Tyler Perry has done it again with his new book, DON’T MAKE A BLACK WOMAN TAKE OFF HER EARRINGS. He is talking in the voice of Madea Simmons. Madea opens the book with a bit about her early life and therefore gives the basis for the wisdom that she imparts later. She tells us about her gun-toting sometimes prostitute mother and her various uncles, all named Johnson: Uncle Little Johnson, Uncle Big Johnson, Uncle Wide Johnson, etc. We learn about her father who became passive and slightly “off” after being hit in the head by a falling log at his job in the lumberyard.

After we’re introduced to her family, Madea gives some very sage advice about life, love and living. Her chapter on depression could help a great many people. She advises parents today to stop trying to be their child’s friend and be his/her parent. Her advice: make them respect you. Madea gives information about flirting – when it’s overboard and when it’s right. Then there is her chapter to young girls about her “klick klick, lock it up,” explaining to them that no man goes around saying he wants a good ho, which is what you’ll be if you give it away to everybody. She is also right on about aging. Don’t try to make yourself younger. Enjoy every minute that you have on this earth. For every wrinkle and bag that you have, you have learned something about life.

On almost every page, there is a laugh-out-loud moment. Buried in the humor is advice about every part of life and all of it is wise and useful. It is a well-written book that is hard to put down once you start that first page. Tyler Perry has written a hit that everybody in America can use, whether young or old, black or white, male or female. It is indeed a universal read and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers