BLACK GIRLS MUST BE MAGIC by Jayne Allen
Categories Reading in Africa
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Do we ever finish growing? Does learning ever end?

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“This book tackles real life themes such as  politics, relationships, friendships, mental health as well as family dynamics. I loved the storytelling and the realness and complexity of the characters.”
When do we get to self actualization? At what point do the challenges end? These are questions I started to ask myself as I began to read this books


In the first installment of the series(black girls must die exhausted), we are introduced to Tabitha Walker and her life and experiences. Just when we thought she had arrived at the point of self acceptance and actualization, she falls pregnant after she was told she may not be able to have biological children.


In Black Girls Must be magic, we follow Tabitha's journey during pregnancy with a new set of setbacks to her identity. As a black woman in journalism there are many expectations including what is acceptable on television. So when Tabitha decided to wear her hair natural on television, there were mixed reactions to it.


Tabitha grapples with finding her voice at work, gaining confidence to speak up for what she believes in as well as navigating motherhood on her own terms. So often we tend to go with the flow and let things be because that's just how they've always been. Jayne Allen, through Tabitha Walker, challenges us to question the things we thought we wanted, as a result of nurture, for what we truly want based on who we are. This story is not just about Tabitha Walker, this story is about all of us. What are those things you have told yourself you need in order to love yourself? How have you conformed to society because of how you were raised? When was the last time you made an unconventional decision and moved forward with it despite the opinions of those around you? Tabitha shows us that those who matter to you will love you no matter what, even through disappointment. She allows us to look inside ourselves and question what society has said we should be. Tabitha fumbles through but with the help of a red coat and a few friends, she makes it through.


This book tackles real life themes such as  politics, relationships, friendships, mental health as well as family dynamics. I loved the storytelling and the realness and complexity of the characters. Looking forward to following Tabitha on her journey to motherhood in the next installment: Black Girls Must Have It All.