishing to be someone different because I did not feel valued as I was. These are stories I have heard over and over again, lived over and over again. Most women of color in the US will find something in these pages that rings true. As women we are defined by our appearance early and often. This truth has created a limbo for most of us, as it has for these women. The stories talk about our invisibility, our vulnerability and our quest to love ourselves in spite of the weight of messages that tell us we not as lovable, sensual, and intellectual because we do not have fair skin and long straight hair. This book is a gift because ultimately the feelings expressed here are universal. We all seek to belong, to feel like we are seen and heard. We desire to love and be loved. Some of these women succeeded despite the weight of the message. Some are still struggling. But, I thank them all for sharing because in reading of their struggle, I took the invitation to revisit my own.