EP #74: The Sisters Are Alright: Changing the Broken Narrative of Black Women in America with Tamara Winfrey Harris

Lisa is joined by Tamara Winfrey-Harris, a writer who
specializes in race and gender and their intersection with
politics, popular culture, and current events. She is the author
of Dear Black Girl: Letters from Your Sisters on Stepping into
Your Power, and she has been called to share her analyses in
media outlets such as NPR's Weekend Edition and Janet Mock's So
POPular! on MSNBC.com. Her work has also appeared in countless
outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, Los Angeles
Times, Bitch Magazine, Ms. and other media.  Winfrey-Harris
is Vice President of Community Leadership and Effective
Philanthropy at the Central Indiana Community Foundation, and she
speaks at university campuses nationwide. She has dedicated her
life's work to advocating for Black women and girls and defying
destructive social narratives that limit their potential. She is
co-founder of Centering Sisters, LLC, which unapologetically
addresses the needs and issues of Black women, girls, and femmes.
Learn more at TamaraWinfreyHarris.com.

Praised by The Washington Post as “a myth-busting portrait of
Black women in America,” Tamara Winfrey-Harris’ The Sisters
Are Alright: Changing the Broken Narrative of Black Women in
America exposed the high cost of “misogynoir,” uplifted the
experiences of real Black women and shed light on their quest to
break free of enduring and vicious stereotypes. 


 Since then, the Black community continues to grapple with
systemic racism, while the book has become a touchstone of Black
feminist thought. With a television development deal in the works
with Wise Entertainment and Gabrielle Union’s I’ll Have Another
Productions, and an updated second edition, The Sisters Are
Alright is more relevant than ever (Publication date: October 12,
2021; Berrett-Koehler Publishers). 


 While emancipation may have occurred more than 150 years
ago, Winfrey-Harris argues that America still won’t let Black
women be free from an insidious coven of caricatures: the servile
Mammy, angry Sapphire, and lascivious Jezebel. Persisting to this
day, these stereotypes continue to infiltrate newspaper
headlines, Sunday sermons, social media memes, cable punditry,
government policies, big-screen portrayals and hit song
lyrics. 


 The latest edition of this bestseller features new
interviews with diverse Black women. Alongside these authentic
experiences and new voices, Winfrey Harris offers fresh Black
feminist analysis of current events, politics and, popular
culture--from “W.A.P.” and the rise of digital blackface to new
civic activism and the risks of Black maternity. These include:


 The evolution of stereotypes of Black women, with
new real-life examples, such as the rise of blackfishing and
digital blackface (which help white women rise to fame)



The media’s continued fascination with Black women’s
sexuality (as with Cardi B or Megan Thee Stallion).


Black women and power and how persistent stereotypes
challenge Black women’s recent leadership and achievements in
activism, community organizing and politics. 


Interviews with activists and civic leaders and
interrogating media coverage and perceptions of Stacey Abrams,
Vice President Kamala Harris and others.

Debunking vicious misconceptions rooted in long-standing
racism, Tamara Winfrey-Harris elevates Black femme voices talking
about marriage, motherhood, health, sexuality, beauty, anger, and
power and more.