We Deserve to Heal

"We tell these parts of our stories in order to heal from hurt and honor the ways we have been healing."--Patrice Gopo, from the introduction

Can Black women have thriving friendships with white women in a society steeped in the realities of racism? Can such friendships experience the presence of genuine mutuality?

We Deserve to Heal: Black Women on the Perils and Promises of Friendship with White Women features essays from ten intergenerational Black women who consider these questions through themes such as identity, belonging, rupture, and freedom. This powerful and perceptive anthology speaks honestly of the beauty and the struggles, the welcome and the wounds. Each piece pairs with a response from another contributor, fostering an innovative conversation throughout the entirety of the book. While patterns emerge, the stories revealed by each writer are vast and dynamic.

By centering Black women's voices, We Deserve to Heal actively cultivates authenticity, truth-telling, liberation, and healing. This collection offers validation for Black women and other women of color and also encourages greater compassion within any reader hoping to discover more. Patrice Gopo has edited a book, rooted in relationships, that empowers those who take time with these words to challenge and expand their understanding of friendship.