Welfare Warriors

by Premilla Nadasen

In her study of the welfare rights movement, Premilla Nadasen breaks new ground by tracing the history of a distinctive brand of feminism that emerged in the 1960s.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Race, Feminism, Social Welfare, Politics, Class

340 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2004

Reviews

[Quin Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this compelling, rich historical account of the United States Welfare Rights Movement, Premilla Nadasen reveals the struggles of poor and working class mothers of color for economic justice and societal respect. Detailing the history of the movement from its grassroots beginnings through its brief moment of national prominence and its eventual decline, Nadasen brilliantly demonstrates the empowerment and real victories that multiply marginalized activists can achieve when organizing against the conditions of their own lives. This book also serves as a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when white, middle class, largely male "allies" get too much control over a poor women of color's movement. Despite this unfortunate dynamic, the grassroots base of the Welfare Rights Movement was nonetheless able to develop a Black feminist consciousness, and eventually turn NWRO into a feminist organization, albeit as the movement as a whole was on the decline. This book also provides an excellent case study on what Chela Sandoval has called the "Methodology of the Oppressed" (also an excellent book, btw). Fighting to have their work as mothers be recognized and supported by wider society, the women of the Welfare Rights Movement are an inspiration to all those interested in meaningful liberation and justice for women, people of color, the working class, mothers, and all those who struggle under white supremacist, capitalist patriarchy.

In response to complaints that the book is "too long," or is repetitive, I would argue that 1. a substantive account of the multiple actors, forces, ideologies, power relations, and impacts at play here requires a lengthy, detailed treatment and 2. while the book can feel somewhat repetitive at times, part of this is due to the process of historical research, which requires the building of a argument supported by many smaller pieces of evidence, separated in time and place. Thus, given these constraints, I would say Nadsen has done a commendable job of crafting an accessible, engaging narrative of the Welfare Rights Movement.

[Kyla · Rating 2 out of 5]

What could have been said in 14 pages was said in about twenty times as many pages.