Farai Chideya, author of THE COLOR OF OUR FUTURE said; "Veronica Chambers' HAVING IT ALL? is more than a collective biography of successful black women. The book is a history lesson about women who've transformed the cultural image from Aunt Jemima to uber-mogul Oprah Winfrey--and transformed America in turn. Most importantly, Chambers reveals the moments of self-transformation that happen in every black woman's life, through the stories of some of the most fascinating and accomplished people in America."
The Publisher Weekly wrote; In a series of interrelated essays, Chambers (Mama's Girl), explores the lives of middle- and upper-middle-class African-American women. Throughout, Chambers nicely weaves historical and literary anecdotes into her insightful narrative. While identifying this population as linchpins in the astronomical rise of a black middle class, she pursues such questions as how their "creative and indomitable spirit" translated into corporate reality while black men languish; why they no longer feel the need to choose allegiance between race and gender; what the image of Aunt Jemima declares about today's affluent African-American woman; and why they are more likely to be alone than any group of black women before them. Nonetheless, these women, Chambers says, have a strong sense of community and a renewed feeling of empowerment, which enables their transition into a predominantly white mainstream culture. Largely based on interviews of black women defying conventional perceptions, and written for those "who have crafted successful lives without role models or media coverage," the book lends a panoramic effect to such figures as former Whitney curator Thelma Golden, television host Star Jones, Barbara Bush's former press secretary Anna Perez, Anita Hill, and the growing population of African-American stay-at-home moms.
I do agree with both reviews. In addition, the book is entertaining but it lacks the multifarious dimension of the African American experience. The book is spoken from the voice of a first generation middle class African American, born during the intersect of opportunity and change. Therefore, the examples are primarily from the entertainment, media and politics of the 20th century. Of course, there is an entire history filled with African American role models found in the libraries, alumni associations and grounds of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Even in our failures we can find answers to the mysteries of success by going back to the base; HBCU's. Gen-X'ers are the beneficiaries of women who came before us. Those determine women who who broke down the door, allowing Gen-X'ers to walk through and catapult ones self through the glass ceiling like Super Woman. Black Women are not pop culture super heros, but dignified, intelligent, enduring souls rooted in family and the pursuit of happiness. I like this book, as I do of all Veronica Chambers books. Had she of attended an HBCU the book might have a different voice with a longer list of women from all the industries. Black women carry the weight of the world on their backs. It's utterly fascinating how Chambers unravels those truths.
