Description

Cultural criticism and pop culture history intertwine in this important book which dissects how hip hop has sidelined Black womens identity and emotional wellbeing
Do you have a ride or die chick in your life A ride or die chick is a Black woman who holds down her family and community Shes that friend or family member that you can call up in the middle of the night to bail you out of jail if ever needed and you know shell show up and wont ask any questions She does anything for her family friends and significant other even at the cost of her own wellbeing No is not in her vocabulary Shes beloved by you and many others but her ride or die trope becomes a problem when she does it indiscriminately Her selfworth is connected to how much labor she can provide for others She goes above and beyond for everyone in every aspect of her lifework family church and often its not reciprocated and a ride or die chick doesnt require it to be because shes a strong Black woman To her love should be earned and theres no limit to what shell do for it

In this book author adjunct professor of sociology and former therapist Shanita Hubbard disrupts the ride or die complex and argues that this way of life has left Black women exhausted overworked overlooked and feeling depleted She suggests that Black women are to susceptible this mentality because its normalized in our culture It rings loud in our favorite hiphop songs and it even shows up in the most important relationship we will ever havethe one with yourself

Compassionate candid hardhitting and 100 unapologetic RideorDie melds Hubbards entertaining conversations with her Black girlfriends and her personal experiences as a redeemed rideordie chick and a former captain of the buildabrother team to fervently dismantle cultural norms that require Black women to take care of everyone but themselves

Ride or Die urges you to expel the myth that your selfworth is connected to how much labor you provide others and guides you toward healing Using hip hop as a backdrop to explore norms that are harmful to Black women Hubbard shows the way you may be unknowingly perpetuating this harm within your relationships Hubbard urges you to pull the plug on the ride or die chick