First published 2025
Austin Channing Brown stands at the peak of her career as an antiracism educator and bestselling author, yet exhaustion weighs on her. She loves her work but grows weary of constant protest and the energy required to break free from America's restrictive expectations. The question emerges: what does she deserve not just as a citizen, but as a human being? Brown examines the systems that constrain Black women in workplaces, homes, and communities. She recalls pivotal moments when she chose to let all aspects of herself exist freely. From ocean skinny dipping to motherhood, she explores life's complexities while challenging women to reject imposed limitations. The book calls readers to define themselves through their inherent freedom rather than society's narrow categories. Brown argues for liberation in spirit, hope, and joy, offering guidance for women experiencing burnout and anyone seeking joyful existence in an unwelcoming world.
Genres: african-american, autobiography, contemporary, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-growth, social-commentary
272 pages · Hardcover · Convergent Books
Content warnings: racism, sexism