Women, Race & Class
From one of our most important scholars and civil rights activist icon, a powerful study of the women's liberation movement and the tangled knot of oppression facing Black women. "Angela Davis is herself a woman of undeniable courage. She should be heard."--The New York Times
Angela Davis provides a powerful history of the social and political influence of whiteness and elitism in feminism, from abolitionist days to the present, and demonstrates how the racist and classist biases of its leaders inevitably hampered any collective ambitions. While Black women were aided by some activists like Sarah and Angelina Grimke and the suffrage cause found unwavering support in Frederick Douglass, many women played on the fears of white supremacists for political gain rather than take an intersectional approach to liberation. Here, Davis not only contextualizes the legacy and pitfalls of civil and women's rights activists, but also discusses Communist women, the murder of Emmitt Till, and Margaret Sanger's racism. Davis shows readers how the inequalities between Black and white women influence the contemporary issues of rape, reproductive freedom, housework and child care in this bold and indispensable work.
Angela Davis provides a powerful history of the social and political influence of whiteness and elitism in feminism, from abolitionist days to the present, and demonstrates how the racist and classist biases of its leaders inevitably hampered any collective ambitions. While Black women were aided by some activists like Sarah and Angelina Grimke and the suffrage cause found unwavering support in Frederick Douglass, many women played on the fears of white supremacists for political gain rather than take an intersectional approach to liberation. Here, Davis not only contextualizes the legacy and pitfalls of civil and women's rights activists, but also discusses Communist women, the murder of Emmitt Till, and Margaret Sanger's racism. Davis shows readers how the inequalities between Black and white women influence the contemporary issues of rape, reproductive freedom, housework and child care in this bold and indispensable work.
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Community Reviews
A landmark work on intersectional culture & history.
I guess I wasn’t really surprised at how relevant this book still is—I never had any illusion that these issues had gone away, and Davis’ analysis is deep enough that applies to them even as they’ve changed over time. What did surprise me is the . . . sturdiness of Davis’ critiques. No one would accuse her of being a conventional thinker, but neither is she anti-conventional. But she has a broad, deep historical knowledge of marginalized groups in the US, and it shows. She stakes positions on subjects regardless of conventional thinking, and supports her claims well.
Not to mention, of course, that she’s a powerful analytical thinker and an articulate writer, which made the book interesting to read, at almost every moment.
I guess I wasn’t really surprised at how relevant this book still is—I never had any illusion that these issues had gone away, and Davis’ analysis is deep enough that applies to them even as they’ve changed over time. What did surprise me is the . . . sturdiness of Davis’ critiques. No one would accuse her of being a conventional thinker, but neither is she anti-conventional. But she has a broad, deep historical knowledge of marginalized groups in the US, and it shows. She stakes positions on subjects regardless of conventional thinking, and supports her claims well.
Not to mention, of course, that she’s a powerful analytical thinker and an articulate writer, which made the book interesting to read, at almost every moment.
I finished this in a single road trip.
While this book was published a little over 40 years ago, I would argue that it still rings true and essential to read for the person who cares about the rights of others and themselves.
Also remarkably eloquent and well-organized. Perfectly hits the line between accessibility and credibility.
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