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Facing the Black Shadow
Why are so many African Americans unhappy in their relationships, in their families and in their own bodies? Facing the Black Shadow is an intimate look at how black families, couples and individuals struggle against the pervasive belief in black inferiority - the "black shadow." This groundbreaking book offers a new way to challenge that belief and move from self-blame and self-hate to understanding and empowerment. Written by Dr. Marlene F. Watson, who is one of the country's foremost African American couple and family therapists, Facing the Black Shadow is filled with memorable stories and examples from her therapy practice and her own personal journey. With unflinching honesty and a tender eye, she tackles some of the most taboo topics in the African American community: skin-tone privilege and favoritism in black families; the long-term effects of the multigenerational legacy of slavery; the self-hate black people feel when they look in the mirror. Far from being a depressing book, Facing the Black Shadow offers a path for wholeness and happiness. Readers will find practical advice, step-by-step exercises and inspiration to transform their relationship to their own "black shadows" and find inner peace, connection and healing.
178 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2013
7 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Marlene F. Watson
2 books5 followersI was the first couple and family therapist ever to receive the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship, consulting to Congress on issues related to mental health and families. In my private practice in the Philadelphia area I work with individuals, couples and families, and I also serve as associate professor and former chair in the Couple and Family Therapy Department at Drexel University. FACING THE BLACK SHADOW is my first book, but I have published many magazine and journal articles, and was a columnist for Heart & Soul Magazine.
Raising awareness about issues of racism is my passion, and I also enjoy collecting African and African American art, and I delight in mentoring African American and multi-racial young adults. I try to live by the words of one of my greatest heroes, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr: “If I can help somebody as I pass along – then my living will not be in vain.” Thank you for reading my book!
Raising awareness about issues of racism is my passion, and I also enjoy collecting African and African American art, and I delight in mentoring African American and multi-racial young adults. I try to live by the words of one of my greatest heroes, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr: “If I can help somebody as I pass along – then my living will not be in vain.” Thank you for reading my book!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 20, 2017
Review
Watson attempts to address an incredibly difficult truth that many African Americans on a daily basis. She approaches the pangs of internalized
racism as trauma which needs to be addressed therapeutically. Unfortunately, her frustration with black teens and poor Blacks dominates the narrative by her incessant use of the "n" word, sounding accusatory and derogatory. It made reading about a terrible assault and its long lasting effect on African Americans even more difficult.
Watson attempts to address an incredibly difficult truth that many African Americans on a daily basis. She approaches the pangs of internalized
racism as trauma which needs to be addressed therapeutically. Unfortunately, her frustration with black teens and poor Blacks dominates the narrative by her incessant use of the "n" word, sounding accusatory and derogatory. It made reading about a terrible assault and its long lasting effect on African Americans even more difficult.
May 15, 2024
This is an eye-opening book! Wonderful read!
October 23, 2013
FACING THE BLACK SHADOW is the 2013 Readers' Favorite Silver Medal Award Winner!
"Facing the Black Shadow" by Marlene F Watson is an honest and semi-confessional book that brings to light the plight of African Americans. Most of the topics that are taboo to discuss like slavery, the ghettos, N-word and self rejection are dealt with honestly by the author. The author is also an African American and a family therapist which has enabled her to go to the psyche of many such people who dislike their color and detest living in their bodies. The book takes us deep into the world of African Americans who are looked down upon because of their dark skin and how they struggle to make it among the fair skinned. It also talks about the wounds caused on their psyche due to the behavior and attitudes of the people.
"Facing the Black Shadow" fills your mind with empathy for all the African Americans. It makes us look at them with a whole new perspective. The intensity of their feelings has been dealt with very well. The book also has the author's personal stories plus some interesting stories and therapy sessions. Self hatred and self blaming has been dealt with understanding in the book. The author also gives some steps for healing for the people to come out of their own shadows and face the world with a positive attitude. The book is motivating, inspiring and uplifting. The book also has a Self Rejection Quiz and some family exercises. The book ends on a positive note affirming transforming, self healing and finding inner peace.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
"Facing the Black Shadow" by Marlene F Watson is an honest and semi-confessional book that brings to light the plight of African Americans. Most of the topics that are taboo to discuss like slavery, the ghettos, N-word and self rejection are dealt with honestly by the author. The author is also an African American and a family therapist which has enabled her to go to the psyche of many such people who dislike their color and detest living in their bodies. The book takes us deep into the world of African Americans who are looked down upon because of their dark skin and how they struggle to make it among the fair skinned. It also talks about the wounds caused on their psyche due to the behavior and attitudes of the people.
"Facing the Black Shadow" fills your mind with empathy for all the African Americans. It makes us look at them with a whole new perspective. The intensity of their feelings has been dealt with very well. The book also has the author's personal stories plus some interesting stories and therapy sessions. Self hatred and self blaming has been dealt with understanding in the book. The author also gives some steps for healing for the people to come out of their own shadows and face the world with a positive attitude. The book is motivating, inspiring and uplifting. The book also has a Self Rejection Quiz and some family exercises. The book ends on a positive note affirming transforming, self healing and finding inner peace.
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
April 4, 2014
A well-deserved winner of the Silver Medal for the Readers' Favorites Awards, this is a book that should be read by everyone in America, and especially African Americans. It explains how the multigenerational legacy of slavery still impacts all of us in our deepest psyches through the enduring lie that black is inferior to white. There are profound truths in this book that can help us all grow into more compassionate and happy human beings.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews