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I'm gonna have to disagree.
I read both of those books when they were released, and I remember discussing them at length amongst men and women. I (along with most of the women that I know) never saw them as 'man hating' books. Honestly, I never thought Waiting to Exhale was about men at all. It always struck me as a story about women and the poor choices that they made. I can't speak for all women by any means, but every woman that I discussed it with focused in on the women and their errors. While some of the women were in situations beyond their control, I think that most of the women could have controlled their own destinies. It was only the men who took it as a personal affront to men everywhere.
Sometimes, I just wish the black men would give black women more credit. The majority of sistas out there are not 'man-haters' or wanting to play the male's role. Most women are all about lifting up the black man and are searching for the brotha who be the head of their household and they can submit to. However, it feels like black men are out their lining up for any opportunty to kick you when you're down (like this brotha Anthony Whomever).
Yes, many women are the heads of their homes, but I would argue that many more are in this position by circumstance than by choice. Yes, you might feel that Terry McMillian 'played' herself, but what about the many many other women who find out that their husbands are on the DL. Did they play themselves too?
My point is that it isn't easy to be a black woman today (not that it is easy to be a black man). We recognize and support you through your difficulties. Why can't you give us credit for this and support us through ours?
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