August Book Club: What Becomes of the Brokenhearted by E. Lynn Harris

ClassyLady · #1 08-03-2003, 04:23 PM

First, let me say how excited I am to be the discussion leader for the first "meeting" of the GC Book Club. I really read the book critically to try to find some interesting topics of discussion for us. If anyone has their own questions or points to present to the group, please feel free. Without any further ado, let's get started.

Throughout this memoir, Harris writes of his recurrent bouts of depression. Harris writes "I began to wonder if depression ran in my family. Did my mother and grandmother do what many other blacks with depression do - simply ignore it?" (Page 5, Hardback version). Why has depression, and mental health as a whole, been so overwhelmingly ignored by our community? Could the high incidences of alcoholism and substance abuse within our community be a result of ignored depression? Why are non-spiritual forms of therapy so taboo?

CrimsonTide4 · #2 08-03-2003, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
Throughout this memoir, Harris writes of his recurrent bouts of depression. Harris writes "I began to wonder if depression ran in my family. Did my mother and grandmother do what many other blacks with depression do - simply ignore it?" (Page 5, Hardback version). Why has depression, and mental health as a whole, been so overwhelmingly ignored by our community? Could the high incidences of alcoholism and substance abuse within our community be a result of ignored depression? Why are non-spiritual forms of therapy so taboo?

OUTSTANDING way to kick off the discussion.

**still tired, give me a day or two to be resume my Chatty Cathy status**

AKA2D '91 · #3 08-04-2003, 12:49 PM

I started reading this last night. I retired after reading chapter 2. I was so

. I thought I would not be able to continue. I did cheat and read the last chapter. I guess because I know he "comes out"

and all seems to be well, that I am able to continue to read.

1browngirl · #4 08-05-2003, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
Throughout this memoir, Harris writes of his recurrent bouts of depression. Harris writes "I began to wonder if depression ran in my family. Did my mother and grandmother do what many other blacks with depression do - simply ignore it?" (Page 5, Hardback version). Why has depression, and mental health as a whole, been so overwhelmingly ignored by our community? Could the high incidences of alcoholism and substance abuse within our community be a result of ignored depression? Why are non-spiritual forms of therapy so taboo?

To answer the first part of the question I think that in the black community we ignore mental health and depression issues because we don't think these are "black" issues. In our communites there seems to be a stigma attached like depression is a white person's disease, like we're invincible and it shouldn't happen to us. Maybe it's because it indicates that we're weak and no one wants to be viewed as weak minded or weak--period. So we just tend to ignore it. I hope to come back with more but I'm at work right now and can't type everything that I want to say.

FeeFee · #5 08-07-2003, 04:28 PM

I just picked up a copy of the book, so I will be able to join in the discussions.

ClassyLady · #6 08-08-2003, 03:07 PM

I meant to post this earlier but my internet access has been down for the past few days.

The discussion in here has been a little lagging. So let me find out first, how many of us actually read the book and what were your initial impressions? How many are still reading or have not yet begun but would like to join the discussion?

Senusret I · #7 08-08-2003, 04:06 PM

Can't afford the book until September, but I am right there with you when I get it!

Gotta support Frat!

Gina1201 · #8 08-08-2003, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
I meant to post this earlier but my internet access has been down for the past few days.

The discussion in here has been a little lagging. So let me find out first, how many of us actually read the book and what were your initial impressions? How many are still reading or have not yet begun but would like to join the discussion?

CLassy, let me say that the first question you posted was great! However, I can never find time to compose my answer. Yes, I read the book and I liked it. I always wanted to know more about his life. Questions that he answered for me included:

1. What does the 'E.' stand for?
2. Was he EVER attracted to women?
3. When did he realize that he was gay?

Overall, I was very pleased with the memoir.

FeeFee · #9 08-08-2003, 04:40 PM

I'm already up to Chapter 9. As Gina stated, some of my questions have been answered (first initial, attraction to women).

Ben was an evil, evil man.

1browngirl · #10 08-08-2003, 07:01 PM

I finished the book today while at work.

I must say it explains alot. Also, when I first started reading I wanted to know who was the inspiration for the character Basil...I thought I discovered that early on but after reading of his encounters and relationships, it seems that Basil is a compiliation of all the men he encountered.

Overall, great book.

pinkey08 · #11 08-11-2003, 12:13 PM

I am only on chapter 4. So far this has been a very interesting read.
________
ELITE E

CrimsonTide4 · #12 08-11-2003, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
Throughout this memoir, Harris writes of his recurrent bouts of depression. Harris writes "I began to wonder if depression ran in my family. Did my mother and grandmother do what many other blacks with depression do - simply ignore it?" (Page 5, Hardback version). Why has depression, and mental health as a whole, been so overwhelmingly ignored by our community? Could the high incidences of alcoholism and substance abuse within our community be a result of ignored depression? Why are non-spiritual forms of therapy so taboo?

I think it has been ignored because some folks just accept it as a way of life. I mean as a Black community, we have been oppressed for so long and in such a widespread way that it has been the norm for us to have sorrows or the blues. I also think it has been ignored because depression and related forms of mental illness have so many differing symptoms. Plus we have been conditioned to shake it off.

Our incidences of alcoholism and substance abuse are definitely linked to ignored depression for SOME.

The non spiritual forms of therapy are still very taboo in our community because we have been conditioned to pray, talk to our ministers or spiritual leaders. Plus for some, it is considered taboo because telling folks outside of our family our business was a big no no. Also, for a long time most therapists were white and for a Black person to tell a white person their business was also

I was proud to see E. Lynn seek out therapy at the various points in his life.

I too see Basil as a composite of his past lovers, especially ol boy that took him through so much stuff and ended up staying with his abusive lover(name escapes me, book is @ home).

AKA2D '91 · #13 08-11-2003, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pinkey08
I am only on chapter 4. So far this has been a very interesting read.

I finished the book. It was hard to get through it. ONLY because it was E. Lynn's life. I know if he would have put EVERYTHING in the book, we'd continue to read that book for a longgggg time. I still feel there was 'stuff' we missed.

I tell you. After reading this book, I can appreciate him even MORE.

I luv Everette Lynn Harris.

Um, why didn't he mention his fraternities name?

I wonder if the names he used were the correct names. I know one of the names (Deborah Crable) is legit...

CrimsonTide4 · #14 08-11-2003, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
I finished the book. It was hard to get through it. ONLY because it was E. Lynn's life. I know if he would have put EVERYTHING in the book, we'd continue to read that book for a longgggg time. I still feel there was 'stuff' we missed.

I tell you. After reading this book, I can appreciate him even MORE.

I luv Everette Lynn Harris.

Um, why didn't he mention his fraternities name? I wonder if the names he used were the correct names. I know one of the names (Deborah Crable) is legit...

A whole slew of stuff was missing from that book. I was like come on, come on, don't be shy.

I felt sooooo sad when his real daddy died. I wish he could/would reunite with his siblings.

I was curious about why he did not say that he pledged Alpha as well. So many people still think that he is a Kappa.

Very good book, I devoured it in like 2 days, but I wanted to know more about the man he is with now.

I was really saddened by all of his friends that died of AIDS.

AKA2D '91 · #15 08-11-2003, 09:49 PM

I was sad as well. I was especially

with the dude that had the "gold" benz. Was that Butch? I think his cancer was probably AIDS related.

I'm thinking he could be with ole dude he mentions in the end of the book that "helped" him get everything going with Just as I Am.

Wasn't he living with the guy, too? Or helped him to get the office space?

I can't believe he is almost 50.

His dayum stepdaddy was a FOOL!