A review by mrsdragon
Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration by Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts

4.0

Somehow I had gotten the idea that this book was a collection of essays by a variety of folks. It was not. This was not inherently bad, but it took me several essays to get into the swing of things. Once I did, I found much to ponder. This is not a book written to pump you up with toxic positivity or reassure a white audience that everything is just fine, racism is not a problem. But it's also not a bleak book. It's a collection of reflections and ruminations--about how the Black experience is circumscribed and shaped by racism, yes, but also about self knowledge, personal growth, community, shared experiences, healing, and family. It embraces a rich and nuanced life. A "yes and". A frank and personal conversation.