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Lawrence Wishart Ltd Amy Ashwood Garvey and the Future of Black Feminist Archives (Radical Black Women Series).
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2024
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December 12, 2025
Amy Ashwood Garvey and the Future of Black Feminist Archives is a book that stayed with me long after I closed it. It is thoughtful, careful and rooted in the power of legacy. What I loved most is how it brings Amy Ashwood Garvey to life not only as a historical figure but as a woman whose work still speaks directly to the present.
The writing made me reflect on my own work in sexual health and HIV, and how care, truth telling and community knowledge form their own kind of archive. It reminded me that what we write and share today becomes part of a much longer history of Black women creating space for themselves and others.
I was especially moved by the discussion of language and identity. At a time when even using the word Black was seen as too bold, Amy Ashwood Garvey understood the power of naming ourselves. That act alone was political. It reminded me that language can be both a barrier and a tool for liberation.
The book also makes clear that she saw justice in a wide sense. Not just racial justice but economic justice, access, dignity and fairness. Her vision feels as relevant now as it did in her own lifetime. So many of the issues she fought remain alive in London and across the diaspora.
What I appreciated is the way the book honours the work of Black women as part of a wider archive. It shows how memory, writing and activism all serve as forms of care. Reading it made me feel seen and reminded me that our work, even when it feels small or everyday, becomes part of a record for those who come after us.
A powerful and beautifully written book. Thought provoking, grounding and full of resonance. I recommend it to anyone interested in Black feminist thought, history, archives or the ongoing work of reclaiming our stories.
The writing made me reflect on my own work in sexual health and HIV, and how care, truth telling and community knowledge form their own kind of archive. It reminded me that what we write and share today becomes part of a much longer history of Black women creating space for themselves and others.
I was especially moved by the discussion of language and identity. At a time when even using the word Black was seen as too bold, Amy Ashwood Garvey understood the power of naming ourselves. That act alone was political. It reminded me that language can be both a barrier and a tool for liberation.
The book also makes clear that she saw justice in a wide sense. Not just racial justice but economic justice, access, dignity and fairness. Her vision feels as relevant now as it did in her own lifetime. So many of the issues she fought remain alive in London and across the diaspora.
What I appreciated is the way the book honours the work of Black women as part of a wider archive. It shows how memory, writing and activism all serve as forms of care. Reading it made me feel seen and reminded me that our work, even when it feels small or everyday, becomes part of a record for those who come after us.
A powerful and beautifully written book. Thought provoking, grounding and full of resonance. I recommend it to anyone interested in Black feminist thought, history, archives or the ongoing work of reclaiming our stories.
Displaying 1 of 1 review