Book Review: Sheri Parks Re-examines the "Strong Black Woman" Archetype in "Fierce Angels"
Monday, June 14, 2010 at 11:15AM 
Sheri Parks, "Fierce Angels," Ballantine Books, $25.00
I always had conflicting feelings about the term "strong black woman," because it implied that black women were somehow more fit to take pain and abuse than other women, not taking in account that often there is no choice in this matter. You either have to take your lumps and soldier on or you can fall apart. Considering that falling apart would cause pretty much the end of everything, many black women in the face of adversity simply kept on fighting the best way they knew how.
I bristled at the term, while, at the same time, admired and even worshipped the always selfless, giving women in my life (namely my mother). My mother is a shy, but warm and friendly woman. She's unassuming looking. But having a family and having children gave her an almost other worldly strength. Even if it seemingly went against her non-confrontational personality, she was willing to go to war for her family. It would never occur to her to do anything but this.
Sheri Parks' new book "Fierce Angels" examines the phenomenon, tackling the histories and stories of the "strong black woman," who Parks calls "fierce angels" -- warrior women for their families, for the cause, for the community, for humanity.
What Parks creates in each chapter of "Fierce Angels" is what easily could have worked as six stand-alone books -- as she examines the history of this archetype from representations of "the Dark Feminine" in different religions and creation myths. She breaks down how Southern slave owners adopted and defined the "Mammy" as their own personal savior, a woman who would love them and stand by them even in the face of her own bondage (despite the fact that this belief was at its heart a confused, self-serving myth).
The book is engrossing. Especially if you are familiar of the stories of black women you know and admire. You will see the faces of the women who shaped your life in Parks' stories. You will see the women from your past and present who helped mold you into what you are today. And you will see and better understand the images of the black women in popular culture -- from the story of first Oscar winner Hattie McDaniel for her role as a "mammy" in "Gone With the Wind" to Phylicia Rashad's Claire Huxtable to the sometimes controversial, but still within the "Strong Black Woman" vein of Tyler Perry's drag character Madea.
Parks is at her strengths when she writes of how historically black women were not assigned the same feminine stereotyping that befell other women, namely white women. Parks explain in her religion and mythology chapter, "The Sacred Dark Feminine," that in an effort to control lighter-skinned women, men in power went through great lengths to marginalized them in religion and assigned them attributes of the "weaker," "irrational" sex. Yet, while the same Holy men worked oppress white women, they still saw the black or darker skinned woman as an "other," therefore not bound by the same rules.
The same holy men who demonized the white women around them still sang the praises of the distant and imagined Dark Feminine. The process of stripping white women of power included pushing off the powerful attributes of the goddess onto alien dark women, who were less central to the culture's idea of itself. As she had with the Greeks, the dark female became the repository of all the old female goddess had once been for the Christians. The histories and mythologies of the dark female and the white female have always been interrelated. Over the centuries, depictions of the black woman have remained the same: loving, fiercely protective, present at the most terrible of times and able to change them.
Parks also gets into our roots in Africa, talking about the role of women in many African cultures and how the place of the mother and the wise woman remained important figures in the black community despite the fact that in America, we were living in a Western patriarchal culture, where women were historically barred from leadership roles and denied education. Reading the book you quickly get the impression that the desire to be like the ruling patriarchy in America actually causes more problems than good in the black community.
The best example of this was in the book's most compelling chapter, "Becoming Coretta: A Cautionary Tale." In it Parks writes of her own experience as a young woman when she was asked by school administrators to take back her abusive boyfriend and hide the fact that he had hit her because administrators believed the young man could have been "the next Martin." Parks describes how the understandable desire to see black men succeed sometimes can go from being a noble cause to a perversion as some women are asked to sacrifice themselves out of the belief that their safety and dreams are less important than that of the troubled young men some people hang their hopes on. There is a bit of a recurring theme in the book of how trying to apply the rules of the Western patriarchy (where women have been historically marginalized for centuries and have just in the last 100 years or so started to make gains) to black people just doesn't make sense. Especially to an American black community where both black men and women have been expected to work and provide for their families while battling discrimination and other obstacles.
