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I Wish I Had A Red Dress (2002)

I Wish I Had a Red Dress (2002)

Book Info

Author
Series
Rating
4.05 of 5 Votes: 1
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ISBN
0380804883 (ISBN13: 9780380804887)
Language
English
Publisher
harpercollins publishers

About book I Wish I Had A Red Dress (2002)

Content warnings: Domestic violence, domestic abuse, abuse, threats of violence, mentions of rape and what constitutes rapeI THINK that's all the content warnings. Despite them (or maybe because of those things) this was REALLY GOOD. And as it turns out I own the book that's technically before this (which I just found out). But despite this being a duo I don't think you need to read the first to really understand this one since everything is more or less explained in this book and you're not feeling like you're missing a lot.This is a book about life and love. And reclaiming yourself for you. And empowering yourself. Or at least that's what I got out of it. Also, supporting women in being their own person. Particularly supporting black women. Which is kind of touched on in the book but supporting black women is a thing that definitely should be done since the world is more or less against them including black men (which is the part that's touched on briefly kind of).Anyway though, I really enjoyed this book. Despite not being a black woman (which is the obvious intended audience for this book). I really didn't like Junior's family but also I know you're not necessarily suppose to like them. I like that basically everyone that's mentioned in this book is black. It's nice every now and then to not see my race represented in media because we're so overrepresented. Pearl Cleage has a very easy to follow writing style that flows very well. This was one of the rare books I've read lately that I've picked up and found very hard to put back down and not devour. It went really fast for me (when I wasn't distracted by other duties and things I had to do).I look forward to reading more books in the future by Pearl cleage.

This book related to the struggles of women and how one woman changed her life to help others. I enjoyed this book because it spoke on the issues in the black community but did not dwell on drugs. Joyce is a strong, black woman that's trying to change the lives of young women by making them independent instead of thinking they're some man's punching bag. She gave them hope, courage and taught them to resolve situations for themselves.I like Joyce because she kept her opinions out of the situations but if you asked for it, you got it in a way that made you answer your own questions. Then there's Anita Lattimore, a woman that should have been barren instead of capable of having kids. She has the meanest sons that have went out and made multiple babies by different women, steal and don't mind intimidating or hitting someone. Even their own sister, Sheila. The mom is just as mean and surly as her boys but they all intimidate Sheila and use her as their own slave.This little small town would be okay if this family didn't live here but they do. The story plot was great. I understood each character and how they related to the story. The book described the scenery but didn't extend the description long enough to become a bore. The book brought together three generations; young, middle age & senior citizens and showed each portions contribution.That Nate, the new vice principle! Just Joyce describing him got my heart skipping a best. A definition of a man that allows a woman to be who she is.....herself.Pick up the book and enjoy it!

Do You like book I Wish I Had A Red Dress (2002)?

Our Own RealityJoyce Mitchell is a devoted social worker, an optimist and a widow. Since the loss of her husband, she founded the Sewing Circus - a place for young women where they can receive assistance, job counseling, GED classes, daycare, and development into becoming ‘free’ women. Joyce and the Sewing Circus have been in business for two years and now they have to find a way to keep the program funded. Nate Anderson is new to Idlewood. He’s the Assistant Principal at the high school. Friends of Joyce’s have been unsuccessful at setting her up. This time it appears that Nate, a former cop, who is looking for a way to connect to the young males before the cuffs, just may be the one. With so many issues arising between the young ladies and males in the community, it seems to keep Joyce and Nate on opposing sides. Will they ever find a common ground?In this second installment, readers are introduced to individual members of the Sewing Circus as well as other residents of Idlewild. I absolutely LOVE the way the author utilizes certain black male stars as positive males and how through black movies they are able to analyze life and see things in a different way and apply it to their own lives. Both the title and cover play an important part into the journey of the lives of those in the story. I really enjoyed this book.4.5
—Nardsbaby Reader

I loved everything about this book,the prose, the characters, the story with a couple of exceptions. The idea that it was somehow within men's purview to protect women from other men. As someone who has had to claw tooth and nail from the maw of ruin all the while being told that all I needed to do was find some man to protect me, I have to say that's one of the most dangerous ideas ever proffered from a feminist that I've ever heard. It was only when I started ignoring all that nonsense and took it upon myself to protect myself and care for myself, that life got any better for me. Oddly enough, at that exact moment most meaningful support for myself and my children pretty much ended. I can only think that it was in the best interest of everyone (except for myself and my children) that I stay vulnerable and dependent, and once I broke away from that to make my own decisions people washed their hands of me.This is the crux of whatever problem that exists between the sexes. An outright refusal to literally see each other as equals. Not the same, but equal. Every man isn't as strong, as fast, as intelligent as every other. But no one would think less of one man for winning a fight through strength, while another won through speed, and another through manipulation of the fight. The same is true for women.Men are not responsible for our safety, we are! So, go take your self defense and martial arts classes, learn how to shoot a gun, call the police, educate yourself, and teach other women to do the same. Stop waiting around for some dude to show up on a white horse. He may never come, and then where will you be?
—Leslie

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