Ebony Pain

Ebony Pain

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Black Pain by Terrie Williams.

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Preview — Black Pain
by Terrie Williams

Terrie Williams knows that Black people are hurting. She knows because she's one of them. Terrie had made it: she had launched her own public relations company with such clients as Eddie Murphy and Johnnie Cochran. Yet she was in constant pain, waking up in terror, overeating in search of relief. For thirty years she kept on her game face of success, exhausting herself dai
Terrie Williams knows that Black people are hurting. She knows because she's one of them. Terrie had made it: she had launched her own public relations company with such clients as Eddie Murphy and Johnnie Cochran. Yet she was in constant pain, waking up in terror, overeating in search of relief. For thirty years she kept on her game face of success, exhausting herself daily to satisfy her clients' needs while neglecting her own. Terrie finally collapsed, staying in bed for days. She had no clue what was wrong or if there was a way out. She had hit rock bottom and she needed and got help. She learned her problem had a name -- depression -- and that many suffered from it, limping through their days, hiding their hurt. As she healed, her mission became clear: break the silence of this crippling taboo and help those who suffer. "Black Pain" identifies emotional pain -- which uniquely and profoundly affects the Black experience -- as the root of lashing out through desperate acts of crime, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, eating disorders, workaholism, and addiction to shopping, gambling, and sex. Few realize these destructive acts are symptoms of our inner sorrow. Black people are dying. Everywhere we turn, in the faces we see and the headlines we read, we feel in our gut that something is wrong, but we don't know what it is. It's time to recognize it and work through our trauma. In "Black Pain," Terrie has inspired the famous and the ordinary to speak out and mental health professionals to offer solutions. The book is a mirror turned on you. Do you see yourself and your loved ones here? Do the descriptions of how the pain looks, feels, and sounds seem far too familiar? Now you can do something about it. Stop suffering. The help the community needs is here: a clear explanation of our troubles and a guide to finding relief through faith, therapy, diet, and exercise, as well as through building a supportive network (and eliminating toxic people). "Black Pain" encourages us to face the truth about the issue that plunges our spirits into darkness, so that we can step into the healing light. You are not on the ledge alone.
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Published
January 8th 2008
by Scribner Book Company

(first published 2008)

Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting

0743298829
(ISBN13: 9780743298827 )

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264
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Start your review of Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting: Real Talk for When There's Nowhere to Go But Up

Shelves:
mental-health-awareness-readathon

This book is full of information, testimonies, quotes and resources to understand depression in Black people. It can be overwhelming. It is best to read a chapter at a time and reflect on it.

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11 likes · Like
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Shelves:
socialwork ,
social-justice ,
racism

Williams's point is an important one: that depression is prevalent in the black community (and is often escalated by racism), that it is often under-diagnosed, and that blacks often do not feel comfortable asking for help. Race, cultural, gender, and all forms of difference often escalate mental illness - and these issues need to be uncovered and discussed with mental health workers. Williams has a particular audience to whom she's writing and her key point is significant: Williams is bringing aw
Williams's point is an important one: that depression is prevalent in the black community (and is often escalated by racism), that it is often under-diagnosed, and that blacks often do not feel comfortable asking for help. Race, cultural, gender, and all forms of difference often escalate mental illness - and these issues need to be uncovered and discussed with mental health workers. Williams has a particular audience to whom she's writing and her key point is significant: Williams is bringing awareness to the issue of depression in the black community - and she's acknowledging how race impacts mental illness.
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7 likes · Like
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Dec 27, 2007

Shanene

rated it
it was amazing

This is a powerful, life-changing book! Black Pain blew me away! No book has ever explained depression so well before. It is so thorough you really have to absorb and reflect on everything you learn from this book. I thought I knew people, but I realize I don’t know the half. You just never know what someone is struggling with. So many people are in deep mental and emotional pain right in our midst with no clue what to do about it. It’s so important that those hurting know that they are not alon
This is a powerful, life-changing book! Black Pain blew me away! No book has ever explained depression so well before. It is so thorough you really have to absorb and reflect on everything you learn from this book. I thought I knew people, but I realize I don’t know the half. You just never know what someone is struggling with. So many people are in deep mental and emotional pain right in our midst with no clue what to do about it. It’s so important that those hurting know that they are not alone, that they can come out of their darkness and get the healing they deserve. Black Pain delivers the inspiration and encouragement that so many need to take the first step. And because of this book I now make it a point to deal with people with a whole new sensitivity and consideration.
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6 likes · Like
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Shelves:
memoirs-on-depression

This books reminds people that many African-Americans hide the pain that they experience. With endorsements and stories from scores of celebrities, Williams really takes the mask off of stress, pain and depression. She shares her own story and offers many resources for where people can get help. An important contribution to the field!

