FEATURED BOOK:

I•N•T•E•R•V•I•E•W••••W•I•T•H•••••4
Jamie Walker
 

I wrote 101 Ways Black Women Can Learn to Love Themselves after healing from a deep depression that I suffered from only years ago. The depression was the result of many things. For instance, it was the result of not only falling out with a beloved and precious mentor, but also from resisting my calling and suppressing years of childhood sexual abuse. The book, then, was not only written because Spirit came to me and showed me that I needed to learn how to love myself unconditionally, but also because I knew several women within my own (and my mother's) generation who also needed consciousness, enlightenment, and truth. 101 Ways Black Women Can Learn to Love Themselves is an empowering motivational/inspirational book for Black women of all ages about self-actualization, the power of sisterhood, the healing power of sharing our own stories, and the beauty of lifting as we climb. The book reminds Black women that they are queens and, above all, human beings, who deserve to be loved, honored, cherished, and treated as such.

I think that this is a pretty broad question (smile). As a twenty-six year old journalist and author, I don't necessarily consider myself to be an ‘expert,’ a renowned motivational speaker, or even an authority figure on the subject. I do, however, confess to being a passionate young Black woman writer, activist, and scholar who loves her own people; a writer who continues to publish and share her own stories in hopes that other Black women (and men) might be enlightened, touched, healed, and inspired in the process. As far as commenting upon the state of Black women in America today, I can say that Black women are and have certainly continued to make significant strides and gains. We are trailblazers and trendsetters. And we also have a rich legacy and great tradition of Black women's writing to celebrate and be proud of. However, Black women are not superwomen even though many of us might subconsciously feed into this myth. We are spiritual beings on Earth having a human experience and it is, indeed, up to us to continue to ‘maintain’ this earth. We have accomplished much, but we must make sure that all areas in our lives continue to stay focused and balanced (mentally, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, and physically). We have made tremendous leaps and bounds and we can continue to do this if we possess healthy self-esteem; if we continue to love ourselves unconditionally; unlearn everything about ourselves which is not true; know our self-worth; and understand from whence cometh our help.

more8