Wake Up America: Black Women on the Future of Democracy

by Keisha N. Blain (editor)

From the coeditor of the best-selling Four Hundred Souls , a galvanizing anthology for those seeking to build an inclusive democracy. In 1968, civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer called for Americans to “wake up” if they wanted to “make democracy a reality.” Today, as Black communities continue to face challenges built on centuries of discrimination, her plea is increasingly urgent. In this exhilarating anthology of original essays, Keisha N. Blain brings together the voices of major progressive Black women politicians, grassroots activists, and intellectuals to offer critical insights on how we can create a more equitable political future. Incisive essays include those by former Senator Nina Turner on economic justice, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on reparations, Black Lives Matter cofounder Alicia Garza on political power, and abolitionist Mariame Kaba on freedom from policing. Wake Up America addresses our most pressing issues and provides key takeaways for readers inspired to enact change now. As the 2024 election heats up, the advice gathered here is indispensable.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Social Justice, Feminism, African American, History, Essays

256 pages, Hardcover

Published February 13, 2024

About the author

Keisha N. Blain is professor of Africana studies and history at Brown University. She is a columnist for MSNBC, a Guggenheim Fellow, and author—most recently of the National Book Critics Circle Award finalist Until I Am Free. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Shae Forest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting around to my review finally:) Thank you, NetGalley, for the copy of this book in exchange for my review :-)

I really enjoyed Wake Up America and found its collection of essays and perspectives deeply moving, particularly the ones highlighting the experiences of disabled Black women. These essays really made me reflect on how we often take our own circumstances for granted. We're so accustomed to seeing life through our own lens that we sometimes forget how much harder it can be for others, especially Black women.

The stories in this book served as a reminder of the challenges many people face, challenges we may not fully understand or consider in our daily lives. I found myself feeling more empathetic and aware of the privilege I have in comparison. It was a humbling and eye-opening read.

If I had one wish, it would be for the book to be longer. I loved the diverse perspectives shared, and I would have loved even more voices, stories, and experiences to learn from. Overall, Wake Up America is an insightful, thought-provoking read that I highly recommend!

[Daphinie Cramsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keisha N. Blain has edited an important anthology about creating and sustaining a society that truly upholds the promise of equality through democracy by collecting essays from Black women politicians, grassroots activists, and intellectuals. It covers so much and is incredibly invaluable.

With the holidays upcoming and needed conversations to be had with family and friends, this anthology serves to help engage in those conversations with incredible information with well researched data. (For those who might be heading tough territory with people who won’t even google to fact check).

For those who don’t know how to navigate those conversations, these chapters are short enough that you can have someone read the chapter themselves.

[Sanele · Rating 5 out of 5]

a political book critiquing discrimination, stereotypes, exploitation, violation of human rights and dignity, patriarchy and misogyny, homophobia, albeism, white supremacist ruling, it tells us to keep trying , to change this world with love , she says even if we do not live long enough to see it , as long as we keep trying , we should never allow the world to erase us black people, regardless of all that we have gone through, our presence should always be felt.

[Steph | bookedinsaigon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Buddy read with Pat and Ashley. DNFed at 32%. We tried, but sadly found the information contained within the book quite surface-level. This was not helped by the essay anthology format: each essay, written by a different person, felt repetitive without carrying the book's overall argument further.

While I was reading this, I was trying to figure out who the intended audience for this book was, because I don't think it was me. Was it for other Black women? But if so, why does the argument feel so basic? Author after author kept repeating the same ideas: The US is not a true democracy because it leaves some of its communities behind. The way to move forward is to vote more Black women and other underrepresented communities into positions of political influence at all levels of government. This is well and good... but it feels like something most Black women know already, just based on their lived experience in the US.

So, then, is the intended audience for people who are new to thinking about the societal ills of the US? I... guess so? But if that's so, then I wished that WUA had had more information on how the US came to be the way it is. The book seems to assume that the reader has some information coming in about the US' history of mistreating, dehumanizing, and terrorizing certain swathes of its population, but then still makes only the most obvious statements: Remember Black women. Remember Black disabled people. Remember trans people.

So yeah, I DNFed because I didn't feel I was learning anything new. And I'm not sure what Blain wants readers to take away from this book. Insisting that we need to vote more Black women into positions of power and to consider the rights of disabled/trans/etc people more is all well and good, but the book doesn't tell readers how to get there. It's like the book only tells the what, not the why or the how. I struggle to see how, say, an activist group can make the ideas in this book actionable, when the book's contributors don't talk about that either.

[Karna Bosman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wake Up America," edited by historian Keisha N. Blain, presents a collection of original essays written by twenty-two progressive Black women. This book tackles various pressing challenges from diverse perspectives, offering valuable insight into subjects such as race and women's rights, reproductive freedom, voting access, reparations, disability, sexuality, healthcare, political power and representation, education, anti-blackness/lgbtq+, and violence against Black/LGBTQ+/women.

