Marita Golden is an acclaimed author whose works delve into the complex facets of African American life and identity. Through her novels and nonfiction, she explores themes of family, history, and the search for meaning in contemporary America. Her writing is characterized by a keen insight into the human psyche and meticulously crafted characters. Golden is also a distinguished writing instructor, dedicated to nurturing the next generation of African American literary voices.
The book features a prologue that sets the stage for the narrative, introducing key themes and context that will unfold throughout the story. It offers insights into the characters' motivations and the challenges they will face, creating anticipation for the events to come. The prologue serves as a crucial entry point for readers, establishing the tone and atmosphere that will permeate the subsequent chapters.
Exploring the experiences of young Black males, Golden shares insightful conversations with psychologists, writers, and the boys themselves. Against a backdrop of systemic racism and economic disparity, she narrates her son's journey while addressing the violence faced by Black teen boys. The book serves as both a witness and testimony to the current crisis affecting Black Americans, prompting a reevaluation of the civil rights legacy and its impact on today's challenges.
Loves Herself, Has Boundaries, and Heals Every Day (Empowering Book for Women)
156 pages
6 hours of reading
Focusing on mental and physical well-being, this guide empowers women to discover their identities, establish healthy boundaries, and engage in fitness practices that enhance their daily lives. Through insights from Marita Golden, a notable figure featured on Oprah Winfrey, readers are encouraged to prioritize their health and find balance in their routines.
Marita Golden began her writing career with Migrations of the Heart, a memoir about living with her husband in his native Nigeria. In Migrations, Golden described how it was only with the birth of her child--a son--that she was truly respected, for in that culture males are held in the highest esteem. Ten years later, in "Saving Our Sons," Golden presents, in essence, her son's story. Having returned to the United States from Nigeria, Marita and Michael, in his teens, find their lives haunted by evidence of a horrifying statistic: The leading cause of death among black males under the age of twenty-one is homicide. The boy who was once surrounded by a warm, loving African family is now looked upon with scorn by many whites and with a deep, aching fear by his fellow African-Americans that his life may be casually taken. Through the story of raising her son against the backdrop of a racially divided society, Golden confronts the causes of the violence that surrounds African-American men and reassesses the legacy of her own generation's struggle for civil rights. She talks to psychologists, writers, and young black men--criminals and scholars both--and explores how single black mothers are often blamed for troubled youth. In this fiercely lyrical and revealing narrative, Golden has created a work of profound and lasting importance: a book that sensitively and uniquely addresses the problems of boyhood and emerging manhood. This is a book in which mothers across the country will see themselves and their sons
Exploring the myth of the "strong black woman," this book delves into the societal pressures that demand resilience while denying vulnerability. It examines the profound physical and mental health consequences of navigating a culture that stigmatizes weakness, shedding light on the struggles faced by many. Through insightful analysis, it challenges stereotypes and advocates for a more nuanced understanding of strength and well-being within the black female experience.
2018 NAACP Image Award Nominee An NPR Best Book of 2017 From acclaimed author Marita Golden comes a moving African-American family drama of love and devotion in the face of Alzheimer’s disease. You just can’t plan for this kind of thing. Diane Tate certainly hasn’t. She never expected to slowly lose her talented husband to the debilitating effects of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. As a respected family court judge, she’s spent her life making tough calls, but when her sixty-eight-year-old husband’s health worsens and Diane is forced to move him into an assisted living facility, it seems her world is spinning out of control. As Gregory’s memory wavers and fades, Diane and her children must reexamine their connection to the man he once was—and learn to love the man he has become. For Diane’ daughter Lauren, it means honoring her father by following in his footsteps as a successful architect. For her son Sean, it means finding a way to repair the strained relationship with his father before it’s too late. Supporting her children in a changing landscape, Diane remains resolute in her goal to keep her family together—until her husband finds love with another resident of the facility. Suddenly faced with an uncertain future, Diane must choose a new path—and discover her own capacity for love.
Exploring the profound impact of literature, a collection of acclaimed Black writers shares personal stories about how books have influenced their lives in surprising manners. Each narrative delves into the transformative power of reading, highlighting the intersection of identity, culture, and personal growth through literature. This anthology offers a unique perspective on the significance of books in shaping experiences and understanding within the Black community.
Exploring complex themes of family, race, love, and identity, this fifth novel by acclaimed writer Marita Golden delves deeply into the intricacies of human relationships. With her characteristic insight, Golden presents a powerful narrative that challenges perceptions and invites reflection on these vital aspects of life.
The memoir details Marita Golden's remarkable journey to Africa, blending her experiences with reflections on culture, identity, and personal growth. As a distinguished author and television executive, she shares insightful observations and poignant moments that highlight her connection to the continent and its significance in her life. Through her narrative, readers are invited to explore themes of heritage, belonging, and the transformative power of travel.
“Don’t play in the sun. You’re going to have to get a light-skinned husband for the sake of your children as it is.” In these words from her mother, novelist and memoirist Marita Golden learned as a girl that she was the wrong color. Her mother had absorbed “colorism” without thinking about it. But, as Golden shows in this provocative book, biases based on skin color persist–and so do their long-lasting repercussions. Golden recalls deciding against a distinguished black university because she didn’t want to worry about whether she was light enough to be homecoming queen. A male friend bitterly remembers that he was teased about his girlfriend because she was too dark for him. Even now, when she attends a party full of accomplished black men and their wives, Golden wonders why those wives are all nearly white. From Halle Berry to Michael Jackson, from Nigeria to Cuba, from what she sees in the mirror to what she notices about the Grammys, Golden exposes the many facets of "colorism" and their effect on American culture. Part memoir, part cultural history, and part analysis, Don't Play in the Sun also dramatizes one accomplished black woman's inner journey from self-loathing to self-acceptance and pride.
