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You Are Your Best Thing cover art

You Are Your Best Thing

By: Tarana Burke, Brené Brown
Narrated by: Tarana Burke, Brené Brown, Mirron Willis, Bahni Turpin, JD Jackson, L Morgan Lee
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin. 

Tarana Burke and Dr Brené Brown bring together a dynamic group of Black writers, organisers, artists, academics and cultural figures to discuss the topics the two have dedicated their lives to understanding and teaching: vulnerability and shame resilience.

Contributions by Kiese Laymon, Imani Perry, Laverne Cox, Jason Reynolds, Austin Channing Brown and more.

It started as a text between two friends.

Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement, texted researcher and writer Brené Brown to see if she was free to jump on a call. Brené assumed that Tarana wanted to talk about wallpaper. They had been trading home decorating inspiration boards in their last text conversation, so Brené started scrolling to find her latest Pinterest pictures when the phone rang.

But it was immediately clear to Brené that the conversation wasn't going to be about wallpaper. Tarana's hello was serious, and she hesitated for a bit before saying, 'Brené, you know your work affected me so deeply, but as a Black woman, I've sometimes had to feel like I have to contort myself to fit into some of your words. The core of it rings so true for me, but the application has been harder.'

Brené replied, 'I'm so glad we're talking about this. It makes sense to me. Especially in terms of vulnerability. How do you take the armour off in a country where you're not physically or emotionally safe?'

Long pause.

'That's why I'm calling,' said Tarana. 'What do you think about working together on a book about the Black experience with vulnerability and shame resilience?'

There was no hesitation.

Burke and Brown are the perfect pair to usher in this stark, potent collection of essays on Black shame and healing. Along with the anthology contributors, they create a space to recognise and process the trauma of white supremacy, a space to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of Black love and Black life.

©2021 Tarana Burke and Brené Brown (P)2021 Penguin Audio

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Powerful!

As a white woman trying to open my eyes and my heart to the effects of white centring and white supremacy and the harm caused, both in the past and today, this is a powerful and moving listen. It is deeply vulnerable and thereby enlightening. Words seem inadequate but I deeply appreciate this work. Thank you.

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thank you

thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your stories. thank you.

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These stories need to be heard!

This was yet another amazing book from two amazing ladies and all the other authors- thank you

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Highly Recommended

Affecting, raw and thought-provoking stories told with bravery. These stories stayed with me long after listening to them. I highly recommend this book.

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Fantastic MUST READ

I cannot recommend this book enough. It is an invitation to witness people’s lives who have overcome and are still exposed daily to white supremacy, injustice, inequality, inhumanity, and life threatening situations. It is high time for those of us with white privilege to become co-conspirators.

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Thought-provoking

Although told from an American perspective. Content shared, highlighted the Black experience from various back drops of lived experience. Overall, a refreshingly honest and humble expression of the black experience amongst the whitewash of societal expectations and oppressive force of white his-story

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Exceptional essential reading

Inspirational and thought provoking work. Well worth the listen and should be required reading for anyone interested in understanding the trauma of shame and the black experience.

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Truly Wonderful

This book is illuminating and instructive, compelling and beautifully written. And hearing it read, and mostly by the authors, adds to its impact. Each essay brings a different voice, a different perspective to the experience of living while black in the twenty first century. It helped me to understand on a deeper level.

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lots of great moments

Loved it! Lots of relatable stories and food for thought. A great read/ listen. I even bought a physical copy to highlight favourite parts

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Great book - a wealth of stories

As a black woman I really enjoyed this delve into the myriad of experiences with vulnerability and shame told from the perspective of different black folks. Each essay made for great listening and it's a book you can listen to in nice short segments. The readers were great too, nice to hear a range of voices. I learnt a lot and have had my perspective shifted. A pause after each essay is recommended to reflect on what you've just heard. Brilliant book!

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