The US Review of Books praised Sherryl L. McCorkle’s “Afro-American Me” because the “writing is clear, and the story is well-paced”

Dylan Ward of the US Review of Books applauded Sherryl L. McCorkle’s “Afro-American Me”, stating that the author’s “collection of poems and essays resonates deeply personal truths about African American women, motherhood, and negative influences that lead to violence for inner-city youth. Her experience in earning a higher education degree in mental health brought back painful reflections of unforgotten memories and familial history, and this book illustrates her efforts to reconcile with them through the power of writing.”

“Afro-American Me” is a book of poems and essays the author wrote while studying at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, to earn an associate degree in mental health and chemical dependency. She once believed that writing essays about awareness and self-inventory were a surefire way to get a bad headache.

She realized she was wrong. More about herself was revealed to her than she could have ever imagined. College has been more than simply a means of obtaining a better degree; it has been a path to realizing her true calling and developing her artistic abilities.

The author’s pieces are connected by a common theme of identity. McCorkle’s self-assured uniqueness is admirable, and her writings display thoughtful contemplation. The author’s depiction of all she has gone through and accomplished in spite of it, however, also reveals an open humility.

The conflict between a mother’s desire to entertain seductive dreams and her need to support her family is explored in the poem “Striptease.” She acknowledges her identity and capacity for perseverance in “Here I Am.” The essay “Swagger,” in a similar vein, declares the author’s individuality and flare as someone who is “blessed and proud to be an African American woman.” In the article “My Unforgivable Childhood Memory,” McCorkle recalls the years-long agony that began at age seven when she moved in with her father after her mother relinquished custody.

Here’s an excerpt from the US Review of Books that highlights:

“Candid grayscale photographs of McCorkle and her family pepper the narrative, adding an intimate touch that connects the reader to the author’s text. McCorkle’s confidence certainly extends from the page to the audience, empowering readers to accept their own identity and live life to the fullest regardless of the odds.”