ShadowBoxing: Representations of Black Feminist Politics by Joy James

From the Publisher

Shadowboxing is an explosive analysis of the history and practice of black feminisms. Joy James charts new territory by synthesizing theories of social movements with cultural and identity politics. She brings into the spotlight images of black female agency and intellectualism in radical and anti-radical political contexts, challenging us to rethink our understanding of the changing African presence in American culture. From a comparative look at Ida B. Wells, Ella Baker, Angela Davis, and Assata Shakur to analyses of the black woman in white cinema and the black man in feminist coalitions, she focuses attention on the invisible or the forgotten. James convincingly demonstrates how images of powerful women are either consigned to oblivion or transformed into icons robbed of intellectual power. Shadowboxing honors and analyzes the work of black activists and intellectuals and redefines the sharp divide between intellectual work and political movements.

Washington Post Book World - Mark Anthony Neal

As in her previous book, Transcending the Talented Tenth: Black Leaders and American Intellectuals, an insightful and explosive critique of patriarchy in the black intellectual tradition, Joy James brings a refreshing passion to the new work.

Ebony

A provocative look at the dynamics of race, gender, and radicalism.

Mark Anthony Neal

With the publication of Shadowboxing...Joy James is poised to become a major figure among contemporary black intellectuals. —Washington Post Book World

Robin D. G. Kelley

Remarkable...James reveals a radical tradition that could free us all.

Library Journal

Using many of the same historical figures found in Transcending the Talented Tenth (LJ 11/1/96), James (ethnic studies, Univ. of Colorado at Boulder) rejects the liberalism of conventional black feminism for a radical agenda, which, in the tradition of black feminists Ella Baker and Ida B. Wells, targets capitalism and the state as perpetuators of race, class, and gender oppression. Their legacy of radicalism and activism is juxtaposed to the black feminist praxis and thought of Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, and Elaine Brown. This book successfully demonstrates that black feminism is authentically rooted in the black community. Especially enlightening is James's discussion on "distinctions between black men championing black females as patriarchal protectors and black men championing feminism to challenge sexism." An interdisciplinary and well-analyzed representation of radical black women fighting for rights and visibility. Recommended for women's studies, African American studies, or political collections.--Sherri Barnes, Long Island Univ. Lib., Brooklyn Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Drawing upon political theory, history, cultural studies, and her own life, James (political theory, Brown University) describes the evolution of black feminist politics and analyzes the work of black activists and intellectuals such as Ida B. Wells, Ella Baker, and Assata Shakur. She demonstrates how images of powerful women are trivialized or consigned to oblivion. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

What People Are Saying

Barbara Christian
Joy James's new book demonstrates how seeing the world's major issues from a black feminist perspective yields new ways of knowing, not only for the academic world but for those of us who are still on the ground. If you want progressive change that can guide you to new ways of thinking/acting, that is Shadowboxing.

Sonia Sanchez
This is one of the fundamental intellectual books of our time. A book that is to be read, reread not only for the 'herstory' but for what the book becomes: an historical document that informs, questions, redefines our thinking about issues too serious to be trivialized in non-visionary language. An extraordinary book.

Robin D. G. Kelley
As Marx tells us, to be radical is to go to the roots. As Joy James's remarkable book shows us, to find true revolutionaries we must enter the shadows, that difficult semi-visible place where radical, antiracist feminists fight multiple battles at once. Shrouded in reactionary racial, gender, and sexual representations, these radical black women face attacks from all sides--from the racial state to their self-proclaimed allies. James's courageous jousting, however, rips these representations to shreds and reveals a radical tradition that could free us all.
—Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Yo' Mama's DisFunktional!: Fighting the Culture Wars in Urban America

Michael Eric Dyson
Professor James is indeed a joy to behold! With this book, she rightfully takes her place as one of our nation's most brilliant social critics and feminist theorists." --Michael Eric Dyson

Product Details

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Table of Contents