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4 likes · Like
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Apr 03, 2008

Ploetzly

marked it as to-read

I've read the introduction, and the forward by Mary J Blige. I am really interested in the pychologoical aspects of racism, the subtle affects. this book is written from a first person perspective of a sucessfull black woman's struggle with depression and how to get out of it. Also that a lot of black people don't talk about depression is interesting to me (not that a whole lot of white people do, but more maybe, therapy is more accepted).
I've read the introduction, and the forward by Mary J Blige. I am really interested in the pychologoical aspects of racism, the subtle affects. this book is written from a first person perspective of a sucessfull black woman's struggle with depression and how to get out of it. Also that a lot of black people don't talk about depression is interesting to me (not that a whole lot of white people do, but more maybe, therapy is more accepted).
...more

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3 likes · Like
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Aug 06, 2015

Dion Cordero

rated it
really liked it

Go this book when I self-diagnosed myself as someone dealing with depression. This was back in 2011 after a professional setback. This book helped me understand myself and assessed my situation. After weeks of stress eating and not going out, I was able to get through it and face life's challenges with an open heart and a big smile! First step of healing is acknowledging!
Go this book when I self-diagnosed myself as someone dealing with depression. This was back in 2011 after a professional setback. This book helped me understand myself and assessed my situation. After weeks of stress eating and not going out, I was able to get through it and face life's challenges with an open heart and a big smile! First step of healing is acknowledging!
...more

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3 likes · Like
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everyone, but especially Black people, need to read this book! it is of the utmost importance considering how many of our people are plagued with mental illnesses and are not receiving help. Williams touches on various aspects of Black mental illnesses including how they manifest, symptoms, treatment options, how we can go about showing up for ourselves and others, and much more. i saw myself and/or my loved ones in those pages. such an essential read!

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2 likes · Like
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May 11, 2009

Vanessa

rated it
it was amazing

Someone recommended this book to me, and I am glad they did. I applaud Williams strength and courage to shed light on this topic. This was a very powerful read for me. Very enlightening. Depression doesn't descriminate against anyone. I was amazed how this condition affects so many people. Young and old alike. Williams shares the testimony of other people, some names you'll recognize, who experienced depression. Their stories too, are quite inspiring. I felt Williams, did a wonderful job of desc
Someone recommended this book to me, and I am glad they did. I applaud Williams strength and courage to shed light on this topic. This was a very powerful read for me. Very enlightening. Depression doesn't descriminate against anyone. I was amazed how this condition affects so many people. Young and old alike. Williams shares the testimony of other people, some names you'll recognize, who experienced depression. Their stories too, are quite inspiring. I felt Williams, did a wonderful job of describing the symptoms of depression and the treatments that are available for it. Don't be ashamed. In order to fix a problem, one have to give identification to it-- with the hopes of find the root cause of it.
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2 likes · Like
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Dec 09, 2020

Lafilleseule

rated it
it was amazing

A very cathartic and valuable read. I will definitely be coming back to it from time to time.

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2 likes · Like
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May 27, 2009

