The Blackwoman's Guide to Understanding the Blackman

by Shahrazad Ali

The Blackwoman's Guide to Understanding the Blackman

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, African American, Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, Relationships

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Suave Marve · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book is VERY misleading......It should be called "the keys to a successful marriage and family in the black community!" While it centers around the female's part in the relationship it also shows the men's roles. It clarifies and confirms how both parties have gone wrong and shows the necessary steps to getting things back on track...I agree with 95% of the things in this book......If anyone gives this book a bad rating they either didn't really read it or was turned off by the title.

[LAKESHA GRAYSON · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for both black men and women alike. I agree with about 90% of what Dr Ali has expressed. Black women this book will make you take a hard look at yourselves! You will either reject it or be willing to make changes in your life to better you and your relationship with our black men!!

[Misse Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sexist. Very sexist ideals. It was hard at times to get through this book. This book is what happens, in my opinion, when men decide they are the authority and women are somehow incapable of governing themselves.

I do wonder how this book and message would read if it were written today.

[Don · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'd say this book was a good laugh if I didn't think that there were people who took it seriously and attempted to implement its bizarre ideas in their lives.

[Introverted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've owned this book for a few years and every now and then i use it for reference. This book is so on point. The editing is not all that great but overall this book is the truth. It does not talk about all blackwomen but what it does is tell you what to look out for. The only people who call it trash and hate this book are the very kind of women that are mentioned in this book. Read the book for yourself and utilize the knowledge. This book is for blackmen only so for a blackwoman who thinks eurocentrically to give her opinion on it is totally irrelevant because she can deny it all day but it is truth, there is already a civil war of sexes between blackmen and blackwomen. Brothas do not be turned off by the reviews of the women because it is not for them. This is not about how to please the blackwomen, this is a guide to identifying the kind of blackwoman you should not involve yourself with and you will recall the kind of women you have dealt with or are dealing with when you began reading this book.

[perez carlos]

very good book every black man should read

[Ronald Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Black man should read this book to better understand our black sisters. Had to read book twice, at times very painful but true statements made

[Born Uhuru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shahrazad Ali dropped a bold and powerful jewel for both African men and women in the 90s. A lot of the stuff was ignored and yes we are still trying to figure out a answer to our displacement in the world. We were given tools. If we want to spark unity, peace and harmony amongst our own then we must finally comprehend what Shahrazad says in this book in order to trod forward. Blackman+BlackWoman=Peace, Loyalty, Harmony, Wisdom and we fix the world.

The world is out of place because WE are out of place.

[R.A. Bentinck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only for the serious and objective reader.

[Kevin Dufresne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi,

I hope all is progressing well.

The Blackman's Guide to Understanding the Blackwoman by Shahrazad Ali is a book that can be easy to laugh at and/or/then slowly crawl into one's self about. I purchase the book after a conversation at a gym with a gentleman showing enthusiasm for the text. The title seems to only suit the text due to references of slavery though I feel anyone may be able to actually connect certain aspects of the author's observances to reality. I find the author is attempting to empower and protect families, heterosexual relationships, thinking for one's self responsibly especially in relation to romance, living healthy(ier) lifestyles conducive to good growth, and reasonably living in an ever changing world (at large) in which one must stand for good, not just agree with any and every passing development seeping in harmful ways toward future generations. I'm glad about reading the text.

Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne
www.Piatures.com
IG: @Dufreshest

[Greyling Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? It was awesome. Seriously, this was one of the most amazing, in-depth views of African-American family life that I've ever read. This book is so prophetic. And not much amazes me anymore these days. The same general characteristics of African-American women displayed in that book back then are seen even today. As old as this book is now, I would still recommend this book to anyone, of any race, of any age!

[Jojo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Let’s us in on how the BW operates. This was an eye opener. Shahrazad Ali Takes time to breakdown everything that is going on from their perspective to give us insight on the plight of black women.

[Toni Reign Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It challenges how you think and encourages boundaries. There are some hard truths and some things that I don't necessarily agree with, but the overall basis of love, family, and respect is the message.

[Rashita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for the black community in efforts to mend the tragic psychological damage that slavery caused when dealing with the "black family."

[Chiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever

[Terrell Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatest book on black relationships and problems we have ever

[Mat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book to help you to become a better mother better wife To your partner

[Ernest Imade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful, it’s actually helped my perspective/vision on dating.

[Brian Avant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've ever read.I first read it when it came out and it's content has continued to ring true in 2015. She lays bare all the games, insecurities, mind games, emotional diarrhea, etc... Gives context to a lot of the manipulation within a given Black relationship... MUST READ!!!

