A black womans life and liberation in heavy metal is her personal account of dealing with being the only black woman in the concert hall dawes also covers the history of black women in rock music from the early days of pre rock with bessie smith and billie holliday to tina turner and skin of skunk anansie. What are you doing here investigates how black women musicians and fans navigate the metal hardcore and punk music genres that are regularly thought of as inclusive spaces and centered on a community spirit but fail to block out the race and gender issues that exist in the outside world. A black womans life and liberation in heavy metal paperback illustrated january 8 2013 by laina dawes author skin foreword 46 out of 5 stars 49 ratings. A black womans life and liberation in heavy metal is all about laina dawes born and raised in canada was adopted into a white family who accepted her interest in heavy metal music. a black womans life and liberation in heavy metal what are you doing here a black womans life and liberation in heavy metal bazillion points by laina dawes in the search for metal knowledge there is always a place for a niche perspective