BOOK REVIEW: SELF-CARE FOR BLACK WOMEN by OLUDARA ADEEYO.
- booksandjoyfulness
- Nov 7, 2024
- 5 min read
BOOK REVIEW: SELF-CARE for BLACK WOMEN by Oludara Adeeyo:
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare”- Audre Lorde, A Burst of Light: and Other Essays.
I write this book review with a heavy heart due to the US Presidential election result.
I am deeply concerned about what this election result may mean for people who aren’t white; people who aren’t men; people who aren’t straight or cisgendered; reproductive rights; people who are immigrants; international security and disability rights.
I’m writing this because now more than ever, we need to prioritise self-care.
Many of us are deeply disappointed and affected by the election result. The election result may make many of us feel scared and uncertain. Therefore, we need to preserve our emotional wellbeing. Self-care is important and necessary for all, but I want to write specifically about the importance of self-care for Black Women highlighted in the book SELF-CARE for BLACK WOMEN by Oludara Adeeyo.
What is Self-care?
Self-Care is described by Angelica Bottaro in the article ‘What is Self-Care and Why Is It Important’ as “the practice of taking care of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of your life to promote health and wellness.” [1] Self-care is certainly not a luxury or something that can only be earned or deserved after achievement. Self-care is an essential practice that must be built into our everyday lives. Self-care is a necessity.
Why is Self-care particularly important for Black People?
The abstract for the article ‘Reclaiming Self-care: Self-care as a Social Justice Tool for Black Wellness’ by Janan P Wyatt and Gifty G Ampadu states that “Black communities face multiple stressors including racism, discrimination, and navigating systems of oppression, all of which affect their mental health and wellbeing.” [2] This is an exceptional article where Wyatt and Ampadu explain that “expanding our understanding and ideas of self-care allows for more flexibility in both thought and practice (Miller, 2020.)” [3] This article shows that self-care can be tailored to the specific needs of a marginalised group.
Why is Self-Care particularly important for Black Women?
Self-care is particularly important for Black Women because (as Noelle Toumey Reetz writes in the article ‘Self-Care as an Act of Resistance’ where Professor Stephanie Y Evans from Georgia State University is interviewed,) “[f]or Black women, who often face a disproportionate burden in society, self-care can also be a tool to counter the effects of systemic racism and trauma.”[4] We know that Black Women also experience misogynoir, a term coined by Professor Moya Bailey. Our specific experiences as Black Women heighten the need for and importance of self-care.
Who is Oludara Adeeyo?
Oludara Adeeyo is a writer and therapist. Further information can be found about her here.
Why I enjoyed Adeeyo’s book, ‘SELF-CARE for BLACK WOMEN’:
1. This book is split into 3 sections: Mind, Body and Spirit:
Adeeyo allows us to see the many dimensions of self-care. In part one which focusses on the mind, Adeeyo encourages us to focus on activities that will aid mental wellbeing such as writing out affirmations (page 68), creating vision boards (page 46) and identifying coping skills (page 60). In parts two and three, we are encouraged to participate in self-care that will aid our bodies and spirits such as taking a bubble bath (page 86), drinking more water (page 94), consuming less sugar (page 104), listening to our intuition (page 134) and gaining spiritually by becoming a mentor (page 176). Adeeyo shows us that self-care is a holistic practice.
2. This book focusses on issues that are specifically relevant to Black Women:
Here is the crux of why I enjoyed this book so much.
The self-care recommendations and suggestions are specifically focussed on issues faced by Black Women. Adeeyo encourages us to wear our natural hair (page 87), learn our family’s history (page 132), support Black-Owned businesses (page 152), correct our name’s mispronunciation (page 180) and to stop watching Black trauma entertainment (page 72). I certainly agree that wearing your natural hair can be a deeply affirming experience as I am an avid wearer of my natural hair. Learning about my family and my cultural history has also become increasingly important to me as it gives further context to who I am as a person.
I do believe it’s very important to watch programmes that inform us of our history and the challenges of the present. However, it is imperative to be aware of our boundaries regarding consuming traumatic content. I feel strongly that some shows, particularly shows that are aimed at humiliating Black people, particularly Black Women are shows I am certainly not interested in watching. Shows that make my spirit soar with the joy of being a Black Woman are the kinds of shows I much prefer to watch. Adeeyo’s specific focus on the wellness of Black Women has made this book a delight to read. The self-care recommendations are brief and succinct and can be read as daily, bite-size recommendations.
3. The illustrations are beautiful, affirming and centre Blackness:
The book cover illustration is beautiful. The Black hands on the cover have different shades and this is important in celebrating the diversity of our skin tones. The illustrations for parts one, two and three of this book are, in my view, forms of Black art that centre Blackness and the experience of being a Black Woman.
Conclusion:
As I come to the end of my brief book review, I feel a little more joy.
Not about yesterday’s result. I have deep concerns about yesterday’s US election result.
However, I have deep hope for all that we are and all that we will continue to be as a people. I have deep faith in the joy of holistic self-care and the positive impact this can have on us. Election outcomes may not always be within our control and I don’t believe that self-care alone can stop the fundamental oppression of marginalised communities. Systems and attitudes still need to change. But we can use self-care to improve our day-to-day wellbeing and joyfully lift our communities. I highly recommend the book SELF-CARE for BLACK WOMEN by Oludara Adeeyo as a way of affirming your Blackness and gaining tips and reminders on caring for your body. I hope you give it a read and find it as soothing, informative and as inspiring as I have.
(c) Afia Nicholas, 7th November 2024.
[1] What Is Self-Care and Why is It Important https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-self-care-5212781
[2] Reclaiming Self-care: Self-care as a Social Justice tool for Black Wellness - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8414023/
[3] Reclaiming Self-care: Self-care as a Social Justice tool for Black Wellness - PMC
[4] Self-care as an Act of Resistance - Black Women and Wellness
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