What Mama Couldn't Tell Us About Love: Healing the Emotional Legacy of Racism by Celebrating Our Light

by Brenda Lane Richardson, Brenda Wade

“A wonderful gift to Black women. . . . Richardson and Wade, with pens dipped in abundant love, gracefully advise us as to the lessons of the past we must embrace and those we must discard, if we are to achieve true self-empowerment and emotional liberation.” — Darlene Clark Hine, Ph.D., coauthor of A Shining Thread of The History of Black Women in America In this provocative rethinking of the African American woman's experience, Brenda Lane Richardson and Dr. Brenda Wade ask their Black American sisters to consider this "What lessons about love and intimacy were passed down from your foremothers to you?" By exploring the emotional legacy shared by all African American women whose ancestors were enslaved, the authors examine the impact of this history on romantic relationships between today's Black women and men—and reveal how the power of inherited beliefs can both heal and strengthen these bonds. This remarkably uplifting book will show you how to move toward the emotional freedom you seek. It offers spiritual wisdom from well-known African Americans, ways of enhancing the coping skills and strengths your forebears harnessed to help them survive, and the certainty that emotional emancipation is your birthright. Mama may not have told you all this in so many words—but there is no doubt that she would want you to use the positive messages inherent in the African American experience to create a better life.

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Lametra Off · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. The authors provided insight with evidence.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I can use over and over as a reference book to help me deal with situations I encounter as an African American woman.

[Maurita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the description, I knew that I was going to love this book. I was still unexpectedly surprised with its greatness. I love the historical aspect of it that crosses many three lives of many Black women. I can see how this is being portrayed in my life currently and the generations in my family that see coming up. I’ve shared this book among these generations and friends for us to discuss how much our life is impacted by these historical elements.

[Relle Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! A must read for Black women on their healing journey.

[Stacy-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good book to read if you want to develop your self more. It shows how the past can help you in the here and now as well as identify your inherited strengths, it deals with emotional pain. Examines our emotional legacy, a legacy of feelings and beliefs that developed from our collective experience beginning with the kidnapping of our African Ancestors when they were dragged in chains, it also deals on the Jim crow laws.

A step further, It acknowledges the hidden belief system that frow out of slavery and shows how those beliefs are reinforced and how they interfere with self-esteem and love.

[Likkia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the historical information enlightening. I wasn’t comfortable with all of the exercises but I’m not sure you always need to do the exercises. I’m definitely passing this book along to someone I think could benefit.

[Amber Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting self-help book. Dr Richardson guides you at a gentle pace to uncover deep rooted issues. It was refreshing having a self-help book given context to racism and how this affects our relationships

[CKE387 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting how a collective past has such impact on modern behavior.