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outcolder's review against another edition
5.0
I especially like when Collins uses non-academic statements from black women talking about their own direct experiences to illustrate her points. I found myself quoting some of that in my day to day conversations with people.
There were a couple of moments where I was like, "Is it weird to be a white dude reading this?" But I think, even though there are sadly very few black women in my environment right now, that it is all somehow extremely relevant. Collins makes the point a few times that Black Feminism isn't just about combining antiracism with antisexism or just about the struggles of African(-American) women but it's about a broader social justice for everyone. Certainly anyone who is working for justice in any way would benefit from this book, and really anyone who doesn't want to be working for injustice...
When I read a book as dense as this, I don't try to get everything and 'unpack' everything. I figure, it'll make sense if I read further or one day I will read another book, or have some other kind of experience and then it'll make more sense. This edition has a glossary but I never checked it. Some reviewers talk about how academic it is, or note that it is a textbook, and there is the story in here of one of Collins' students who asked her to write a version of the book "for teenagers." I didn't think it was all that heavy. I think it all made sense to me. There are probably some things that will make more sense later, and I probably have forgotten more than I remember, but it's in there somewhere, like seeds beneath the snow to use a lovely cliche.
There were a couple of moments where I was like, "Is it weird to be a white dude reading this?" But I think, even though there are sadly very few black women in my environment right now, that it is all somehow extremely relevant. Collins makes the point a few times that Black Feminism isn't just about combining antiracism with antisexism or just about the struggles of African(-American) women but it's about a broader social justice for everyone. Certainly anyone who is working for justice in any way would benefit from this book, and really anyone who doesn't want to be working for injustice...
When I read a book as dense as this, I don't try to get everything and 'unpack' everything. I figure, it'll make sense if I read further or one day I will read another book, or have some other kind of experience and then it'll make more sense. This edition has a glossary but I never checked it. Some reviewers talk about how academic it is, or note that it is a textbook, and there is the story in here of one of Collins' students who asked her to write a version of the book "for teenagers." I didn't think it was all that heavy. I think it all made sense to me. There are probably some things that will make more sense later, and I probably have forgotten more than I remember, but it's in there somewhere, like seeds beneath the snow to use a lovely cliche.
graveyardpansy's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 - some outdated bits, but overall this book means a lot to general feminist theory. it's really well-written and more accessible than a lot of baseline feminist theory, which is done intentionally. I'm glad I read the second edition - the preface alone was really meaningful, and it's lovely to see Collins actively expanding her past work to be more and more applicable to contemporary structures and ideas. will probably reference in essays/videos in the future, it's definitely a wonderful background for Black and intersectional feminism, and would recommend to anyone.
epatrickmaddox's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
bexrecca's review
5.0
Everyone should read this book. I read this for the first time during a women's studies course as an undergrad, but it works so well, as she states, outside of academia. I find her analysis of Black female blues singers as a source of feminist thought especially interesting. Anyone and everyone interested in social justice should read this book. And then read it again.
gdobson's review against another edition
Kept falling asleep and forgetting where I was. Couldn’t finish after 2 months of renewing the loan.
redavisyoung's review
5.0
This book is an incredible work of critical social theory, one that provides a rare optimistic conclusion. It's complex and rich, but the writing is accessible enough for the lay reader to enjoy. I need to make a plan to revisit this book at least once a year.