Abstract
When one first encounters the work of Vanzant (1998, 1999) a new-age black writer focused on the self-development of women, it seems to contradict what is commonly known about black women and girls. One may think, “This is all wrong. This does not represent black women and girls in their true light as tough, competent, mature, and sage.” Pink sheets, pink pajamas, and Barbie dolls with extra sets of doll clothes are mentioned in one book as important for girlhood survival. Vanzant’s (1999) simple self-help phrases conflict with all that feminist and black womanist thinking would endorse. Should a serious scholar of black women’s experience toss this casually aside? Yet, African-American women and men are reading this woman. At a recent book signing at a major bookstore, black men and women professionals were present.
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Wells, Y.V. (2002). Superwomen Raising Superdaughters. In: Demick, J., Andreoletti, C. (eds) Handbook of Adult Development. The Springer Series in Adult Development and Aging. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0617-1_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0617-1_21
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