Crossing the boundary : black women survive incest /

Touted as the "first book about black women and incest to be published in the United States," Wilson's treatise was inspired by her own heretofore unresolved incest experience. Noting the lack of literature devoted to this particular subject and the scarcity of support groups among black female survivors, Wilson felt compelled to share both the tragedy and the triumph in her own personal history. Her narrative also explores the mythology about black women's sexuality, repudiates the code of silence common in black society, analyzes the theme of incest in the works of black women authors, and provides an encouraging framework for those struggling to cope with their own feelings of shame, anger, and guilt. A cathartic survival guide for black women. ~--Margaret Flanagan

Wilson, an American freelance journalist living in London, has written a wrenchingly honest and personal book about the sexual abuse of black women and girls. The title refers not only to the boundary abusers violate to commit inappropriate behavior but also the boundary victims must cross in order to talk about their experiences and begin the healing process. Pressure for silence from the black community, black family values, racism, and myths about black women all hinder healing and protection of the victims. Much of the data Wilson cites are British in origin, but this book is also important for African Americans. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries.-- Sharon Firestone, Ross-Blakley Law Lib., Arizona State Univ., Tempe (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.