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may be hard for some people to read or hear, but Ms. Shahrazad Ali's points are valid. I don't agree with everything that was said in this book, but most of it was spot on. I think this is a must read for every "black" woman and man.

[Nikita Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read! The provides great understanding of how to value the Blackman, as well as their role in society. The impact the Blackman has on the black family. Understanding how the government has major negative impact in the black families, as well as the black community as a whole.

[Denitra Crowder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe the information was good, especially in the beginning. Towards the end, I feel that it was more common sense but also common sense isn’t common. I definitely recommend reading. Not just for women but men. Men need to understand what they do so they can change. We need to understand why they do so we can aid in the change.

[Aaron Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a classic!!!

[Kevin Dufresne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi,

I hope all is progressing well.

(Note: Excuse my use of the term Black, a racially sensitive term which I think has too many connotations [like the term White] which may deter individuals from recognizing aspects of humanity humanely, reasonably due to the historical connotations to each term [like I feel of any racial term, not all minds discern the same]. I use the term in reviews of Shahrazad Ali's works particularly because she uses the term Black extensively throughout the two texts of which I'm familiar that have the term in their titles as well as due to her connections to the historical racial aspects of the term Black throughout the texts. I may intermittently use the phraseology I prefer in my life—individuals of African descent—in this review].)

The Blackwoman's Guide to Understanding the Blackman by Shahrazad Ali is like a walk to somewhere good (particularly concerning aspects of being a Black man historically toward establishing positive developments of/for society at large through individuals of African descent primarily in/of America) from the mid-20th century with sentiments seemingly more in line progressing toward the latter portion of the 20th century though very relevant to consider progressing into modernity (keep in mind, the author covers a larger span of history connecting to individuals of African descent prior to the 20th century throughout the text though focuses heavily on progress from the mid-20th century). Reading the text, I feel like I'm on a long walk with an individual that makes a lot of sense with a lot of information that needs making sense of toward progress for individuals of African descent. Considering America's current economical resemblance beyond ethnicity to the mid/latter-20th century though in instances intwining with ethnicity socially—her very relevant points concern establishing good family, good community, sound economy, and good loving beyond racial expectations/stereotypes.

Even more so, the author is doing more than making a case for Black Americans though for a greater society at large of individuals living sound economical, clean, good lives by highlighting/demystifying societal elements (particularly historically) which may not benefit progress for any individual/group at large (particularly through aspects of being a Black man historically toward establishing positive developments of/for society at large through individuals of African descent primarily in/of America [extending abroad]) toward a better functioning society at large. Like The Blackman's Guide to Understanding the Blackwoman, I chuckle at the author's sensibilities, unable to deny comicality—comedy—in her tongue in cheek style of writing conveying reason toward a better society at large. She's a good troublemaker with arguable points of which to consider (some more or less than others, one more or less than another—to me). I feel like I'm reading the text of a woman that's just paying attention well to society she cares about though can only do so much to help and has—at the core of her advice beyond raciality—arguably sound advice to share.

Onward and Upward,
Kevin Dufresne

[Sierra Ayonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book because I was able to take in aspects of myself and learn how I think about the world, in more detail. The book was insightful and did well with describing how the black woman interacts among family members and in a relationship. I enjoyed becoming more critical of my own behavior and learning how to undo negative thinking. This book has helped me to grow, I will say that it is not recommended for anyone who is not ready to grow because it does have some sections that are triggering.

Some of her perspectives are bias, she is a Muslim and does critique Christianity. I love her take on morals, but some things can be extreme. It was hard for me to read through the last section when she discusses black men needing another woman, I don't believe in polyamory so that perspective of accepting a black man's nature was challenging for me. I did love her take on a black woman's need to heal her insecurities that have been ingrained since childhood. I do believe that healing insecurities is important but it doesn't necessarily mean that one has to be accepting of polyamory.

[True Sankofa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came out in 1990. If applied for correction could have prevented a lot of nonsense going on today. So many jewels and shows how crazed some Black women are that say they want to be independent in all facets of life yet married which do not mix.

[Fif]

Who has a pdf version of this book and also the other one,and would like to email it for me? Fijefakramp@gmail.com

[Hafid Tiloulout · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Cheryl Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I didn't agree with absolutely everything in the book which is why I only gave it 4 stars instead of 5, I thought this was an EXCELLENT book and a must-read for Black men and women.

[Shaneda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takes a lot of rereading to see her point of view, maybe if the delivery was a little different it would have been a little easier of a read.