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Women, Race & Class

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'Women, Race & Class' by Angela Y. Davis is a thought-provoking collection of essays that delves into the intersectionality of feminism, race, and class in American history. Davis uncovers the historical and contemporary issues within women's movements that overlook the needs of black and other non-white women. She explores topics such as early rich white American lady reproductive rights work, the exclusion of women of color and working-class ladies from the movement, and the ties between the anti-slavery campaign and the struggle for women's suffrage. Through detailed research and insightful analysis, Davis sheds light on the racism and classism present in the women's liberation movement and advocates for unity in the fight for equality.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines engaging storytelling with thorough research, making complex historical issues accessible to a wide audience.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative presents a historical analysis of the women's movement, emphasizing the intersections of race, class, and gender, and highlighting the contributions of marginalized groups.

Setting:

The setting is predominantly in the United States, exploring historical contexts from slavery to modern feminist movements.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with individual essays providing depth on specific topics, allowing readers to engage with each piece meaningfully.

Notes:

Angela Y. Davis focuses on the contributions of Black women in the women’s movement.
The book explores the relationship between race, class, and gender in history.
Davis highlights how white women often ignored the needs of Black women.
She discusses the economic oppression that continued after the abolition of slavery.
The book provides insights on the complexities of womanhood across different races.
Davis connects the abolitionist movement with the fight for women's suffrage.
It examines the racial dynamics in the suffrage movement, highlighting the exclusion of women of color.
The text includes discussions on reproductive rights and the history of surgical sterilization of poor women.
Davis confronts racism in the fight for birth control and reproductive justice.
The book is a significant precursor to the concept of intersectionality in feminist discourse.
Each chapter is detailed enough to warrant its own discussion or course.
The book was originally published in the early 80s but remains relevant today.
Davis critiques capitalism and its impact on women’s issues.
It's recommended for a wide audience, not just feminists, to understand historical inequalities.
Davis found a connection between women's issues and broader civil rights movements.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains discussions of racism, sexual assault, and historical oppression, which may be triggering for some readers.

From The Publisher:

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.

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About the Author:

Angela Y. Davis is a political activist, scholar, author, and speaker. She is an outspoken advocate for the oppressed and exploited, writing on Black liberation, prison abolition, the intersections of race, gender, and class, and international solidarity with Palestine. She…

 
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