It Don't Hurt Now: My Journey of Self-Love & Self-Acceptance - Paperback

by Taylor Deed (Illustrator), Nyara Williams (Photographer), Christie Ann Cruise (Author)

For every woman in the process of healing from sexual abuse, negative body image, discrimination, and heartbreak, It Don't Hurt Now is a compilation of poems and reflections on life, love, pain, and healing that will serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement. A cross between Rupi Kaur's Milk and Honey, and the documentary Dark Girls by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry, It Don't Hurt Now is the first book of its kind to explore the intersectionality of gender, race and color, class, and religion and spirituality in the voice of the soul where these identities are inhabited. This book takes the reader on a journey of healing through letting go, learning to love, and connecting to spirit. It Don't Hurt Now is organized into six sections that discuss colorism, body image, depression, intimate relationships with men, sexual abuse, and spirituality. Readers will explore the complexities of social identities and the role the intersection of identities play in how women of color experience, internalize, and heal from colorism, sexual abuse, and body shaming/negative body image. This book targets women and girls who are experiencing or have ever experienced depression, anxiety, sexual abuse, bullying, low self-esteem, and loss. These experiences transcend race, color, social class, and religion and connect to a human experience that is shared too often by women and girls in our society. If you are on the road to healing from hurt and trauma associated with sexual abuse and assault, loss, bullying, and low self-esteem, this book will serve as a source of empowerment and hope for you.