Nobody knows the trouble I've seen The emotional lives of Black women

In this excellent debut, clinical psychologist Burnett-Zeigler provides a road map to help Black women find "a healthy balance between strength and vulnerability." She begins by articulating the connections between systemic racism and sexism, generational and childhood trauma, and the prevalence of negative individual physical and mental health outcomes for Black women. Blending personal anecdotes, case studies, and questions for reflection, Burnett-Zeigler helps readers identify if they are acting "from a space of trauma"--such as by using common coping mechanisms like embracing a facade of "being strong--and to envision proactive choices instead. In the book's second half, she addresses obstacles Black women face in accessing and making the most of mental health treatment--such as lack of coverage and skepticism toward practices--and provides tips for dealing with both. Ultimately, Burnett-Zeigler demonstrates how the idea of the "strong Black woman" can be both helpful and harmful, and lays out ways for readers to eliminate "what no longer serves" them. This thorough analysis effectively pulls back the curtain on the emotional and health barriers Black women face to suggest practical strategies for change. (June)

A clinical psychologist looks at the interior lives of Black women. Burnett-Zeigler sets out to "examine the parts of the strong Black woman prototype that continue to serve us--such as compassion, loving care for others, community orientation, determination, resilience, self-assuredness, faith in God, joyfulness--while leaving behind the parts that no longer serve us--suppressing emotion, denying our needs, [and] being reluctant to set boundaries." Religion is central to the author's view of Black women and her worldview in general. She describes her own experience of becoming a Christian in detail, and across the 256-page text, the word "God" appears more than 60 times. She notes that 83% of Black adults say that they believe in God, and 73% say that they pray daily. Her narrative is rife with platitudes ("we have to wipe our tears aside and keep it moving") and generalizations that exclude many nonreligious Black women: "Above all, [Black women] never forget to give praise and honor to God for all that He has done for them." In one shocking passage, the author presents Halle Berry's suicidal thoughts as a cautionary tale, with suicide and loss of faith in God deemed "one of the deadliest sins in the Black community." To write that "Scripture also promises punishment if one harms oneself" reads as harsh and--especially coming from a mental health professional--irresponsible. Conspicuously absent is any mention of sex other than sexual trauma, violence, and dysfunction, and Burnett-Zeigler also ignores Black LGBQT+ women: "Today's strong Black women are climbing professional ladders, while also taking care of their husbands, children, and extended family members." Some Black Christian heterosexual women may find encouragement and validation in these pages, but this "guidebook for healing" offers more proselytizing than comfort. Barely scratches the surface of the emotional complexities of Black womanhood. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.