Shadowboxing: Representations of Black Feminist Politics

by NA NA, Kenneth A. Loparo (Editor)

Overview

Shadowboxing presents an explosive analysis of the history and practice of black feminisms, drawing upon political theory, history, and cultural studies in a sweepingly interdisciplinary work. Joy James charts new territory by synthesizing theories of social movements with cultural and identity politics. She brings into the spotlight images of black female agency and intellectualism in radical and anti-radical political contexts. From a comparative look at Ida B. Wells, Ella Baker, Angela Davis, and Assata Shakur to analyses of the black woman in white cinema and the black man in feminist coalitions, she focuses attention on the invisible or the forgotten. James convincingly demonstrates how images of powerful women are either consigned to oblivion or transformed into icons robbed of intellectual power. Shadowboxing honors and analyzes the work of black activists and intellectuals and, along the way, redefines the sharp divide between intellectual work and political movements. A daringly original study, this book changes what it means to be American.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312294496
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication date:	05/07/2002
Edition description:	1999
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

JOY JAMES is Professor of Political Theory, Department of Africana Studies at Brown University. Her books include Transcending the Talented Tenth: Black Leaders and American Intellectuals and The Angela Y. Davis Reader.

Table of Contents

Introduction
• Forging Community: From Segregation to Transcendence
• Protofeminists and Liberation Limbos
• Radicalizing Feminisms from “The Movement” Era
• Contemporary Revolutionary Icons and “Neoslave Narratives”
• Depoliticizing Representations: Sexual-Racial Stereotypes
• Fostering Alliances: Black Male Profeminisms
• Conclusion: Framing Feminism

What People are Saying About This

Barbara Christian

Joy James's new book demonstrates how seeing the world's major issues from a black feminist perspective yields new ways of knowing, not only for the academic world but for those of us who are still on the ground. If you want progressive change that can guide you to new ways of thinking/acting, that is Shadowboxing.

Sonia Sanchez

This is one of the fundamental intellectual books of our time. A book that is to be read, reread not only for the 'herstory' but for what the book becomes: an historical document that informs, questions, redefines our thinking about issues too serious to be trivialized in non-visionary language. An extraordinary book.

Robin D. G. Kelley

As Marx tells us, to be radical is to go to the roots. As Joy James's remarkable book shows us, to find true revolutionaries we must enter the shadows, that difficult semi-visible place where radical, antiracist feminists fight multiple battles at once. Shrouded in reactionary racial, gender, and sexual representations, these radical black women face attacks from all sides--from the racial state to their self-proclaimed allies. James's courageous jousting, however, rips these representations to shreds and reveals a radical tradition that could free us all.
—Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Yo' Mama's DisFunktional!: Fighting the Culture Wars in Urban America

Michael Eric Dyson

Professor James is indeed a joy to behold! With this book, she rightfully takes her place as one of our nation's most brilliant social critics and feminist theorists." --Michael Eric Dyson

Editorial Reviews

"Remarkable...James reveals a radical tradition that could free us all." - Robin D. G. Kelley

"With the publication of Shadowboxing...Joy James is poised to become a major figure among contemporary black intellectuals." - Mark Anthony Neal, Washington Post Book World

"A provocative look at the dynamics of race, gender, and radicalism." - Ebony

"An interdisciplinary and well-analyzed representation of radical black women fighting for rights and visibility." - Library Journal

From the Publisher

Remarkable...James reveals a radical tradition that could free us all.

Robin D. G. Kelley

With the publication of Shadowboxing...Joy James is poised to become a major figure among contemporary black intellectuals. —Washington Post Book World

Mark Anthony Neal

A provocative look at the dynamics of race, gender, and radicalism.

Ebony

Using many of the same historical figures found in Transcending the Talented Tenth (LJ 11/1/96), James (ethnic studies, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder) rejects the liberalism of conventional black feminism for a radical agenda, which, in the tradition of black feminists Ella Baker and Ida B. Wells, targets capitalism and the state as perpetuators of race, class, and gender oppression. Their legacy of radicalism and activism is juxtaposed to the black feminist praxis and thought of Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, and Elaine Brown. This book successfully demonstrates that black feminism is authentically rooted in the black community. Especially enlightening is James's discussion on "distinctions between black men championing black females as patriarchal protectors and black men championing feminism to challenge sexism." An interdisciplinary and well-analyzed representation of radical black women fighting for rights and visibility. Recommended for women's studies, African American studies, or political collections.--Sherri Barnes, Long Island Univ. Lib., Brooklyn Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Drawing upon political theory, history, cultural studies, and her own life, James (political theory, Brown University) describes the evolution of black feminist politics and analyzes the work of black activists and intellectuals such as Ida B. Wells, Ella Baker, and Assata Shakur. She demonstrates how images of powerful women are trivialized or consigned to oblivion. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews