What do you think?
Rate this book
Dear Self: A Year In The Life Of A Welfare Mother
Ms. Mitchell was born in the rural south, the daughter of an African American sharecropper. She would venture to the northern ghetto of Philadelphia to enhance her educational opportunities. Hence, her early life was shaped by the twin forces defining African American life in the Twentieth Century, the rural south and the urban north. An honor student in high school, Ms. Mitchell's promising academic career was curtailed by an eventually failed marriage that led to a set of circumstances which rendered her a single mother of seven children living in a sprawling public housing project in New Britain, Connecticut. Forced to deal with the humiliation of public assistance, she chronicled a year of her life, 1973, in this penetrating journal. This book is a valuable resource for all of those seeking to understand the reality faced by millions of Americans whose plight rarely finds an informed and articulate voice such as that possessed by Ms. Mitchell. Though written over thirty years ago, her intimate experience with and intricate insights into the reality faced by an expanding American underclass are as relevant today as they were then. She sheds an informing and penetrating light on race relations, poverty, mothering, gender relations and many other pertinent issues.
- GenresMemoir
448 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2007
2 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 15, 2008
See my review at NewIslamicDirections.com
It was the year 1973; the Vietnam War was officially over and Watergate was to begin. Pink Floyd’s, Dark Side of the Moon, was the coveted album of the year, reggae music was launched and bell-bottoms were all the rage.
Dear Self: A Year in the Life of a Welfare Mother, chronicles the journal of a young African American mother struggling to raise her seven children amidst the crushing poverty of housing projects, impassive public policy and deep-rooted discrimination. Restricted by unfortunate circumstance, 39-year old Richelene Mitchell expresses her intense literary yearning and activist awareness by writing letters to herself.
An open and moving memoir of the trials and platitudes of life, Dear Self is very likely the first literary work of its kind. Narrations in crystalline prose tell of a system that snares it’s most vulnerable; of endless poverty and sacrifice, hope and conflict, societal prejudices and a precarious health condition endured in secret. Her dignity and intellect unrepressed by her economic and social status, Richelene’s hopes and dreams falter with her tenuous hold on life. She writes how spirit-breaking ‘adequate’ can be, stretching pennies and food stamps for her children and trying to keep a warm home.
Richelene also fleetingly dares to dream, expectations tempered by her place in life and patiently borrows from the hope she sees in the future of her children. In search of betterment, she finds resilience, joy and gratitude in her children, in her books and writing, her bowling league and in being useful to those around her.
A fervent reader and observer of popular culture, Richelene’s writings are infused with her love for literature and poetry. In the pre-internet era and without access to an expensive education, Richelene’s vast knowledge and quick wit are exceptional gifts that do not go unnoticed. Already controversial in her time for her outspoken letter writing to various newspaper editors and politicians, Richelene may have very likely become a celebrated, groundbreaking blogger in our world today.
Dear Self is also a story of inner, personal turmoil of the nafs or self. Faced with hardship, humiliation and unyielding loneliness, Richelene struggles to uphold her self-worth and to make the right choices for herself and her children. She longs for companionship and affection but remains firm against the many suitors that come calling. There cannot be passion and companionship without commitment and stability. This is among the many lessons Richelene imparts to us from a bracing self-knowledge that comes with the most shattering of life experiences: divorce, loss, illness and loneliness.
Though penned almost 35 years ago, the message of this award-winning book is still clear and astoundingly relevant. With a foreword written by her first-born son Imam Zaid Shakir, American Muslim scholar, professor and writer, Dear Self is a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the exhausting reality of the dark corners and sharp edges of poverty in America. A reality that continues to be faced by millions of American people, whose quiet plight is rarely heard or voiced in such articulate and graceful words.
With a forward by Imam Zaid Shakir, american Scholar, professor and writer. Available at NewIslamicDirections.com
It was the year 1973; the Vietnam War was officially over and Watergate was to begin. Pink Floyd’s, Dark Side of the Moon, was the coveted album of the year, reggae music was launched and bell-bottoms were all the rage.
Dear Self: A Year in the Life of a Welfare Mother, chronicles the journal of a young African American mother struggling to raise her seven children amidst the crushing poverty of housing projects, impassive public policy and deep-rooted discrimination. Restricted by unfortunate circumstance, 39-year old Richelene Mitchell expresses her intense literary yearning and activist awareness by writing letters to herself.
An open and moving memoir of the trials and platitudes of life, Dear Self is very likely the first literary work of its kind. Narrations in crystalline prose tell of a system that snares it’s most vulnerable; of endless poverty and sacrifice, hope and conflict, societal prejudices and a precarious health condition endured in secret. Her dignity and intellect unrepressed by her economic and social status, Richelene’s hopes and dreams falter with her tenuous hold on life. She writes how spirit-breaking ‘adequate’ can be, stretching pennies and food stamps for her children and trying to keep a warm home.
Richelene also fleetingly dares to dream, expectations tempered by her place in life and patiently borrows from the hope she sees in the future of her children. In search of betterment, she finds resilience, joy and gratitude in her children, in her books and writing, her bowling league and in being useful to those around her.
