Black Women in White America: A Documentary History

by Gerda Lerner (Editor)

In this documentary history, black women themselves tell not only what it's like to be oppressed —as blacks and as women—but also how they have managed to survive. Here are stories of women who built a school "on a garbage dump"; of the little-known but vitally important networks of women's organizations dedicated to self-help and the struggle for human dignity; of the victims of the Ku Klux Klan, beatings and lynchings. The documents, many of them previously unpublished and long hidden in archives across the country, fill in important chapters in the history of America. "Dr. Lerner gives us material which can change images that whites have had of blacks, and possibly even those which we, as blacks, have of ourselves." -Maya Angelou, 'Life'

Genres: History, Feminism, Nonfiction, Race, African American, Womens, Politics

630 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Gerda Lerner was a historian, author and teacher. She was a professor emeritus of history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a visiting scholar at Duke University.

Lerner was one of the founders of the field of women's history, and was a former president of the Organization of American Historians. She played a key role in the development of women's history curricula. She taught what is considered to be the first women's history course in the world at the New School for Social Research in 1963. She was also involved in the development of similar programs at Long Island University (1965–1967), at Sarah Lawrence College from 1968 to 1979 (where she established the nation's first Women's History graduate program), at Columbia University (where she was a co-founder of the Seminar on Women), and from 1980 until her retirement as Robinson Edwards Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

(from Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had so many insightful stories and speeches from powerful activist women. It was encouraging to read about the steps toward change that they were taking back then, and to see how some of those steps have manifest today. It was also somewhat disheartening to be reminded that despite all of that change, there are still many of the same oppressive factors at-play today. Some of the personal anecdotes that were included were truly profound and emotional reads; partly because it is saddening and infuriating to know that people lived through such difficult times, but also because so much of it currently exists, albeit in more covert ways than in the past. I'd love to read another book like this from the past 10 years to know how other Black women's lived experiences have changed (or not changed) since this publication.

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly one of the most important books I’ve read concerning women’s studies. For over a hundred years the black woman has had to deal with the double whammy of being both a woman and black. The passages on rape and lynching made me sick to my stomach as it would any one with any heart at all. It took a long time for me to get through this book, not because it was dull, but because it had me thinking, it hurt my heart, it forced me to look outside of myself and my experience. I really think this book should be read by everyone. Maybe then we could see each other instead of color.

[Karla Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life as a young person. Essential reading.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

...and somehow it takes a White woman to show those incompetent Black women the way. A White woman who makes a good living off the taxes collected from the work of the said Black women.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The insights that Lerner offers into the day-to-day resistance and struggles of oppressed black women throughout history (particularly, during slavery), give tribute to their strength and resilience.

[Benjamin Fasching-Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of exciting stuff in here, including some excerpts of interviews Lerner herself made. Maybe some of the short contextual essays are showing their age, and maybe there’s not enough Black Joy to counter all the Black Trauma, but this is a strong collection that shows how Black women have been thinking and acting intersectionally since slavery days. Lerner also chooses a broad range of voices, from the politics of respectability over to radical left. One surprise appearance here is a woman leader of the Republic of New Africa.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a totally readable collection of ordinary women’s lives. Put together in 1970, it includes interviews with amazing women who worked on the ground for economic, social and political equality. It’s divided into themes that are roughly chronological and I’m sure when it came out there were few things like that. But it stands the test of time for readability even if it does lack thorough context for these primary sources.

[Yoly [♥] · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's frightening to think that those times actually existed. But we aren't too far off yet today, are we? The black women from the white America back then had strength and will. Their fear was understandable; and their determination to make it through each day was honorable!

[Meniek]

An interesting book. This book contains the papers published from manuscripts stored in various libraries in America. Its content is the experience of black women since the time of the pre-exemption until 1970 when a black woman was speak about Womanhood, like white women.

[Mary Robinette Kowal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very painful personal histories.

[Jaclynn (JackieReadsAlot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich collection of personal stories compiled and presented by women's historian Gerta Lerner. This is a very accessible and readable collection of the lives of ordinary women and activists. Th amount of work Lerner spent in researching and putting these together is impressive, and not at all academic or dull, but there's a lot of information here! Put together in 1970, it includes interviews with amazing women who worked on the ground for economic, social and political empowerment. It’s divided into themes that are roughly chronological and though 50 years old, it stands the test of time for readability and importance of content.

[Marta E C R · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this is old (published in 1972), it is an excellent collection of primary sources which still has great pertinence today. In addition to all of the various selections in the book, it is also a great source of further reading, citing many autobiographies and biographies of black women, as well as other historical sources of information. I recommend it highly.

[Oh Breen · Rating 1 out of 5]

How does a white woman know what it’s like being a black woman in this sick world! So sick of white people using OUR story, OUT history to make a dollar!!! What has she done for the black community! Typical slave master, make money off OUR race!

[jacquelyn harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

shares really important personal histories and influential leaders!

[Candi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of this book is reprinting original documentation that can be used to prepare histories of Black women in the US. Having read biographies and memoirs of some African American women throughout the same period I really appreciate the fuller picture I now have. Gerda Lerner added some editorial material to facilitate the understanding of the documents and in some cases to give context. Her material is a very small portion of the book and well written.

So much of this is about the documents speaking for themselves. I don't know how much it was intended as a cover to cover read, which I did. The organization of the documents grouped into topics and chronologically within the topics allowed for a through thread for cover to cover reading. All of the selections are readable and enlightening. There are topics that are unpleasant to read but that was to be expected with the subject matter.

I have one rebuttal to one other reviewer who only made one comment- yes, it was written by a white woman but a white women who fought for the idea of women's studies; a white woman who participated in the civil rights struggle; a white woman who was in position to pull this together at a time when few Black women were; a white woman who was able to go looking for this material that no one else had worked to bring light on. I read women's history when it is written by men, it is of no less value. I would have loved to see something like this by a Black woman, does it exist? And in this case as much as possible, the actual documents were written by Black women. Did you even read the book or just disparage it because of the editor?