Hi friends, I’m back with another quick post about some recently published work, plus a few movie, music, and book suggestions.
It’s Women’s History Month and it’s March—the month after Black History Month. So let’s just call it even and call it Black Women’s History Month. To be honest, I never really thought I would be a gender and politics scholar of any particular sort. But as I’ve taken up serious study of the Black Lives Matter Movement, it has required me to be an expert on Black feminism, which has of course made a major impact on my personal politics. In the following pieces, I examine Black women’s contributions to the movement.
I’ve found my podcast voice on an episode of the UCI Podcast where I discuss Black women in the Black Lives Matter movement. Take a listen here:
I talk about some of the grassroots organizers and cases that I’m focusing on in my work— particularly women that mobilize communities around police violence, as well as those who are brutalized by police but whose stories fly under the radar nationally.
Also, over at the Review of Politics, I’m in a forum on Deva Woodly’s fabulous book Reckoning: Black Lives Matter and the Democratic Necessity of Social Movements. This is a write up of comments I gave at APSA 2022 in Montreal, where I laud the book’s emphasis on Black feminism and the attention to Black political movement making. I also consider the uses of pragmatism in Black politics and in the BLM movement.
I hope you all celebrate the wonderful women in your lives this months and contribute to ongoing feminist fights for justice, freedom, and peace.
movies
I’ve been on an Oscars movie kick for the past couple months and I have to recommend Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest. Both films are carried by the fantastic Sandra Huller.
Zone of Interest is a gut-wrenching look at the banality of evil and forces audiences to see the ongoing forces of fascism in our every day lives. Anatomy of a Fall is a complex tale of love, sacrifice, and unpacking the complicated truth.
Both of these movies demand a sharp look at humanity and one’s own selfishness— and are excellent reminders of the power of well done films.
Anyway, see these movies and let me know what you think! Also, anyone else on letterboxd? I’m struggling to have “four favorites” that I’m totally proud of.
music
Yeah Glo! is an immediate classic, a hype song, a pep talk, and a sermon. Get into it.
On the other hand, Ariana Grande’s new breakup album eternal sunshine is a sonic and vocal masterpiece, deeply emotional and referential to the excellent film.
books
My beautiful friend Jenn M. Jackson has published their debut book Black Women Taught Us. It’s an in depth look at key figures in Black feminism and the lessons they teach us all. Order here.
Until next time!