Why I Love Black Women

by Michael Eric Dyson

Son and husband, soulmate and teacher, Michael Eric Dyson owes his success to the love and support of the black women in his life. Yet too often, he warns, African American women are the victims of negative stereotypes that dominate the larger culture and even many quarters of black America. It's time to stop viewing black women as scolding sapphires, welfare queens, professional prima donnas-and carping competitors with white women -and to start giving them the respect and the love they deserve.Why I Love Black Women is an act of cultural restoration that rescues black women from vicious rhetoric and irresponsible generalizations. It is a catalogue of virtues, an unapologetically cheerful view of black women that rescues their strengths and beauties from callous denial or cruel indifference. Deeply personal and socially provocative, Dyson singles out the defining virtues of African American women. More than a colored knock-off of "vanilla" virtues, these qualities evoke praise and conjure awe in the face of black women's struggles. In an era marred by bigoted and baleful beliefs about black women-from hip-hop to the pulpit, from the streets to scholarly focus-Dyson offers a welcome reprieve from cultural madness. Why I Love Black Women explodes taboos while it celebrates the perseverance and the pride, the sensuality and the sophistication, of African American women everywhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, African American

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Michael Eric Dyson is an American academic, author, and radio host. He is a professor of sociology at Georgetown University.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is important to extenuate the contributions of Black women in the United States, and for that matter elsewhere. I thought this book had a very positive cross section that pulled from family to academia, and beyond. I also appreciated the accentuation of Black beauty, which is undermined in the corporate media. The only thing I didn't appreciate was that the physical features of all of the women were included. I wish these women’s intellectual and human capabilities were kept separate from their sexuality. I guess I am reading it from a woman’s mind!!

[Darrell Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

He hit it right on the money! After reading this book I started to retrace all the important milestones of my life. I am amazed at how many women have truly helped shaped my world. Wonderful book! I got a lot of thank you letters to write

[Endora harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally a black man who told the truth about why black men hate black women! It is about time.

[Angchronicles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. A great homage to black mothers, sisters, grandmothers, daughters, aunts and nieces. If all men could feel this way.

[Brian TramueL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what I was expecting, just an ok read to me. Appeared to be more about his experiences. Black women just happened to be a part of it.

[KaLan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely enjoyed this book when I read it years ago . Michael Eric Dyson tells a number of stories about famous and familial black women in his life, their beauty and how impactful they were to him. Dyson explains clearly and in a wonderful way, his love for black women entirely. Appreciated this book alot.

[constance brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book that started explaining why black men hated black women i think this was the the first and beginning of that dialogue. We need to continue to talk about what's making black men hate black women. I would like to be a part of that coversation

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book states all the facts about black women being lovable. Black women have the biggest ass and got the biggest lips to suck dick. I fucking love em ✊🏿 BLM.

[Marko · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Why I love Black Women" was a rental from the local library, but it is certainly something that I would buy to add to my collection. It is worth it. Dyson highlights the accomplishments of black women, and reintroduces the true significance of the African American queen; what has been displaced today by contemporary hip hop's raunchy symbolism of black women. He reminds the reader, that intellect can be both recognized and admired, and uses the his fervently expressed testimonies of women like Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison to confirm this. What resonates with me the most is the final chapter of this book. In his last words, Dyson silences any self doubt or lingering self hatred still clouding the minds of black america when he embraces the black body as "the primary means by which we experience the world around us" and coaxes us that it is "through the body we express our God given identities."

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 3 out of 5]

What made me want to read this book is the celebrity reviews it had gotten (i,e Common , Nas, and Danny Glover) I really enjoyed this book it made me proud to be a black woman but what baffled me is how Michael , wanted the woman to be more powerful than the man and even had women preachers - he claimed to be a christian but when I googled him I found that he WAS A PASTOR THAT WAS FOR HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE , AND SHAMED CHRISTIANS THAT WHERE AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE & GAY RELATIONSHIPS . AND after I read that it was hard for me to finish the book =( but it was a great read before I found out what this so called pastor was really about.

[mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed the concept of this book, that dyson is doing a part bio on himself showing how different black women influenced his life and career. i also appreciated that he's actually married to a black woman (who also is discussed in the book). it was interesting learning about the backgrounds of some of the women profiled, such as the owners of Jet and Essence magazines. i was cracking up (and rolling my eyes somewhat) in some parts of the book because you really get a sense of how much he loves black women and their bodies.

[Black Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aside from Dyson overusing the word "Voluptuous" to describe about 70% of the astounding black women featured in the narrative, I found it to be cute.
I learned a lot about realms of black life that as a black female i have not yet encountered such as black religious circles and the church.

It was refreshing to have a series of stories written by a black male about his appreciation and admiration of black women of all formations, something that we do not see all that often, if at all.

[Christopher Clinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, I got this book because of the title and I was not disappointed. Black women are truly strong, graceful and mistreated, displaced and down trodden. The chapters are broken down into vignettes to serve a purpose for the reader to follow along in the progression of the author as he tells of his experiences with women in his life.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Dyson praises the black women and dillegently shows why each woman with each woman whom has made an impact on his life or that he simply admired.

I think it gives young black women several figures to look up and respond to.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Interesting commentary, and inspiring. The book is good for all --- does not matter what you identify your gender as!

[Shawn Moffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and sista's are so underrated.

[Trick]

I learned why I love black women. Before, I only knew THAT I love black women.

[Ramon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a lot about Black History.
I wish that a book focused on why women are beautiful focused less on aesthetics.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dyson told of the women in his life that meant a lot to him. An interesting read.

[Danielle Rose]

Soo far very good! My 12 year old daughter read the intro to me one night before bed and I couldn't put it down since.

[Toshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

PROUD TO BE IN THIS CATEGORY!

[Kristen Jeffers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different than I thought, but in a good way. Here is a man who shows appreciation for all women, yet still knows how to respect and advocate for them.

[Jenee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated reading about his positive experiences with Black women and his appreciation for not only their contribution to society but also for Black people in general.

[Ismoil]

This was great book !

[Melissa Sawyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Michael Eric Dyson... uggggg!!! there were a few chapters that were great, particularly when talking about black women and the pulpit. But I could not help but feel like parts of this book were just too much information and insight into his personal fantasies about black women. It was completely unnecessary to describe the completion and physique of every woman in this book. He literally described the shape of EVERY woman from his elementary school teacher to The Angela Davis. No. Just no. I will be fine if I never read the word 'voluptuous' ever again.

[Drea Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty awesome that Dyson has met and got a chance to work and speak with some powerful black women. My favs were Kimberli Crenshaw and auntie Maxine Waters. Those that stand up for what they believe in and don't back down no matter what! This was a great way to platform all his encounters and how each one influenced him . Glad I had a chance to read this.

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great examination of the importance of Black women in our lives.

[SocialButterfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was informative and interesting. Great read for both men and women!

[Gordon Kwok · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book by Professor Dyson, one of the great intellectuals of our era. Highly recommended for anyone!

[SunnyD]

this guy is not a good writer...even with great subject matter! he uses the same descriptions, repeatedly, and is just not at all interesting in his layout of stories. *yawn*