Desera Favors

rated it
it was amazing

I really love this book, although I don'y agree with everything that Terrie said she had great insight on the general population of Blacks! This was a very inspirational and thought provoking book it gives most a since of urgency to Black mental and physical health.I wish I could buy a 100 copies of this book and just give it away to random Black people on the street. I believe this book is a very good intro to "Sacred Women" a book by Queen Afua the current book I am reading, in fact I was fini
I really love this book, although I don'y agree with everything that Terrie said she had great insight on the general population of Blacks! This was a very inspirational and thought provoking book it gives most a since of urgency to Black mental and physical health.I wish I could buy a 100 copies of this book and just give it away to random Black people on the street. I believe this book is a very good intro to "Sacred Women" a book by Queen Afua the current book I am reading, in fact I was finishing this book as I was reading the other and I would find myself looking for quotes to share with people and forgot which book the quote was in. There is so much more to say about this book, it helped me realize that my constant emotional state was not because I was a bad person but because I wasn't making my mental and physical health a priority. I found meself saying no more often then I used to and not feeling bad for it. I also found myslef expressing my feeling more. I suggest this book to everyone who is feed up and wants to learn how to heal and help others. If you are wanting to read this book don't put it on a list of things to do just go to your nearest library or bookstore, buy/checkout and read were ever you are it will direct you on the right path to self love and self healing! Black Power, Blac Love!
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Oct 11, 2012

Tiffany

rated it
liked it

I liked and disliked this book. There were many aspects of this book that I could relate to as a Black woman who has experienced bouts of depression. I love the way the author describes what depression is like. I think it provides a great perspective especially for people that have never experienced it. I used some of her quotes / descriptions to share with those around me what I was going through. What I did not like was they way that the condition was attributed so much to race and environment
I liked and disliked this book. There were many aspects of this book that I could relate to as a Black woman who has experienced bouts of depression. I love the way the author describes what depression is like. I think it provides a great perspective especially for people that have never experienced it. I used some of her quotes / descriptions to share with those around me what I was going through. What I did not like was they way that the condition was attributed so much to race and environment and oppression. I, personally, do not feel that it is that general and I think that to believe that would then require one to believe that as long as you remain a black woman living in a while world you are not able to release the "pain". I also believe that the generalizations make it seem like there are no other races or genders experiencing this pain. For me, this would be an excellent book if it was just about "Silent Pain" that individuals experience and sometimes get stuck in for various internal and external reasons. Nonetheless I would recommend this book.
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Dec 19, 2014

Monique

rated it
it was amazing

Finally a book about the one thing not discussed in the African American community, mental health. Williams works to start the conversation and dispel the stigma attached to depression and mental illness. I read this book years ago but recently re-discovered it on a hidden bookshelf. It speaks to me more now then it did back 2010. The pain is there..."it just looks like we're not hurting".
Finally a book about the one thing not discussed in the African American community, mental health. Williams works to start the conversation and dispel the stigma attached to depression and mental illness. I read this book years ago but recently re-discovered it on a hidden bookshelf. It speaks to me more now then it did back 2010. The pain is there..."it just looks like we're not hurting".
...more

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1 like · Like
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May 20, 2009

Denise Thompson

rated it
it was amazing

As I turned each page I realized "oh my God! This is my life and I'm not alone." It was a true eye opener. Eventually I ended up seeing a therapist and she ended up reading the book as well. Check it out, it's well worth the read.
As I turned each page I realized "oh my God! This is my life and I'm not alone." It was a true eye opener. Eventually I ended up seeing a therapist and she ended up reading the book as well. Check it out, it's well worth the read.
...more

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Jun 03, 2020

Destanye B.

rated it
liked it

So enjoyment is not how I felt about this book. I think it said a lot of important things and had many good points. Let's get into the pros and cons.------- SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT ----- PROS - I think this book had many gems within it. - I saw myself within some fo these chapters, which was heartbreaking. -The last few chapters Chapters 7-9. CONS - The gems were spread throughout. Don't think it really got to the meat of things till the last 2 chapters 7-9. They were also shorter chapters. -
So enjoyment is not how I felt about this book. I think it said a lot of important things and had many good points. Let's get into the pros and cons.------- SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT ----- PROS - I think this book had many gems within it. - I saw myself within some fo these chapters, which was heartbreaking. -The last few chapters Chapters 7-9. CONS - The gems were spread throughout. Don't think it really got to the meat of things till the last 2 chapters 7-9. They were also shorter chapters. - The beginning chapters were long. I didn't like the format of all the testimonials or stories. Especially as many as she used per chapter. Until we got to the end, it didn't feel like we were being educated on depression but more being told how other people dealt with depression. It felt like D-Nice this is my famous friend that I know because I worked for Essence, and this is their story. - I also didn't like that she would just put quotes on all these pages which took me
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