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Two Sides To A Man: The Silent Battles Of A Black Man
The aim of the book is to help black men get out of their heads and speak out about their internal struggles and not fall victim to the stigmatizing concept of shame. Topics covered in this book that affects a black man's mental health Though this book is dedicated to black men, it is also open to mothers, girlfriends, wife's and sisters to understand and recognize the silent struggles the men in their lives can face. I want this book to bring awareness and healing.
145 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2022
13 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
O. Diaz
3 books2 followersO.Diaz born (June 1997) also known as Olivia Diaz is a British-Ghanaian Author and Real Estate Entrepreneur. O.Diaz is commonly known for her debut book "Two Sides To A Man - The Silent Battles Of A Black Man" which was released in the year 2022. Her debut book managed to generate interest due to its prime focus on aiding Black mental health. Two Sides To A Man is currently listed on all major book retailers, allowing her to make a mark in the book world.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 21, 2022
To sides to a man is a very interesting read. I enjoyed the depths explored when considering the mental complexity of African American males. It hit many major points correctly from our personal beliefs of ourselves to the assumed perspective of others. In many ways the book was a light in the dark, and with a female author you realize that a black male can be correctly understood.
Although as a black man living this book real time, many of the points are instant triggers that can spin you out of control. This would probably only happen to other black males since we are the focal point of the book. The situations are very real for us and the possible solutions by the author seem heaven sent, but the harsh reality is that this book is a fairy tale.
The fact that a female author can capture the essence of black males in American society and understand so well what we go through, shows that more non black males understand us than we give credit. The idea of a “safe space” for black men has become the new social trend. The way for people to profit from real pain and emotional trauma we face daily. Others weaponize the black male psychology as a means to control and manipulate us.
Personally I have a female dominant community and no “safe places” exist, yet all of the women around “understand” and want to help. Reading this book for me has caused me to be more silent and dismissive, but more vicious with my words, because now I know that my community understands and cares not.
Had I known such a well written book would have given me a taste so sweet of what my experience should be as a black male, I would have avoided it. The pain suffered between dream and reality is a hard burden to bare. This book provides realistic solutions, hope, love, and encouragement to the forgotten. Although in everyday experiences you will find it only to be words on a page.
The author went so far as to use real conversations with black males to shed light. So nothing she says is make believe, the worst part is without knowing any of the other men. The experience for us has been the same. In my mind I realize there is no escaping this hell. So as a reader you will find comfort in the authors response’s and possibly become more effective at self soothing your mental.
I can say that it would be amazing to experience a mental healthy life from the fantasy world the author created. Having “safe spaces” inside and outside one’s community. Being loved, wanted, and uplifted, rather than tolerated, ignored, belittled, judged, overlooked, unworthy, and a host of other things.
By the end of this book I was conflicted. In a few chapters I experienced my whole life again. If the reader is a black male, currently dealing with issues presented in this book and you have no outlet. Proceed with caution, although you will find insight and answers, do not expect results. Use this resource as a way to manage yourself and be a member of your community accordingly.
Although as a black man living this book real time, many of the points are instant triggers that can spin you out of control. This would probably only happen to other black males since we are the focal point of the book. The situations are very real for us and the possible solutions by the author seem heaven sent, but the harsh reality is that this book is a fairy tale.
The fact that a female author can capture the essence of black males in American society and understand so well what we go through, shows that more non black males understand us than we give credit. The idea of a “safe space” for black men has become the new social trend. The way for people to profit from real pain and emotional trauma we face daily. Others weaponize the black male psychology as a means to control and manipulate us.
Personally I have a female dominant community and no “safe places” exist, yet all of the women around “understand” and want to help. Reading this book for me has caused me to be more silent and dismissive, but more vicious with my words, because now I know that my community understands and cares not.
Had I known such a well written book would have given me a taste so sweet of what my experience should be as a black male, I would have avoided it. The pain suffered between dream and reality is a hard burden to bare. This book provides realistic solutions, hope, love, and encouragement to the forgotten. Although in everyday experiences you will find it only to be words on a page.
The author went so far as to use real conversations with black males to shed light. So nothing she says is make believe, the worst part is without knowing any of the other men. The experience for us has been the same. In my mind I realize there is no escaping this hell. So as a reader you will find comfort in the authors response’s and possibly become more effective at self soothing your mental.
I can say that it would be amazing to experience a mental healthy life from the fantasy world the author created. Having “safe spaces” inside and outside one’s community. Being loved, wanted, and uplifted, rather than tolerated, ignored, belittled, judged, overlooked, unworthy, and a host of other things.
By the end of this book I was conflicted. In a few chapters I experienced my whole life again. If the reader is a black male, currently dealing with issues presented in this book and you have no outlet. Proceed with caution, although you will find insight and answers, do not expect results. Use this resource as a way to manage yourself and be a member of your community accordingly.
May 15, 2022
4.5⭐️
I will say when I started this book I didn’t truly grasp what all I was getting myself into. That being said, I truly appreciated the factual content in this book. I appreciated all of the points of causes for trauma and mental battles that black men go through, stemming from our history as a black community (from slavery to systemic racism to the “black household” to sexual pressures) to current how black men are viewed every day.
Lots of great talking points for a group discussion and even considering being a vulnerable space for the black men in your lives.
The few things I wish were added or different, this is not a jab at the author I again really appreciated this book and everything I learned. But I do wish we had maybe a males point of view or co-author of some sort. And that is just simply a woman writing from the lens of what a man feels and what he’s going through, we can really only understand and grasp so much. Also I was hoping a chapter highlighting members of the LGBTQIA community is something that would definitely enhance this book.
I will say when I started this book I didn’t truly grasp what all I was getting myself into. That being said, I truly appreciated the factual content in this book. I appreciated all of the points of causes for trauma and mental battles that black men go through, stemming from our history as a black community (from slavery to systemic racism to the “black household” to sexual pressures) to current how black men are viewed every day.
Lots of great talking points for a group discussion and even considering being a vulnerable space for the black men in your lives.
The few things I wish were added or different, this is not a jab at the author I again really appreciated this book and everything I learned. But I do wish we had maybe a males point of view or co-author of some sort. And that is just simply a woman writing from the lens of what a man feels and what he’s going through, we can really only understand and grasp so much. Also I was hoping a chapter highlighting members of the LGBTQIA community is something that would definitely enhance this book.
March 14, 2022
Really enjoyed this read!
March 14, 2022
I’ve never seen many books that I could relate to. I have to say I really am impressed. I won’t leave any spoilers you have to read this for yourself!
December 28, 2023
A must read for men of color
December 4, 2025
A quick read. I feel every black man should read this & absorb the words. Every woman should read this too so they can understand the struggles of black men too.
Insightful & powerful.
Insightful & powerful.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews