The Myth of the Strong Black Woman

"The Myth of the Strong Black Woman" is a deeply personal and searingly honest book that explores the recesses of author Ramona Lofton Wright's heart and mind as she navigates the joys and heartbreaks of her life, family and marriages. Selected Excerpt: Black Berry Rolly Rolly, sweetest jelly in the world, fills up your senses and makes your mouth water, makes you wanna holler, just let me put a little touch of it on a biscuit I can hardly wait. Grandma Francis Ellen Washington, looked with fear and anxious anticipation, waiting for the Klan to leave the farm. She could feel her brothers hiding, waiting quietly in the forest, waiting for that smell on the hot black skillet, sending out the signal it's safe to come home. Oh, how sweet the smell of burnt black berry rolly rolly! It could make their heart swell, stop the hands wrenching and the feet tapping quietly in the bush. The smell of safety, of comfort. It's clear to come home boys. No one can catch you, molest you or turn you into strange fruit tonight brothers. Oh mighty black iron skillet bring us home, home to the warmth of a fire burning softly in the old black pot belly stove. Old crusty black skillet that holds the power of life and death, lay your juice on us tonight, girl. Come sweet smell, come on! Come on the wind, hurry on up now. Oh hurry please, come on down so our nostrils can inhale your sweet smell of freedom, of comfort, laughter, safety and family. Yep, black berry rolly rolly sizzlin' and smoking up through the night air, come on and save us from this cold black night. Bring us on home one more time. One more night.