The effort to "depower" black women to fit better in the mold of a Western patriarchy not only doesn't work, it's a dangerous idea, as for black people to make gains as a whole both the works of black women and men are needed. We actually can't afford to have millions of black women drop out and take a back seat for the convenience of male ego building. Since the beginning of slavery, the black American community has been in an "all hands on deck" mode, women's hands included. Parks recalls the story of abolitionist Harriet Tubman in her book and how her first trip back into slavery was to save her husband who wouldn't go, but rather than dwell on love lost, she just freed another slave who was ready to make the escape. Who really thinks we, as a people, would have been better off if Tubman had not run away because she was waiting on a man to come save her? If she had just given up after her heart was broken? Considering the case of slavery, racism and discrimination, black people just can't be picky over whether or not the person who comes to save you is a man or a woman. You just want someone to do something to get this foot off your neck. Tubman is just as loved as fellow abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Who would deny her accomplishments for the sake of male ego? We're living in a state of urgency. You can't afford losing either of them. We couldn't afford either of them sitting the abolitionist movment out.
After reading the book you start to think it would make more sense (and be a hell of a lot easier on everyone), if black men and women were more patient with each other and if the black men who are hell bent on recreating the white patriarchy in the black community would just give up. Because really, it's never going to happen. You're not going to get MILLIONS of black women to turn into weak, docile creatures, sitting around singing "I Need A Hero" while their lives burn down around them. Not only is that thought sexist, it's irresponsible. People need to focus on making things better and fostering equlity for everyone, male and female. Instead of complaining why so many black women go to college (as one man once belly-ached to me), why can't we build up black men WITHOUT tearing down black women? Why do black women have to weaken themselves to make men feel better when the Western patriarchy doesn't work for white people either? (Could have swore there were several movements that happened to subvert it due to the unhappiness it engendered.) How does this make sense? Especially when we know what would happen if black women, as a whole, decided to take a back seat completely and opt out.
Parks writes:
I asked black men what would happen if black women just stopped doing all that they do. Even I was surprised at how disturbing it was for them to seriously consider the suggestion. "They would never do that" was the most common answer. When I pushed, the answer was usually the same. The one man who did give a real answer said, "Then it would be over. It would be over for us. Black people would not survive it." Then he added, "But they would never do that, would they?"
Parks' book is actually quite uplifting. By the end of it I felt relief. It's like a confirmation that you're not some crazy woman for doing what you do. That there is a reason why your mother is the way she is and why your grandmother is the way she is and why Mrs. Jenkins yells at neighborhood kids to pull their pants up and pull their skirts down. And there's a reason why even the most misogynist of men still adore and worship their mothers. And there's a reason why some women end up raising not only their kids, but other people's kids and trying to save the whole neighborhood in the process. There's a reason why in the "me" culture of America the sense of community among black people is so strong. The book shows that some things we "think" are a pathology are just the difference between a place where women aren't valued and a black community, that while sometimes is contradictory (see "rap music"), does value and need us, even as it curses at us for needing us. And that this cursing comes from a place of inadequacy fostered by sexism because something is supposed to be "wrong" with men who admit to needing women. Who admit that both are important.
Being "different" is not a pathology.
The only thing I could find wrong in Parks' book was that it wasn't long enough. The history is so rich and the source is so important, she could have written about this topic forever and I would have kept on reading. I hope that "Fierce Angels" will inspire more books and more discussion that looks at the differences between the black community in America and American culture as a whole, and actually examines the depth -- the merits and the demerits -- rather than just making us feel like we are broken people because we don't look into the mirror and see June and Ward Cleaver. I'd love to hear more thoughts and opinions without the pining for patriarchy or writing that denigrates black men and women into the old harmful stereotypes of the "no good" man and the loud, angry black harpy. "Fierce Angels" is about being honest about who we are and celebrating and accepting who we are. This is a subject more than worthy of further examination without the pall pathology that often covers any discussion of "us."
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Reader Comments (20)
on my list to obtain as of today... thanks!
Excellent review! I'll try to go pick this up because I'm interested in hearing her $.02. I often cringe at the "Strong Black Woman" stereotype because often those who spout it are not being complimentary. Nonetheless, the quote from the Black man who admitted that if Black women ever gave up it would be "GAME OVER" for the entire race was refreshing. It's powerful to hear at least one man admit that he understands that when Black men feel they can step back it is precisely because they know the loyalty and tenacity of Black women and the cannot conceive of them not picking up the slack. Nonetheless, I don't think we need to invoke the patriarchy to feel that we'd like partners in our strength rather than always feeling like you're alone against the world.
