Words of Fire: An Anthology of African-American Feminist Thought

by Beverly Guy-Sheftall (Editor)

The first comprehensive collection to trace the development of African-American feminist thought.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Race, African American, Philosophy, Gender, History

577 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Wariesi]

I enjoyed this reader but I didn't appreciate that it was written ONLY for African-American women. The anthology would have been more comprehensive had it included the experiences of Black women around the world. Are they not connected to African-American woman's experience here in the states?

There's no silver lining in this book. The insights are untouchable but the Black woman in America is not completely hopeless as the book would lead one to believe. Powerful, but it should be read over time- with many, many, many breaks in between.

[Renee P]

Words of Fire: An Anthology of African-American Feminist Thought approaches the topic of African-American intellectual thought by examining the writings and work of women working toward racial and gender equity. The seven chapters separate Black women’s discourse by its response to and shaping of the discourse pertinent to each generation. One of the most recurrent themes, from Sojourner Truth to Florynce Kennedy to bell hooks, is the idea of economic inequity. Specifically, its doubled impact upon women and more specifically, Black women.
Much of the scholarship builds off the work of previous Black women scholars and acts in conversation to the preceding writers. The work included (and not included) in this anthology shows how Black feminist scholarship pushed back against not only patriarchy, but capitalism and homophobia, xenophobia, etc. In this sense, the Black feminist pedagogy that Gloria Joseph describes how those facing multiple jeopardies were “prepared to radically change capitalist white America” (471). African American feminist thought has always and continues to influence social and political movements advocating for Civil Rights and equity, like The Movement for Black Lives today.

[Kate Savage]

A powerful gathering of the words of black women in the U.S., fighting for their own liberation. The essays begin in the 1830s and continue through 1995. I would love to read a second volume for the quarter century since then.

I'm so grateful I get to live in a world where there is strong and vibrant intersectional feminist thought and action. And it only exists because of people like this.

[Leah Larsen]

i didn’t read all of it but man were some parts so good

[Martha]

I keep starting and deleting this review, because all the superlatives I try sound empty and cliched. It is great, though. Really great. And inspiring, and infuriating, and lots of other adjectives. Well-selected essays, a broad range of authors -- some well-known, many not -- and a nicely managed progression. Also, Tracye Matthews is there, which makes most things about 15% better no matter the context.

[Aitza]

This was required reading for an undergraduate seminar I took and I can say, purchasing this book instead of renting it was one of the best decisions I made. I very much appreciate the focus on African American/Black American women’s voices and the historically richness provided. It beautiful portrays the costs our foremothers paid for the privileges we have today.

[Ernest]

A good introduction to African American feminist history and philosophy. The essays cover the time period of 1830's to 1990's. An impressive collection of essays on racism, sexism, and class and how those barriers affect the lives of black women.

[Donna Spalter]

I am one of the writers

[Shelby]

Remarkable collection of essays from equally remarkable women. I haven't read all of the selections but I am planning on finishing it up this summer.

[Megan Sanks]

These fiery words drew me in and made me grow.

[Amir]

I read a few selected excerpts from this book during my undergraduate year. I'm so grateful that Guy-Sheftall has not published the works of black women such as Audre Lorde, Claudia Jones, Hill-Collins, and Hansberry, to name a few. This book also includes a concise biography for each prolific writer and collective to help contextualize how feminist thought emerges throughout time.

A must-read in my opinion.

[Jacobi Gilbert]

Dr. Guy-Sheftall performs heavy archival work, excavating and revealing the Black Feminist Cosmology starting with 1830's figures such as Maria Miller Stewart and Gertrude Bustill Mossell ending with Alice Walker, Barbara Ransby, and Tracye Mathhews in the 1990's. The importance and impact of each star is articulated leading the reader to further avenues to explore them. The text selections makes this work Comprehensive, stuffed fulled of the most pivotal Black Feminist manifestos.

[Aaron Cohen]

Read about 1/2 of this for my class on Black feminism. A solid introduction, but it left out some of my favorite literary-theoretical pieces we read in class, namely "A Race for Theory" and "Towards a Black Feminist Criticism."

[Zeineb]

not for the faint of heart.

[Cass Yarborough]

Read through most of what I wanted to read through this anthology.

I need to buy this for my bookshelf.

[Brittany Marshall]

BLACK FEMINIST BIBLE. i’m always reading and rereading this book! not only is it my black feminist bible, but it’s my life bible ~

[Livi Sonne]

Definitely recommend having this book. You don’t need to read in order. Essays are inspirational and also infuriating. I would love to see another volume written from 1985 onward.

[Elizabeth]

Perfection.

[Refapa]

The book is very awesome. I really liked it.

[Mills College Library]

305.48896 W924 1995

[Samuel Hall]

A must have!!!

[Ashley]

Definetely a definitive piece.

[Erica]

I read this book as a college student in a feminist theory class taught by Beverly Guy-Sheftall. It's the book that first taught me that black women have a long and rich history of feminism.

[Charlie Rose]

Good who's who of Black feminist history.

[Amy]

Read excerpts for 20th Century Black Feminist Thought and Practice in the US, Fall 2013.