Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Twenty-two notable progressive Black women weigh in on the question of how to build an inclusive, multiracial American democracy in these practical and inspiring essays gathered by historian Blain (Four Hundred Souls). Organized around the themes of claiming rights, building power, and combating hate, the short entries each address a single topic (reproductive rights, educational equity) from the perspective of someone who has worked to address the issue. Contributors including Black Lives Matter cofounder Alicia Garza and EMILY's List president Laphonza Butler offer practical proposals and concrete action plans, many of which the authors are already involved in trying to implement, such as contributor Sheila Jackson Lee's reintroduction of reparations bill H.R. 40 to Congress in 2021. The overall vision is one of equal rights via democratic participation for all, and the approaches presented lean toward such mainstream progressive platforms as improved voter access and participation, more diverse political representation, coalition building, and legislative solutions to discrimination--though some more radical ideas, including police abolition, make an appearance. Liberal readers will relish the easy access to an array of cohesive big-picture thinking. (Feb.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Black women leaders demonstrate how we can create "an inclusive and multiracial democracy." Echoing Fannie Lou Hamer's call to "wake up" to the urgency of addressing the unfinished business of "building democracy," Blain, author of Until I Am Free and Set the World on Fire, brings together an impressive roster of Black women to discuss some of the most divisive issues facing us today. Among other topics, the contributors address reproductive and voting rights, racial equity in health care, equal pay, economic justice, and disability and LGBTQ+ rights. In the introduction, Blain astutely notes that Black women, having historically endured the most brutal deprivation of citizenship and human rights, "are uniquely positioned to combat injustices in our society." They're also the most dedicated voting bloc in America today. In the first part of the book, Laphonza Butler, former president of EMILYs List, recently appointed as California senator after the death of Dianne Feinstein, writes about how the devastating rollback of Roe v. Wade in 2022 should only reenergize the movement to elect pro-choice women to public office. Raquel Willis movingly argues that despite increased visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, the voices of trans people continue to be sidelined. In the second part, "Building Power," Dr. Rhea Boyd weighs in on racial inequity in the broken American health care system, and Donna Brazile discusses what she is known for as a Democratic strategist: breaking through sexist barriers to initiate "coalition building." In the final section, "Combating Hate," contributors take on the systematic and often violent indignities that still confront Black Americans. Dr. Jacqui Lewis writes eloquently about the Zulu concept of ubuntu, or the fierce sense of humanity that binds us all. Most contributors offer a historical context and specific strategies for moving forward. A dynamic chorus of voices leading the way in bolstering a true democracy. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
