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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
For me this is one of the better mixes between anecdotes and stats as well as broad perspectives of the similar books I have got through.
I am not a black girl but I am a black person who is for the most part seen as a black girl so reading this made sense to me.
I really appreciated the interviews and research that went into this book. It was overwhelming at times but genuinely informative and useful. As much as I hate the facts, they’re useful to have and to know. This book is packed with information, statistics, anecdotes and real life experience of what it’s like to be a black girl while also being easy to read and understand. I think often books like this can try to sugar coat things in order to inspire its audience but this book doesn’t do that. It’s truthful but still offers hope. A lot of the examples and people interviewed for the book are that hope which I enjoyed reading. There are so many successful black women!
There was lots to enjoy about Slay in Your Lane as a young black brit. Things felt relatable and it felt like people I know. This is (un)surprisingly one of very few books that have felt like that to me. The interviews were especially great because of the variety of women interviewed.
My only gripe was that I kept waiting for this book to acknowledge the existence of any other intersections black girls & women may experience. There are small mentions of poverty and mental health but not as systemic barriers in the way that blackness and misogyny are mentioned. I acknowledge the authors had their own limitations as there is no universal black girl experience but I thought the interviews were brilliant and could have been a good way of introducing other intersections. Because of this there were 2 chapters I found myself skimming because they were completely irrelevant to me. This is the only thing that let this book down for me. Otherwise it would’ve been 5 stars.
I really appreciated the interviews and research that went into this book. It was overwhelming at times but genuinely informative and useful. As much as I hate the facts, they’re useful to have and to know. This book is packed with information, statistics, anecdotes and real life experience of what it’s like to be a black girl while also being easy to read and understand. I think often books like this can try to sugar coat things in order to inspire its audience but this book doesn’t do that. It’s truthful but still offers hope. A lot of the examples and people interviewed for the book are that hope which I enjoyed reading. There are so many successful black women!
There was lots to enjoy about Slay in Your Lane as a young black brit. Things felt relatable and it felt like people I know. This is (un)surprisingly one of very few books that have felt like that to me. The interviews were especially great because of the variety of women interviewed.
My only gripe was that I kept waiting for this book to acknowledge the existence of any other intersections black girls & women may experience. There are small mentions of poverty and mental health but not as systemic barriers in the way that blackness and misogyny are mentioned. I acknowledge the authors had their own limitations as there is no universal black girl experience but I thought the interviews were brilliant and could have been a good way of introducing other intersections. Because of this there were 2 chapters I found myself skimming because they were completely irrelevant to me. This is the only thing that let this book down for me. Otherwise it would’ve been 5 stars.
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I know what you're thinking. 'Girl, you are white? This book isn't for you' - and you would be correct. But, here's the thing. Black women do not need to read this to be educated. They are already living these experiences, and facing these struggles on the daily. Black women should (and will) read this for the affirmation and validation it will provide their experiences, for the sense of inclusive solidarity it provides, and for the practical advice shared throughout by an array of successful, inspirational black women.
White people on the other hand, should read this to be educated. In the same way I'd urge every male who questions the prevalence of sexism in our society to read Laura Bates' Everyday Sexism, I would encourage all white people who still question the scale of racism to read Slay In Your Lane. Even though this is not written for us, we can still learn from it, and anyone who considers themselves an intersectional feminist needs to be aware of the specific challenges black women face throughout all facets of life, and the extent to which sexism and racism will always be interlinked.
I expected this book to be a collection of essays by a variety of different women, much like how The Good Immigrant is laid out. In actuality, it's written purely by Adegoke and Uviebinené themselves, and they weave the real life experiences of several dynamic black women into their discussion in the form of quotes and interview excerpts. It's packed full of practical advice from real women, sometimes even providing real resources that can be accessed, such as websites to visit and support groups available.
