A review by shellysbookcorner
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

5.0

Thank you Berkley for my review copy.

This was a heartbreaking and heartfelt book that will stay with me for a very long time.

Y’all I should have just minded my business when I saw Nia’s reaction stories about this book, but did I? Nope. Within the first few chapters I knew where this book was heading and when it happened I was a mess. These poor babies and the sad part is that these things have happened in real life and continue to happen. Being poor AND Black at the mercy of government assistance is a terrible combination and situation.

This story touches on the challenges Black girls/women have when receiving proper healthcare especially those of a certain demographic. We have the highest maternal mortality rate. Black women don’t receive proper healthcare treatment as do white women. This is something I’ve experienced first hand when I was at the emergency room for an asthma attack. Myself and another Black woman’s medical issues had been dismissed, while the white woman was given the royal treatment for a pulled muscle in her back. Mind you I’m there for an asthma attack!!

When the survey came in the mail about my experience you better believe I got that doctor in trouble. A few weeks later when I went back for another attack he was my doctor and what a complete difference. The things we have to do just to receive proper healthcare.