Okay, I'm raving, but I mean this whole-heartedly. This is one of the best books on race relations I have read. It's practical, enjoyable, educational, and is a wonder of its kind. The authors tackle a wide range of subjects within the larger framework of black/white relations, but with an eye towards the oft-neglected point of view of women. We start with history and slavery, but the examination of the abolition and suffrage movements shed much light on just how women came to view each other. Other topics are school, social activism, pop culture, sex, and the all-important appearance issues.

The thing that struck me most on first reading of this book was that questions are asked that we normally shun as impolite, like the 'hair questions.' "What is this thing about having good hair or bad hair?" "Why do white girls always have their hands in their hair, playing with it?" "How do you get your hair to do that?" Now, I know this seems superficial when we are supposed to be working out race relations, but it's amazing how much something so foolish can affect how we see each other. Women are interviewed, historical context is offered, and it's reminiscent of a good coffee gathering. Like you got a bunch of women to just sit around and ask all the goofy questions that have interested them over the years, but without the attendant pressure of feeling nosy or as though you are doing a study. Few things are more exasperating than having someone come up to you with a question, but their attitude comes off as "Tell me about your people, native woman." I don't want to be the spokesman for my race, but I'd rather someone ask me than make faulty assumptions.

This book is the sort with which you curl up in a comfortable chair, have your cup of favorite hot beverage, and just relax. The conversational tone makes for swift reading, but never for 'light' reading. Divided Sisters is one of the most informative, direct, and thorough books on not only race but women's issues, and I highly recommend everyone check it out. It'd make a great gift as well, to help open up communications between women friends who haven't yet dared to attempt that gap in their relationships. And of course, men can benefit from getting some good 'inside dirt' on women. :-)

The authors have collaborated before on the landmark book "The Color Complex: the Politics of Skin Color Among African Americans," along with fellow writer Ronald Hall. This book is especially valuable for people getting into the fray of multiracial politics, because it helps bring into perspective much of the fear felt by Black political activists about the perception of folks declaring themselves 'not Black.' (Yes, that ignores the great number of people who have no African ancestry, but most of the arguments against a multiracial category seem to come from the Black community.) Their fears are well-grounded in the historical and present reality of race and color in America and however much we might like to think we are beyond such things now, it is important to understand where they are coming from. More on that book later, but if you see it, pick it up.

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