"why can't we build up black men WITHOUT tearing down black women" You hit the nail on the head.
As this topic of conversation keeps coming up on the blogosphere, media and Youtube, I asked myself the other day, how many people would have found themselves in the streets with nothing, no roof over their heads, no spiritual guidance Nothing, if it weren't for their mothers and or other strong women that they know. This isn't taking away from the Great men and fathers that our out there, but from my experience, I'd be no where if it wasn't for my mom. She's the only one who loved me, took care of me and was responsible for me, to this day.
"The effort to "depower" black women to fit better in the mold of a Western patriarchy..."??? Wow, it all makes sense now. It's a C-O-N-spiracy.
Thank You for that wonderful review. I will definitely pick up that book. I am glad some has another take on the 'Strong Black Female'.
"I often cringe at the "Strong Black Woman" stereotype because often those who spout it are not being complimentary. Nonetheless, the quote from the Black man who admitted that if Black women ever gave up it would be "GAME OVER" for the entire race was refreshing. It's powerful to hear at least one man admit that he understands that when Black men feel they can step back it is precisely because they know the loyalty and tenacity of Black women and the cannot conceive of them not picking up the slack. Nonetheless, I don't think we need to invoke the patriarchy to feel that we'd like partners in our strength rather than always feeling like you're alone against the world."
@TJ - You read my mind.
I have got to read that book!
thank you for this review. I had looked at it, but didn't want another ' oh woe is me' book. now, I know better.
I don't think it is possible to have a discussion about the roots of the "strong black woman" stereotype without discussing the influence of a white supremacist patriarchal value system that was put in place during the formative years of this nation. Sexist notions make it impossible for a woman to act autonomously and fiercely without being critiqued for not being "woman enough". This is a brilliant sounding argument Parks has brought to the surface within a more recent context.
Thanks for letting us all know about it Snob. I'm eager to read it!
Ms. Belton,
I love your writing, but with all due respect, I disagree with one point: The black community is not "strong" -- well, not strong in the sense of "thriving" -- only strong in the sense that we are (barely) surviving and have not yet completely succumbed to the violent patholgies that have gripped us for far too long. Yes, black women absolutely hold up the (crumbling) black community. But, as Khadija Nassif from Sojourner's Passport points out, NO OTHER group of women are asked to CARRY THE ENTIRE LOAD and completely raise their offspring ALONE.
Yes, out of necessity, we have always had to have an "all hands on deck" approach to life. The problem is that too many black male hands are no longer on deck. True, we have no choice but to keep going, keep pushing, and keep surviving. But our extraordinarily high homicide rates, which are due, in my opinion, to too many fatherless homes, is proof positive that we are headed in the wrong direction. As long as there are no MEN to guide young boys, our community will not be what it could be.
@ Crecilla
That is an excellent point!
Excellent review. Just excellent. Will look this book up.
