You Are Your Best Thing
Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience
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Written by:
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Tarana Burke
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Brené Brown
About this listen
New York Times Best Seller • Tarana Burke and Dr. Brené Brown bring together a dynamic group of Black writers, organizers, 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.
Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Marie Claire and Bookriot
It started as a text between two friends.
Tarana Burke, founder of the ‘me too.’ 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 armor 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 recognize 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, Brené Brown (P)2021 Random House AudioYou may also enjoy...
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- Written by: Viola Davis
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- Narrated by: Dr. Robin DiAngelo
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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Performance
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Written by: Dr. Robin DiAngelo
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Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults
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- Written by: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Monique Gray Smith - adapter
- Narrated by: Monique Gray Smith
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What listeners say about You Are Your Best Thing
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- JERIELLE
- 2022-04-28
Healing
This audio book healed me and I'm forever grateful for it. Waitting for French version.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2021-06-13
A must read
The stories in this book are real, raw, eye opening and especially for myself, a white woman, an absolutely necessary read in my journey to understand, empathize with and advocate for black lives. Thank you so much for sharing these stories.
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1 person found this helpful
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- BDobbz
- 2022-09-25
LOVED this book!
So many great authors in this anthology, with funny, moving and totally real content. An absolutely amazing read that features relatable perspectives on vulnerability from a Black perspective.
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- Gerry
- 2021-05-18
Authentic
Real people with real stories speaking their truth. I appreciate the honesty plus hearing how these dear ones are doing what they can to help others. It gave me hope for my own continued healing.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 2021-09-26
heart wrenching, powerful, beautiful
Each story shared with such beautiful honesty. I'm grateful for the opportunity to hear them.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Jacquie
- 2021-05-30
Best book of 2021
This book was not only timely but the performance of this book was so on point. What a pleasure it was to listen to each one of the contributors express themselves in ways that reflected on my own life experiences. thank you!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Nicole
- 2021-09-08
I felt seen.
I have never felt more seen by a book in my life. I definitely will be sharing this book with all the Black and non Black people in my life. The Black experience to shame was written and read so well. I felt like I was in a therapy session and I felt comfortable to just be me and discuss my fears with all the authors.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Tawnya
- 2021-05-10
Eye opening
As a white woman I feel this has given me a small understanding of the weight black women carry.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 2021-08-12
Heartfelt, heart-wrenching, and beautifully human
The stories told, the vulnerabilities exposed, the experiences shared, and the emotions expressed made this book one of the best reads of my year. At times the reader was invited into some of the most intimate spaces and thoughts, and for that, I thank the incredibly brave writers/authors. The narrators were just as powerful in bringing forth these stories. This is a repeat read, for sure, and one I look forward to sharing with many of my friends, family, and colleagues.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Gemma Finn
- 2021-10-23
It's just stories
When I first started listening to this book I was super jazzed. I thought there were going to be some great conversations about race, privilege and so much more. It's not bad but it's not what I thought it was going to be.
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