“The Author’s Call to Arms” to Recover the True Story of Black Women | British News
One author has vowed to “uncover the stories history has missed” by shedding a light on trailblazing black women.
In British schools, children learn about the achievements of famous inventors such as Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.
But women, especially black women, are often neglected in the history books.
Author Catherine Joy White is now determined to “reclaim” her determined acts of resistance and bring her stories to a new generation.
Her new book, The Thread of Gold, sheds light on women from across history.
Catherine told Metro.co.uk: “With the exception of women like Rosa Parks, we haven’t heard enough from the other black women.”
“Add to that the fact that I’ve never read anything that documents the beauty of black womanhood, and I think that’s enough.”
“Traditional narratives focus on oppression, but This Thread of Gold is an exploration of joy – and a call to arms.”
“For centuries, black women have written, built, crafted, and weaved – from their own hands – a tapestry of beauty and majesty.”
“We can see the exuberant glow of its thread in unexpected places.”
“Black women have found their strength in song, in recipes, in the hairdresser, in nature, and on the athletic field, and have braved all odds to advance.” In writing this book, I wanted to follow her thread and create my own addition to the tapestry.”
The Thread of Gold features women from across history – from 1934-born writer and famed feminist Audre Lorde to 1996-born singer and activist Zendaya.
It underscores Black people’s ubiquitous efforts to demand change, drawing inspiration from those who came before them.
“I used to be sad,” Catherine said when asked about the fact that women are still being forced to fight for basic equality.
She continued: “And that’s still the case when I consider some of the serious statistics – for example the fact that black women in the US and UK are still three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women – but I understand too.” a coming together and a sense of uniting to create lasting change.
“My hope — and I truly believe we will see that — is that even if we don’t achieve real equality in our lives, we will reach a majority of people who are willing to fight for it.”
Catherine is confident that the biggest obstacles facing black women can be overcome in the years to come.
Many still “work twice as hard to be taken half as seriously in society”.
She continued, “I keep coming back in the book to how we need to take a break.”
“We don’t have to exert ourselves until we break down – and I think that the pressure that the world puts on us – but also the pressure that we put on ourselves – is one of the first things that we should work to relieve. ”
“Also, the world has to stop seeing us as strong before it sees us as people.” Once we’re seen in the full glory of our humanity, we’re going to have a very different conversation.”
“The Thread of Gold” took a year to write and was set against the backdrop of current events for women, such as the fall of Roe versus Wade in America.
This recent story also provided inspiration.
Catherine continued, “I wrote an angry letter to my imaginary daughter-to-be – which ended up becoming the final (and possibly my favorite) chapter of the book – describing the life I envision for her – and for all women.” ”
“I have some very exciting news on this to share soon.”
The Thread of Gold will be launched at a book launch in London on Wednesday and is available to pre-order online.
The book will be published in the UK by Dialogue Books and will be published in the US by Penguin Random House’s Tiny Reparations Books in 2024.
If you’re in Scotland you can stop by the Portobello bookshop to find a copy.
“What I hope people will take away from reading this,” Catherine began.
“I think one of the biggest – and most unexpected – things I took away from writing the book was the sense of healing I found within myself; It was a healing I didn’t even know I needed.
“So I hope it will encourage anyone who reads it to know that they are weaving a tapestry of gold themselves.”
“I am proud to host a shameless celebration, and I hope that in doing so, This Thread of Gold will permanently correct a historical record, change the prevailing narrative, and inspire a generation of readers.”
“I think at its core, This Thread of Gold is a book about connections: what anchors us in our past and what we take with us into our future.” I hope that every single guest leaves the hotel feeling connected to a brighter future to be in which we can all participate.”
Outside of her writing, Catherine has worked as a gender expert for the United Nations, as an actress, writer and filmmaker.
She was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list last year and also wrote and produced the film Fifty-Four Days.
The Thread of Gold kicks off Wednesday with live music, a reading from the book, Caribbean caterer Trapfruits with food and beverages by Severan Wine.
Contact our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, Check out our news page.