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You Are Your Best Thing
- Vulnerability, Shame Resilience and the Black Experience: An Anthology
- Narrated by: Tarana Burke, Brené Brown, Mirron Willis, Bahni Turpin, JD Jackson, L Morgan Lee
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
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You Are Your Best Thing
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Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.
Tarana Burke and Dr Brené Brown bring together a dynamic group of Black writers, organisers, artists, academics and cultural figures to discuss the topics the two have dedicated their lives to understanding and teaching: vulnerability and shame resilience.
Contributions by Kiese Laymon, Imani Perry, Laverne Cox, Jason Reynolds, Austin Channing Brown and more.
It started as a text between two friends.
Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, texted researcher and writer Brené Brown to see if she was free to jump on a call. Brené assumed that Tarana wanted to talk about wallpaper. They had been trading home decorating inspiration boards in their last text conversation, so Brené started scrolling to find her latest Pinterest pictures when the phone rang.
But it was immediately clear to Brené that the conversation wasn't going to be about wallpaper. Tarana's hello was serious, and she hesitated for a bit before saying, 'Brené, you know your work affected me so deeply, but as a Black woman, I've sometimes had to feel like I have to contort myself to fit into some of your words. The core of it rings so true for me, but the application has been harder.'
Brené replied, 'I'm so glad we're talking about this. It makes sense to me. Especially in terms of vulnerability. How do you take the armour off in a country where you're not physically or emotionally safe?'
Long pause.
'That's why I'm calling,' said Tarana. 'What do you think about working together on a book about the Black experience with vulnerability and shame resilience?'
There was no hesitation.
Burke and Brown are the perfect pair to usher in this stark, potent collection of essays on Black shame and healing. Along with the anthology contributors, they create a space to recognise and process the trauma of white supremacy, a space to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of Black love and Black life.
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What listeners say about You Are Your Best Thing
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ms. Ruth Smith
- 30-04-21
Not for the faint hearted
I don’t quite know how to review this book. It’s so deep and powerful I just want to sit in silence and reflect on each story. Sit in the discomfort.
If you are white, like me, it will be uncomfortable listening. Unless you are not actively listening.
Before I read this book I thought I had grasped a fairly good understanding of the impact of racism on black people (from reading other books about the lived experience). This book has made me feel small, like I know nothing. I feel like I have a new lense and it’s horrible. I want to take it off. And that’s the privilege as a white person that I can if I so choose. It’s humbling.
I would like to thank every person who shared their story. So much vulnerability is shared and I thank them for helping me understand it more as there is no way from my lived experience that I could imagine it.
I’m so sorry that our insecurities have resulted in this system that impacts you so deeply. Sending all the love and a commitment to do better.
14 people found this helpful
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- Lauren O'Neill
- 10-05-21
Breathtaking
Tarana Burke and Brené Brown have carefully and compassionately brought together the exquisitely written, raw and breathtaking experiences of the brave and talented authors. This book, these experiences, have taught me so much about humanity, compassion, vulnerability, shame and strength. It has been a privilege to have been given access to each of the authors deeply personal experiences and I am so grateful for their courage and their aptitude to convey their experiences in such a powerful and life changing manner. This book is an exquisite composition of humanity and compassionate authenticity.
5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kindle Customer
- 04-11-21
Thought-provoking
Although told from an American perspective. Content shared, highlighted the Black experience from various back drops of lived experience. Overall, a refreshingly honest and humble expression of the black experience amongst the whitewash of societal expectations and oppressive force of white his-story
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Vixs
- 10-07-22
Take the time to listen 100% recommended
I listened intently to the individuals who told their stories in this book. Eye opening to say the least!
Recommended 100% - My only wish would be that there should be a series of these….one is not enough.
1 person found this helpful
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- Teresa
- 07-02-22
These stories need to be heard!
This was yet another amazing book from two amazing ladies and all the other authors- thank you
1 person found this helpful
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- Miss L Haze
- 29-12-21
Great book - a wealth of stories
As a black woman I really enjoyed this delve into the myriad of experiences with vulnerability and shame told from the perspective of different black folks. Each essay made for great listening and it's a book you can listen to in nice short segments. The readers were great too, nice to hear a range of voices. I learnt a lot and have had my perspective shifted. A pause after each essay is recommended to reflect on what you've just heard. Brilliant book!
1 person found this helpful
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- Melanie
- 15-07-21
Great combination
Excellent book, you will reflect, feel validated, be inspired.
it is definitely worth a listen.
1 person found this helpful
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- Steph
- 13-02-23
Powerful, moving.
If you have any reservations about this title based on the people who edited this title, or because maybe you aren't American, leave them at the door. Skip the intro if you must and just listen to the essays. The fact that they were read by the writers made this experience all the more impactful. There were a couple of essays that felt like a long running and but the majority of them resonated in me so powerfully that I had to go and order the paperback so I can read it all over again and highlight the messages there. It's rare that I have an urge to read a book right away -- possibly the first time this has happened. I also didn't mind the fact that some of these were advertising. in fact I will certainly be looking up most of the writers featured here and purchasing their books. A brilliant anthology that left me in tears and shook me in the most heart felt way.
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- NTT
- 28-10-22
Exceptional essential reading
Inspirational and thought provoking work. Well worth the listen and should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding the trauma of shame and the black experience.
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- Sally
- 26-10-22
Wow
Gosh, this was moving, enraging, distressing, uplifting… so many things. More than expected. Anything which makes you want to become an activist is a positive, isn’t it? On to finding effective ways to be an ally… Brilliant. Powerful. Thank you.
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- Authentic Buyer
- 04-03-23
Heavy read… be warned.
This is a heavy read. I learnt a lot about some of the feelings navigating on this planet. I was tempted to stop reading as it felt a bit too traumatic… but persevered. I learnt to sit with some of the uncomfortable feelings… it’s worth reading but heavy. I think one must read it with a friend and not alone so one can talk about some of unpack some of negative feelings it unearths. Like most people escapism is one of the key methods I use to cope. But I pushed through… I think it was worth it. But be ready for a heavy read.