Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements

by Charlene Carruthers

Hardcover, 2018

Status

Available

Call number

HQ75.6 .U5 C36 2018

Publication

Beacon Press (2018), 192 pages

Description

Politics. Sociology. Women's Studies. Nonfiction. HTML:A manifesto from one of America's most influential activists which disrupts political, economic, and social norms by reimagining the Black Radical Tradition. Drawing on Black intellectual and grassroots organizing traditions, including the Haitian Revolution, the US civil rights movement, and LGBTQ rights and feminist movements, Unapologetic challenges all of us engaged in the social justice struggle to make the movement for Black liberation more radical, more queer, and more feminist. This book provides a vision for how social justice movements can become sharper and more effective through principled struggle, healing justice, and leadership development. It also offers a flexible model of what deeply effective organizing can be, anchored in the Chicago model of activism, which features long-term commitment, cultural sensitivity, creative strategizing, and multiple cross-group alliances. And Unapologetic provides a clear framework for activists committed to building transformative power, encouraging young people to see themselves as visionaries and leaders.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member mitchellray
Carruthers's stated purpose for writing this book is to provide a starting point for constructing a working model for organizing. Her book makes a good start toward that end. This is not a how-to text. Rather, Carruthers shares her own experiences as an activist for Black liberation and her
Show More
perspective as a Black radical, feminist, queer, anti-capitalist. She carefully examines herself and the Black liberation movement to extract relevant lessons for radicals fighting the oppression of marginalized people. Her writing is clear and straightforward. She does not hesitate to criticize herself and the movement when necessary, but that criticism comes out of a deep commitment to learn and better serve the cause of Black liberation. Of course, she is generous in her outrage against the oppressive systems that dominate our society. But her writing is not that of a raging lunatic. She writes with intelligence and thinks deeply about the Black liberation movement. This is a book that will both challenge and inspire its readers.
Show Less
LibraryThing member pomo58
Unapologetic by Charlene A Carruthers is a book that serves several distinct purposes, not all of them intentional. A valuable read for anyone concerned with creating an equitable world for everyone.

Perhaps first and foremost this is a manual for activists. While Carruthers' uses a black, queer,
Show More
and feminist lens the particulars of how a successful and effective activist organization functions is valid for many other types of organizations. That said, the distinct perspective she brings will, ideally, influence not just the functioning but also the values of diverse organizations.

This is also a wonderful memoir-type of read, though that is not its main purpose. Carruthers is an intelligent and dynamic person who readily admits errors and missteps. She knows by doing so both she and those around her will be better. By doing so in this book, she broadens the number of people "around her" and thus helps all of us to be better.

Any questions I had while reading were ones based on my ignorance of certain ideas. They were not intended to be covered in this book so it certainly doesn't count against it. In fact, it is a positive about the book that it generated substantive questions in my mind that I can now know to go find answers for. Any book that generates questions AND the desire to find the answers is a powerful addition to my life.

I would definitely recommend this to both activists and those wondering whether to be (or how to be) activists. The lessons included not only pertain to organizational and group dynamics but will also serve to enrich your personal life as well.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via LibraryThing.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bemislibrary
Author Carruthers questions why should a person have to apologize for the color of their skin, what social class they belong to, or their sexual orientation. She presents three commitments to change; building strong leaders, adopting a healing justice as a core organizing value and practice, and
Show More
combating liberalism with a principled struggle. What is nice about the book is the sections on five questions and the Chicago model for identifying opportunities for activism. While the primary focus is Black relevance and engagement, the material provides a path for any disenfranchised group. Notes and an index are provided.
Show Less

Awards

Lambda Literary Award (Finalist — 2019)

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

8.76 inches

ISBN

0807019410 / 9780807019412
Page: 0.2615 seconds