Soul Talk: The New Spirituality of African American Women
This book concludes with the reverberating, "Am I accomplishing  my work in the world?" According to author and scholar Hull,  African-American women are answering this question by  integrating political identity, spiritual consciousness and  creativity. To expound upon this theme Hull has skillfully  synthesized the reflections of nine very interesting, highly  articulate women, more than half of whom are well-known authors  such as Alice Walker, Toni Cade Bambara and Sonia Sanchez. All  are friends to whom Hull put the initial query, "How do you see  yourself as a spiritual being and how does that spirituality  manifest in your life and work?" The answers reveal a far-flung  yet supple spirituality that embraces many New Age ideas that  Bambara neatly called "everybody's ancient wisdom." Hull not  only allows the women their individuality, wise in such a group,  but also fluidly organizes her conversations with them into a  half-dozen themes, exploring the influence of spiritual practice  on such topics as communications with ancestors, race,  creativity and healing. Hull is writing for African-American  women, who "wear our politicized identities every hour of every  day, [and so] lean toward spiritual practices that are concrete  and can easily be incorporated into daily life." However, the  explorations and truths that waft up from this powerful,  practical and nourishing gumbo make interesting reading for  anyone. In this intelligent work of the heart and spirit, Hull  reveals the exquisite and reflective interiors of  African-American women. (May)Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.