A fervent reader and observer of popular culture, Richelene’s writings are infused with her love for literature and poetry. In the pre-internet era and without access to an expensive education, Richelene’s vast knowledge and quick wit are exceptional gifts that do not go unnoticed. Already controversial in her time for her outspoken letter writing to various newspaper editors and politicians, Richelene may have very likely become a celebrated, groundbreaking blogger in our world today.
Dear Self is also a story of inner, personal turmoil of the nafs or self. Faced with hardship, humiliation and unyielding loneliness, Richelene struggles to uphold her self-worth and to make the right choices for herself and her children. She longs for companionship and affection but remains firm against the many suitors that come calling. There cannot be passion and companionship without commitment and stability. This is among the many lessons Richelene imparts to us from a bracing self-knowledge that comes with the most shattering of life experiences: divorce, loss, illness and loneliness.
Though penned almost 35 years ago, the message of this award-winning book is still clear and astoundingly relevant. With a foreword written by her first-born son Imam Zaid Shakir, American Muslim scholar, professor and writer, Dear Self is a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the exhausting reality of the dark corners and sharp edges of poverty in America. A reality that continues to be faced by millions of American people, whose quiet plight is rarely heard or voiced in such articulate and graceful words.
With a forward by Imam Zaid Shakir, american Scholar, professor and writer. Available at NewIslamicDirections.com
June 29, 2007
This is real difficult to read, emotionally. At the same time, it's one of those books I couldn't put down, and took me a few days to read at a little over 400 pages! So it definitely was good. It's a sad, happy, interesting, real book. If you really want to learn to count your blessings, this is a book that will shed light on how to do that. The found the author, Richelene, to be super compelling, patient, and compassionate. So go out and read it!
August 10, 2015
Written by Imam Zaid Shakir's mother during the year of 1973. Fitting perhaps that I finished reading it on Mother's Day. Generally, it is about her personal struggles, circumstances, and dreams of a better life. Tragically, the reader knows that she will live only until March 27, 1975, another year and a few months after she stops writing her “Dear Self” letters. It is tempting to be overcome with a sense of existential gloom, but that would sell short the larger picture: that Richelene Mitchell’s dreams and values live on in the children she raised and that her year of introspection found its way to publication after all, thirty four years later. To me, validation that life's true meaning is derived from what we give away of ourselves.
The book’s great value comes from its authenticity as a window into the life of a black welfare mother in the 1970s, divorced with seven children. Her commentary on social issues and public policy remain relevant four decades later as we continue to struggle with issues of race, poverty, health care and other so-called entitlement programs. I find her personal struggle with race to be particularly telling, offering a brutally honest insight into the barriers of mistrust that many Black Americans probably continue to have for Whites in spite of the apparent progress our society has made in this area. One can only speculate how her life might have been different (if not extended!) if she had had unfettered access to the health care she secretly needed. Issues such as these are interspersed amidst the events of her daily life, thereby adding the personal context needed to put these matters into a more responsible humane perspective.
The book’s great value comes from its authenticity as a window into the life of a black welfare mother in the 1970s, divorced with seven children. Her commentary on social issues and public policy remain relevant four decades later as we continue to struggle with issues of race, poverty, health care and other so-called entitlement programs. I find her personal struggle with race to be particularly telling, offering a brutally honest insight into the barriers of mistrust that many Black Americans probably continue to have for Whites in spite of the apparent progress our society has made in this area. One can only speculate how her life might have been different (if not extended!) if she had had unfettered access to the health care she secretly needed. Issues such as these are interspersed amidst the events of her daily life, thereby adding the personal context needed to put these matters into a more responsible humane perspective.
December 5, 2007
I first came across this book quite by accident. I was in the library looking for a new and good read, and this just popped up in my hand. When I read the title, it intrigued me to get it, so I did. I wasn't able to get it that day, but as soon as I could get to the library, I did get it and sat down to read it, and I tell you I am quite impressed with it. Back in 1972, Richeline Mitchell made a New Year's resolution to keep a diary, which she named Dear Self. In it, she talked about raising her seven children mainly by welfare, and how inadequate it was to feed them(something we are or have experienced)on food stamps. Her wishes to get a job that could supplement what she got. getting regular seizures, her constant letters to the editor of her local paper when she got upset about a certain article or situation that occurred. And most musings. She gave to the Epilepsy Association in hopes that they would find a cure that would help her as well. She loved and read The Reader's Digest from cover to cover. She also loved and raved on Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking. She also read books on the occult and other interests that caught her fancy. Very insightful, well written and reflective. Sadly, Mrs Mitchell died in 1975 from an anuerysm, but her journal lives on.
October 19, 2007
There are so many things to say about this book. It was a wonderful perspective, that many of us do not have access to. I learned so much about poverty, race relations, raising children, and so much more.
It was fun to read about Imam Zaid when he was a teenager. The most profound parts of those sections is when his mother reflects on what he will come to be as an adult. She wonders what he will contribute to society. I cried at times thinking about how much Imam Zaid means to so many people, and how much he affects this world. His mothers wish come true.
It was fun to read about Imam Zaid when he was a teenager. The most profound parts of those sections is when his mother reflects on what he will come to be as an adult. She wonders what he will contribute to society. I cried at times thinking about how much Imam Zaid means to so many people, and how much he affects this world. His mothers wish come true.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews