Black People Don’t Read
A total myth. Nearly everyone has read the quote: “Want to hide something from Black people, put it in a book.” The reality is that Blacks read per capita more than any other racial group. According to the Pew Research Internet Project, 81 percent of Blacks 18 or older are likely to read a book a year, leading all racial groups. Whites were 76 percent likely and Hispanics 67 percent. Additionally, The African-American Literary Guide notes that there are more than 250,000 Black book clubs in America.
Black People Don’t Go to Therapy
There was a time, decades ago, when it was considered a sign of weakness to seek professional help. Black people took their burdens to God or the church. Times have changed. The bestselling book by Terrie Williams — “Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting” — addressed depression in a Black person visiting a psychologist to talk through issues. “I’ve seen an increasing number of African-Americans who feel increasingly less stigmatized about coming in and seeking therapy and who also recognize the healing power of therapy,” Jeffrey Gardere, a psychologist in private practice and assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City, told The Washington Post. He added he has seen a 20 percent to 25 percent increase in the last decade in African-Americans seeking therapy.
