Carefree Black Girls A Celebration of Black Women in Popular Culture by Zeba Blay

 Book Excerpt:

"An empowering and celebratory portrait of Black women—from Josephine Baker to Aunt Viv to Cardi B.

In 2013, film and culture critic Zeba Blay was one of the first people to coin the viral term #carefreeblackgirls on Twitter. As she says, it was “a way to carve out a space of celebration and freedom for Black women online.”

In this collection of essays, Carefree Black Girls, Blay expands on this initial idea by delving into the work and lasting achievements of influential Black women in American culture--writers, artists, actresses, dancers, hip-hop stars--whose contributions often come in the face of bigotry, misogyny, and stereotypes. Blay celebrates the strength and fortitude of these Black women, while also examining the many stereotypes and rigid identities that have clung to them. In writing that is both luminous and sharp, expansive and intimate, Blay seeks a path forward to culture and society in which Black women and their art are appreciated and celebrated."

Title:  Carefree Black Girls A Celebration of Black Women in Popular Culture

Author:  Zeba Blay

Publisher:  St Martin's Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Carefree Black Girls A Celebration of Black Women in Popular Culture" by Zeba Blay

My Opinion:

This author gives the reader a beautiful collection of essays that will leave you to ponder over long after the read. Wow, she hits it when giving us a good explanation of what pressure and what it's like to have a black body and see how our world sees all of the expectations that have been set on them in our society and pop culture... Now, why is that?  

This novel gives the reader input on 'subjects such as racism, colorism, fatphobia, mental health, sexuality and what it means to be a black girl.' It was engaging learning about this author's persona regarding her own experiences, thoughts, and how well they relate to the subjects so well in an honest way. For it is essential that this type of information is put out there to be shared.  

Be ready for a well-written read that shares a 'reference section that includes articles, songs, and names that the author presents in the read along with her commentary that will give one a deeper exploration of topics and issues' that is fascinating and a must-read. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!