Here we go again I'm DONE with a capital D this whole playing the 'victim' from black women!! Please some of you are NO prize either like the skank on Maury who brought FIFTEEN different men on the show and none I repeat n-o-n-e were the father. And that's more common than we'd like to admit and sure black men tear down black women but BLACK WOMEN DO IT TOO! So let's cut the crap and of course yet another excuse to whine about hip-hop and rap because apparently WITHOUT it black women would get the utmost respect and dignity and would NEVER have to worry about being called 'bitch' or 'ho'[even by each other] or being seen in a negative way and always having representations that are pristine and thoughtful. Yeah and I have a bridge in Brooklyn DIRT CHEAP! Methinks Danielle if you REALLY wanted to go there it would include some damn self-reflection for a change cause I have yet to see it happen. Like noting the black FEMALE 'comedians' who make snide,mean,creepy,woefully unfunny 'jokes' about Michelle Obama,Naomi Campbell,Whitney Houston,Beyonce,and the Williams sisters. You also mentioned light-skinned black women who sometimes can be jerks about it but hey I would be a jerk TOO if people who felt slighted were always coming at me because society treats them like shit for being 'darker' and not having longer hair and 'whiter' features. Or not embracing them as fully ain't the light-skinned girl a 'SISTER' too?!! Or do we get to pick and choose who is or isn't worthy to be 'black enough' ridiculous that goes TRIPLE for the black females whp perpetrate and perpetuate the 'mammy' stereotype. So let me see if I got this 100 percent straight it's WRONG for black men to dress in fat suits and do a stupid archaic offensive portrayal but it's cool for black women because 'homegirl gotta eat'[no kidding] or those are the 'only' available roles WHAT?!! Excuse me if I call b-u-l-l-s-h-i-t that also goes for reality hoes who last time I checked noone was forcing them to act like major league fools on national television nor are 'rappers' responsible but you all make excuses for them too. Does that also include loud female teens on the subway who feel the INCESSANT need to alert the entire world to their daily plans?!! Or rude as ALL hell salesclerks/dmv/ticket takers/meter maids/hairdressers to have so much attitude they make a head lion look tame by comparison?! No it doesn't face it black women can be JUST as guilty as black men of bringing down the race as we are not perfect nor are we slaves the victim mentality has seriously got to go! So does the perpetual Toni Morrison novel character mentality as well as life transcripts pre-approved by Maya Angelou.
@ Danielle - Sandy Beach is angry with you apparently. But I don't know how much you should care.
Sandy Beach,
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL!!! You should really try it before you go off on a raging tirade reflecting your UGLY in response to an independent book review and an awesome new book both of which you obviously have not taken the time to READ! RIF!
Snob, Just push the ignore and snooze button on this one. It's not a pretty picture from where Sandy Beach sits.
I'm not angry with her I'm angry with hypocrites and people who fail to recognize their OWN faults or problems they are responsible for and I honsetly don't why I should care about you or anything you say. And I remember the commercials too miss so I will take you up on that.
When I formulate commentary on a group of people I always start by watching hours and hours of Maury Povich and use his guests as case studies. Then I follow that up by focusing on hip hop and its followers.
With that in mind, I will be posting my insights into the behaviour of WW using Kendra Wilkinson as my focal point and WW I have viewed of the past year watching hours and hours of Jerry Springer.
Sounds really interesting! The black snob reviews are always amazing!
Snob, I am enjoying your book reviews! 'Fierce Angels' is a definite 'add' to my reading list.
Being described as a strong black woman may have been a source of pride in the early years of the last century, when the black community was at least nominally functional, but in 2010? Even the black women who want to cannot hold the black community together. Not for lack of trying because a lot of bw show up and soldier on everyday (to their detriment). There are so many battles to fight. Women shouldn't be the warriors; healers yes, warriors, not so much. In most other cultures, the work of fighting and protecting the community is generally carried out by the men in the community.
There is a significant (and growing) number of black women who have decided to ensure that they thrive as individuals. Some will assist family members who want to live well, some may even include a few friends who want to live well, but the trying to save the entire community.....ummmm, no.
What is all the sacrifice for? If popular (black) culture is to be believed, bw are less feminine/ attractive; too demanding; not supportive; only out for money; have no standards; have too many children out of wedlock; are too picky; etc. What exactly are we, as black women, receiving from the black community?
Peace
Thank you for this review, Danielle. I will add this book to my already tall tower of books to read.
Besides the refreshing honesty about what would happen if black women were to check out, I was also struck by this statement: There is a bit of a recurring theme in the book of how trying to apply the rules of the Western patriarchy (where women have been historically marginalized for centuries and have just in the last 100 years or so started to make gains) to black people just doesn't make sense. Especially to an American black community where both black men and women have been expected to work and provide for their families while battling discrimination and other obstacles.
I had been saying something like this for YEARS: If black men and women are going to come together in a better way, we are going to have to get outside of the Western patriarchal box. Your statement (and the author's) makes it clear that we were never in that box to begin with and our trying to get in that box is one of the things that's seriously hurting us. I also see how gender roles in Christianity, the slavemasters' religion of choice, play a part.
Thanks again for giving this strong black sister some food for thought this morning. :)
ps @Sandy Beach: Reading really IS fundamental. Try it sometime.
All your problems will be solved by 'good hair'. Get a weave girl!