No Disrespect

Sister Souljah Books that delve into the realities of Black life in America are few and far between. Likewise, there are very few authors or activists that are willing to expose some of the conflicts that exist within the Black community. The purpose of this paper is to select a new title and subtitle for Sister Souljah's book, No Disrespect. The paper will this discuss the reason for the new title and explain how it frames the issues presented in the book.

Black Confession and White Oppression: The Autobiography of a Young Black Woman The new title and subtitle for the book would be Black Confession and White Oppression: The Autobiography of a Young Black Woman. This title was chosen because the book discusses some the most important issues facing Black America and why the author feels that these issues are derivative of white oppression.

The subtitle refers to the illustrations that Souljah presents to us concerning her life as a young woman Black Confessions Black Confessions" refers to Sister Souljah's depictions of the relationships that she had with Black men as a young woman. She also expresses how it felt to grow up in the projects. Souljah explains "I'm a young black sister with an unselfish heart who overdosed on love long ago. My closest friends consider me soft-spoken. Others say I have a deadly tongue.

And while it's true that I have a spicy attitude like most of the ghetto girls I know, I back it up with a quick, precise, and knowledgeable mind. My memory runs way back and I'm inclined to remind people of the things they'd most like to forget." (Souljah.. taken from Voices From the Gap) She explains that she sacrificed a great deal of herself -- body, soul, spirit and intellect -- in an attempt to keep men in her life.

In sharing her experiences Sister Souljah is confessing a situation that many Black women find themselves in. This is an issue that is often glossed over in many books written by African-Americans. These confessions explain the interaction between Black men and Black women. Souljah also discusses the issue of homosexuality in the Black Community; a topic that is usually avoided by the community. She discusses her true feelings about homosexuals and how she feels about the way that homosexuals conduct themselves.

Souljah seems to believe the homosexuality is wrong and shouldn't be practiced. In addition, she discusses another taboo topic of the black woman and interracial dating. It seems that she is unable to accept the concept of dating a White man because of the history of white oppression in America. Souljah seems determined to be with someone of her own race and seems to assert that others should do the same.

The book also confesses the challenges of growing up in the ghetto and some of the miseducation that takes place in urban setting that are void of positive role models. In the book she asserts the ghetto girls are often not taught what true womanhood is about. (Souljah.. taken from Voices from the Gap) Neither are they taught what true manhood should encompass. (Souljah.. taken from Voices from the Gap) This miseducation leads young women to discover what womanhood and manhood is learned through their personal experiences.

These experiences are often negative and unhealthy and leave young women with broken hearts and lives. Souljah speaks about Black Culture and the mentality of some of the people that grew up in her neighborhood. Throughout the book she really takes on the role of a teacher; advising ghetto youths and informing the Black community on our history and the ills of being Black in America. The language that she uses is raw but really allows the reader to relate to what she is attempting to convey.

The language also illustrates the type of speech that individuals often used to express themselves in an urban setting. White Oppression The new title of the book contains the words White Oppression because it is something that Souljah discusses in the book. Not only does the book peer into behavior in the ghetto but it also discusses how these behaviors are shaped by a White social system.

Souljah asserts that many of the problems in the Black community can be traced to slavery and the racism that has existed in America in the aftermath of slavery. Many of the comments that Souljah has made concerning White people have been controversial. Some feel that she places too much blame on White people and fails to hold Black people responsible for their own actions.

On the other hand, some believe that the anger and frustration is totally justified given the facts concerning the treatment of Black people White people through American history. Sister Souljah explains in the book that her feelings towards the White socials stems from the fact that this system is heel bent on oppressing Black people so that their full potential is never reached. In the book she explains that she is totally devoted to her people -- Africans living in America. Souljah asserts that her first loyalty is to.