There are many outstanding features in Gabrielle Union’s We’re Going to Need More Wine and I must mention them right away: Self-honesty, intelligence compassion, integrity, activism and humor.

A somber child in grade school, Union absorbed the absolute necessity to assimilate in a predominately white school. While looking for a comfort-zone she mastered the knack of identifying prejudice in peers through many an insult and developmentally appropriate confusion. Harassment always calls for introspection and thru a process of trial and error over time, Union was determined to figure out who she was with respect to the culture, to racism and sexuality. As one often does Union looked for love in several of the wrong places until she came upon the relationship in which she was most able to love and be loved in return for who she really is.

An actress who has been in many films most recently including the lead role in TV’s Being Mary Jane her ideals and fortitude regarding identity reached out to others thru activism. A survivor of a horrifying rape at gunpoint at 19 years of age, Union went into therapy right away while still in college, brought the rapist to court, won the case (the evidence was incontestable) and he was put in jail for 33 years. Then she sued the store she worked in at the time for not having any security to protect their employees and customers. Does she win? Yes she does. In fact a constant theme throughout her life is her strength in developing coping skills through trauma while exploring relationships and career while accessing the impact of the open-wound of racism within her and others. Gauging mental health and wellness against the daily throbbing fears of violence against Blacks has also played a major role in being a step-mother to their three male children, with her husband Dwayne Wade as well. ‘The Talk’ that is so necessary to inform them of what they cannot do that white boys can do with no problem, is a coming of age wake-up call for them. Union calls her directives to inform, instruct and at times forbid them to take any unnecessary risks The Big Bomb.

Throughout her life Union was learning how to love herself, her body, her Blackness. A tricky piece of work because in these times we see Blacks murdered in social media, disposed of as one dispose a used napkin. The bullying she experienced, the hatred and visibility ensures second-guessing oneself, one’s value for a long time. However Union works on herself and is incredibly frank having found her voice, a voice no one will be taking away from her and encourages others to find theirs. A fascinating life, a complex read about an autonomous woman for those who are willing to gain insight beyond Union’s celebrity to delve more fully into the power-dynamic that fuels her ambition, reveals her concerns and her love of life and humanity. A must read.

© 2017 Kaolin

Kaolin is the author of Talking About Race: A Workbook About White People Fostering Racial Equality in Their Lives. Kaolin’s 2^nd book, Protocol: Welcome to Paradise, Watch Your Step will be launched in 2018. Go to HTTP://WWW.LTAR.BIZ  for more information.