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)