THREE CORE THEMES:
- CLAIMING HUMAN RIGHTS
- BUILDING POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POWER
- COMBATTING ALL FORMS OF HATE

By delving into these topics, the book provides a blueprint for those committed to fostering democracy and creating a more inclusive and equitable society in the United States. The authors' insights offer guidance and inspiration for ongoing efforts to break down stereotypes, combat discrimination, and promote equality for marginalized populations.

The essayists analyze our present circumstances through a historical lens and highlight the actions necessary to challenge societal norms, dismantle oppressive systems, and uplift marginalized communities. By engaging with these diverse perspectives, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the issues and find inspiration to contribute to the ongoing fight for a more just society.

"Wake Up America" is a valuable resource for individuals seeking to comprehend and address the complex challenges of marginalized communities. By exploring the rich perspectives these essayists share, readers are encouraged to work towards creating a society that upholds the principles of equality, justice, and inclusivity.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

📱Thank you to NetGalley for an e-book ARC of this book. What a fantastic and important read. I think this book should be required reading in light of the 2024 election this year.

This book is an anthology of essays, written by 22 different black women, all activists/in politics. When I loved most was the emphasis on intersectionality these essays included. There were essays from black trans women, black disabled women, and black fat women. The essays covered how crucial it is to use black women’s experience as a litmus test for how democratic we are as a country. Because black women have the intersection of racism and sexism (misogynoir), if our country is not free and fair for black women, then we have yet to reach a true democracy.

These essays were rich in history, suffering, and inspiring stories. It is a call to action for America to wake up to the reality that we have work to do to reach a truly multiracial democracy. It’s an inspiring look-back at how black women have been the foundation of so many critical movements - past and present. This book taught me so much about the issues we need to educate ourselves on and the rights we need to uphold and fight for. It inspired me to be more politically active and informed. This book is required reading, especially right now.

[DC_Shellz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do Not Hit the Snooze Button

If you fear being taught something, overwhelmed with real talk, the perspective of a non opaque lens, then skip this read.

Great compilation of variety of inspirational and intuitive women in their own right. While anyone of the contributors can "annoy" you from what you think you may know of them, reading their contribution on the dearest perspective of situations robbing Black Women, robbing them of their total power, you see the weave pattern of a great Kent's cloth, quilt, basket.
This collection is special.
Something of Rach contributor can resonate with you, even if you found you did not align with their religion, political, social stance.
Reading this is sitting around a coffee table, fire, front porch and just talk, share and listen.
Hopefully this read can inspire more of us, to share, openly, uninhibited by all the confined of just living and being a Black Woman, A Woman of Color., A Woman of Difference.

[Liz Harmath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent essays. Hon. Crystal Hudson's "On Black Women's Electoral Power" spoke to my heart. Mariame Kaba's "On Freedom From Policing" was the best explanation of #DefundPolicing that I've read. This paragraph is the best example:
Many of those walls are in our heads. During a virtual teach-in in 2020, writer Patrick Blanchfield said that the police "are in our minds as a solution rather than as a problem." Whenever PIC abolitionists call for the elimination of policing, people immediately and aggressively push back by insisting that we provide "an alternative" to address public safety. The question hurled at us is "Well what will replace the police?" They should ask instead, what are police replacing? Or as Chicago-based organizer Damon Williams put it, "When I see police, I see 100 other jobs smashed into one thing with a gun."

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and W.W Norton & Company for providing a digital ARC copy of this book.

This thought-provoking and informative read delves into a variety of subjects, addressing crucial issues through personal stories. The contributors, a group of very talented individuals, invested a significant amount of effort into crafting a book that covers topics such as women's rights, reproductive rights, voting rights, anti-blackness, disability, sexuality, and healthcare. I strongly encourage everyone to pick up a copy of this book to gain insights into these important issues.

The authors skillfully use personal narratives to foster a connection with readers, making the topics more relatable. The book not only offers valuable information but also serves as a gateway to understanding our current societal climate and the challenges faced by black people and minorities of color. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive list of authors to guide readers on their journey towards anti-racism

[Miranda Brugman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an important book in today’s political climate. Thank you to the women who shared their views here on the impact of overt and covert racism and misogyny in America (and for the term mysogenoir, very cool term for very uncool behavior)

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good read.

[Jamie Schultz (whatjamieread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah I needed this!

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wake Up America is a must read collection of essays by various Black women involved in politics and/or activism. I really appreciated the variety of topics such as disability, reproductive rights, voting rights, sexuality, etc. I highly recommend to anyone looking to pick up a political nonfiction book.