Organize, Fight, Win: Black Communist Women's Political Writing

by Charisse Burden-Stelly (Editor), Jodi Dean (Editor)

The first collection of the writing of Black communist women.

Black Communist women throughout the early to mid-twentieth century fought for and led mass campaigns in the service of building collective power in the fight for liberation. Through concrete materialist analysis of the conditions of Black workers, these women argued that racial and economic equality can only be achieved by overthrowing capitalism.

The first collection of its kind, Organize, Fight, Win brings together three decades of Black Communist women’s political writings. In doing so, it highlights the link between Communism and Black liberation. Likewise, it makes clear how Black women fundamentally shaped, and were shaped by, Communist praxis in the twentieth century.

Organize, Fight, Win includes writings from card-carrying Communists like Dorothy Burnham, Williana Burroughs, Grace P. Campbell, Alice Childress, Marvel Cooke, Esther Cooper Jackson, Thelma Dale Perkins, Vicki Garvin, Yvonne Gregory, Claudia Jones, Maude White Katz, and Louise Thompson Patterson, and writings by those who organized alongside the Communist Party, like Ella Baker, Charlotta Bass, Thyra Edwards, Lorraine Hansberry, and Dorothy Hunton.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Feminism, History, Theory, Race, Anthologies

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Lucas Hamera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great history of communist organizing in the mid-20th century, centering the voice of black women in and adjacent to the CPUSA. The chronological arrangement of these primary sources allows the reader to see the progress of the struggle for equal rights during this time period. For instance, there were significant implications to the evolution of the authors' political consciousness from the pre-war to the post-war (Reconversion) period. Although I would've liked to see deeper commentary from the editors, the selection is well curated, and I particularly liked the writings from Claudia Jones as well as the chapters on trade union organizing of domestic workers.

[jac · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book gives a lot of historical insight into the nuts and bolts of organizing in the mid 20th century from powerful organizers. instructive, inspirational and always materialist 💥

[Charles Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a gift to us all. As I read it and reflect on the lives of the Black women, I am struct that it is a living document of connection. It is a book on how the everyday radicalism of Black women has been passed down throw each generation of their existence in the united states and for that matter across the entirety of the world.

Consider that Williana Burroughs, the second Communist ancestor profiled, was the mother of Charles Burroughs. Charles Burroughs was the partner of Dr. Margaret Burroughs. Any Black person who’s lived in Chicago over the last 50 years has profoundly benefited from the work of Margaret Burroughs, who co-founded the DuSable Museum with her partner. Mariame Kaba credits Dr. Burroughs as a mentor and inspiration.

These are the stories and sketches of a new world vision unfolding.

[Lauren Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is phenomenal. I vaguely remember learning about communism in elementary school, middle school and high school. My takeaway way that communism was evil and capitalism was the holy grail (yet here we are in late stage capitalism). I consider this a must read for folks that enjoy Angela Davis, Claudia Jones or any works of the womanist movement (specifically fourth wave womanism).

The more things change, the more they stay the same. North America’s (USA) problem with communism is that it has the chance to radicalize workers, BIPOC (specifically BIPOC of working class and marginalized genders), poor folk and folks internationally. Point blank.

[Amal Omer · Rating 4 out of 5]

read w my friend in our lil 2 person book group! so informative —- there was a lot in here i was surprised to have no memory learning about (but also maybe not that surprised?). black women for real led the way w the communist + labor movements of the early/mid 20th century helllll yeah <3

the mccarthy era stuff the book ended on was eerily similar to today (ppl getting fired or incarcerated for their thoughts) ://

[Brittany]

This was a really accessible nonfictional text full of short essays, speeches, & letters from Black femme communist activists, thinkers, & organizers.

I love a collection of essays because I know I can check out after each chapter & come back to it when my brain is ready to process & digest more.

I highly recommend this <3

[Sealion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book I read all year. So many fascinating insights on organizing labor in the south, fighting white supremacy/fascism —recognizing how vastly similar yet different conditions were for organizing Communists in the 1920s-60s. All organizers must read!

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illuminating and inspiring. I really appreciated the collection. A little depressing too because, in some instances, it feels like such little progress has been made in the past 70-80 years and some of the problems still persist.

[danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5!

[Comrade Zupa Ogórkowa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a memorable book for me, maybe more appropriate for people earlier in their journey