Terrie M. Williams - Black Pain: It Just Looks Like Were Not Hurting

Praise for Black Pain

The issue of depression is more crippling than any of us want to admit. Many of us suffer from it ourselves, and part of the problem is our denial. Terrie dares to bring out what so many have not had the courage to confront, having learned that you can never heal until you expose what hurts you. Black Pain is an opportunity to reach your breakthrough moment. A lot of us will feel freer to realize that we are not abnormal or suffering alone in our pain and depression.

Rev. Al Sharpton

African-American leaders in particular face tremendous obstacles rising to the top and even greater challenges staying there. We are the face of the struggle and are expected to always show strength, grit, determination, and confidence, when the burden of depression is doing everything it can to pull us back down. Black Pain shows us that it is time that we all talk about our depression and fight with the same vigor that we fight to achieve racial justice. We must reveal the darker moments and show, despite the pain that tries to bring us down, we realize that seeking treatment, talking through our pain, and taking the mask off our helplessness will not only make us stronger but will allow others to appreciate the fact that depression is indiscriminate and that we can fight back and win. It is hard putting on the public face as the tireless warrior. It is harder still to show our vulnerable side and our ability to work through the pain and depression, and come through with a sense of accomplishment despite the odds.

Charles Olgetree, professor of law, founding director of the
Charles Hamilton Houston Institute of Race and Justice,
Harvard Law School

Terrie Williams has gone public with her own depression and has persuaded a legion of others to do the same. She chronicles the singular challenges that face African Americans, who as a cultural group have been particularly resistant to recognizing this disease and seeking treatment. Her book is warm and engaging and lays everything on the line; it will give comfort and insight to a population desperately in need of its vibrant courage.

Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon

As busy people weve gotten used to juggling a million things at once calendars, clients, bosses, home, and familybut when do we get to be our own client, giving ourselves the same level of care and attention? Black Pain is a wake-up call, helping us see what happens when we drop the ball on ourselves by neglecting our mental and emotional health.

Iyanla Vanzant, author of Yesterday, I Cried

Using her piercing societal flashlight and courageous self-disclosure, Terrie Williams has blessed us with her wonderfully liberating book Black Pain. Terrie confirms that because of racism and all of its attendant manifestations, life has not been a crystal stair for people of African descent in the United States, no matter how famous or financially wealthy. The book lifts the veil on Black trauma, loss, and victimization, validating our daily strife and lifelong struggles. Terrie explains the source and impact of Black psychological wounds and demoralization. She gently removes the armor, looks behind it, and helps us realize that this is shared pain and we are not alone. The book reminds us that the strength and resources of the village must be brought to bear to open the door to break the silence, neutralize the pain, harness hope, and set free our collective spirit.

Annelle B. Primm, MD, MPH, director,
American Psychiatric Association

We as a people have had to deal with so much pain just as a result of racism and prejudice. Add to that [the] tragedy and the problems we face in everyday life, and its no wonder depression affects so many. African Americans havent ever really been taught how to deal with those emotions. Black Pain shows us how to recognize that depression that may be hidden away and deal with it. It pushes us to give a voice to the pain without passing it on to others. Pain turns into depression when we keep it bottled up inside. Terrie teaches us how to let that pain go and turn it into peace.

Patti LaBelle, musician, author of Patti LaBelles Lite Cuisine

Living a closeted life, with part of you hidden behind a door of depression is a sad, fragmented existence. Black Pain not only unlocks this door of misery, it breaks it off its hinges and shows us a pathway toward whole, healthy living.

E. Lynn Harris, author of I Say a Little Prayer

Too many of us are in the dark about what depression is and how big a crisis it is in our community. Black Pain shines a spotlight on the issue, getting the message out that we must identify, understand, and seek the help we need to heal.

Danny Glover, actor and activist

Terrie has tapped into one of the universal issues in our communitypain. People from my generation are at a stage where they can admit some of it, but most are in denial. They dont know that they share a common story because theyve never heard anyone elses. Black Pain is going to open up the conversation in a way that will be quite revolutionary.

Geoffrey Canada, CEO, Harlem Childrens Zone

Terrie Williams has an extraordinary blessing that allows her to give us gifts of understanding about common problems that affect us all... she is a treasure we should value and support.

Carl Bell, professor of psychiatry and public health,
University of Illinois, Chicago

Like a lot of Black men, depression is something that falls below my radar. The symptoms of depression are so ingrained into our daily lives that we accept these feelings as normal. The rage and anger we suppress is just another regular facet of our makeup. We have in many ways exchanged the shackles of slavery for the invisible shackles of depression. I think Terries book Black Pain will be a key to help unlock those invisible shackles that keep us enslaved in todays society.

Butch Lewis, boxing promoter and manager

Black Pain brings a new understanding to the widely held misperceptions and stigmas about depression. People around the country are now talking about the issue; many have been moved to start speaking about it publicly. It took extraordinary courage for Terrie to bare her soul, her pain, and her anguish. We should all thank the good Lord that she had the strength to share her story. By doing so she has helped countless fellow sufferers realize that they are not alone. Its a powerful thing to admit the pain, to seek help, and to move on to a more productive, healthy, and fulfilling life.

Bebe Moore Campbell, author of 72 Hour Hold

I applaud Terrie Williams for standing up and addressing the issue of depression in Black Pain. It is a condition that is highly prevalent and misunderstood in the African-American communities. Statistics have proven that we all have a great chance of experiencing depression in our lifetime. It is time to welcome discussion into our circles. Do not turn a deaf ear, as a person experiencing depression needs friends and family. Stand up and talk!

Sampson Davis, coauthor of The Pact and We Beat the Street

I think that in times like these, when the world is carrying a lot of grief on both the community and international levels, we need to talk about how we react to the challenges in our lives honestly. Black Pain starts the conversation so we can begin to heal ourselves and those around us.

Farai Chideya, host of National Public Radios News & Notes

Terrie has spoken directly to our issues and provided substantive and quality examples of how to shed our baggage. Now we act. So the real question is, What are you prepared to do now?

Roland S. Martin, syndicated columnist, CNN contributor