This book looks at several areas of modern life and discusses how black women can excel in education, get ahead in business and navigate the complex dating scene. It also delves into the honestly depressing lack of representation (and misrepresentation) they still face in all aspects of the media, the apparent oxymoron in identifying as both Black and British, and the sheer frustration in the lack of suitable beauty products and clothing, despite such a huge market calling for it. Further still, this book looks at the unique stigma that black women in particular face when it comes to seeking help for physical and mental health concerns and just generally documents how institutional racism still plagues the majority of public bodies.
What I feel was especially admirable about this book, was the fact that at no point do the authors appear to be straight forward complaining about the oppression they face - although they would have absolutely every right to. They are careful not to victimise their readers, and instead seek to provide constructive advice, and to inspire. Of course they are annoyed, and angered, and rightly so, but this book feels like them saying 'Look, the odds are stacked against you, the system is rigged, but here's why you can do it anyway' This book is a proud celebration of black excellence.
My hope is that the strength, unity and support that young black women will feel in reading this will be priceless in itself, and I'm very happy this book got published.
Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an eBook of this via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
White people on the other hand, should read this to be educated. In the same way I'd urge every male who questions the prevalence of sexism in our society to read Laura Bates' Everyday Sexism, I would encourage all white people who still question the scale of racism to read Slay In Your Lane. Even though this is not written for us, we can still learn from it, and anyone who considers themselves an intersectional feminist needs to be aware of the specific challenges black women face throughout all facets of life, and the extent to which sexism and racism will always be interlinked.
I expected this book to be a collection of essays by a variety of different women, much like how The Good Immigrant is laid out. In actuality, it's written purely by Adegoke and Uviebinené themselves, and they weave the real life experiences of several dynamic black women into their discussion in the form of quotes and interview excerpts. It's packed full of practical advice from real women, sometimes even providing real resources that can be accessed, such as websites to visit and support groups available.
This book looks at several areas of modern life and discusses how black women can excel in education, get ahead in business and navigate the complex dating scene. It also delves into the honestly depressing lack of representation (and misrepresentation) they still face in all aspects of the media, the apparent oxymoron in identifying as both Black and British, and the sheer frustration in the lack of suitable beauty products and clothing, despite such a huge market calling for it. Further still, this book looks at the unique stigma that black women in particular face when it comes to seeking help for physical and mental health concerns and just generally documents how institutional racism still plagues the majority of public bodies.
What I feel was especially admirable about this book, was the fact that at no point do the authors appear to be straight forward complaining about the oppression they face - although they would have absolutely every right to. They are careful not to victimise their readers, and instead seek to provide constructive advice, and to inspire. Of course they are annoyed, and angered, and rightly so, but this book feels like them saying 'Look, the odds are stacked against you, the system is rigged, but here's why you can do it anyway' This book is a proud celebration of black excellence.
My hope is that the strength, unity and support that young black women will feel in reading this will be priceless in itself, and I'm very happy this book got published.
Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an eBook of this via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Book is very long and it is hard to read on kindle due to the lack of paragraphs. I will come back to the book very soon. 17/11/22
While I'm not the obvious target audience for this book, listening to it was nevertheless a valuable and insightful experience. As a white man these are exactly the stories I need to be open to, and to learn from.
*****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review*****
I should say at the outset that I am absolutely not the target market for this. But I read it because I want to get more of an understanding of the challenges that black young women face and get some perspective on it - not only because I find it really important to understand other people's experiences, but because I manage a team with several young black women in it and I want to be the best manager to them that I can be.
And this gave me so much to think about - I can't make any judgement on how it works for young Black British women, but I can say that I think it is important reading for people who are *not* young Black British women so that they can get some sort of insight into the challenges and prejudices they face.
Really good - and the authors are so young and talented!
I should say at the outset that I am absolutely not the target market for this. But I read it because I want to get more of an understanding of the challenges that black young women face and get some perspective on it - not only because I find it really important to understand other people's experiences, but because I manage a team with several young black women in it and I want to be the best manager to them that I can be.
And this gave me so much to think about - I can't make any judgement on how it works for young Black British women, but I can say that I think it is important reading for people who are *not* young Black British women so that they can get some sort of insight into the challenges and prejudices they face.
Really good - and the authors are so young and talented!
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
"If the deciders stay the same then nothing can change."