Contains ten essays in the development of black feminism. This book reflects the literary, social, and political critiques that mark this form of feminist and antiracist thought as unique and transformative.

This volume brings together ten key essays in the development of black feminism. The selections reflect the literary, social, and political critiques that mark this form of feminist and antiracist thought as unique and transformative. Addressing key themes within cultural and social theory, such as the intersections of gender, sex, race, class, and ideology, the analysis encourage critical thinking about language, culture, and democracy. Organized into two parts, 'Literary Theory' and 'Social and Political Theory,' this reader explores issues of community, identity, justice, and the marginalization of African American and Caribbean women in literature, society, and political movements.With contributions from male feminists, Marxists, legal scholars and literary, cultural and social theorists, "The Black Feminist Reader" illustrates both the impressive depth and expansive range of contemporary black feminism. Contributors include: Barbara Christian, Toni Morrison, Hortense J. Spillers, Michael Awkward, Sylvia Wynter, bell hooks, Angela Y. Davis, Patricia Hill Collins, KimberleU Crenshaw and Joy James.

Acknowledgements. Editors' Introduction. List of Contributors. Part I: Literary Theory: 1. The Race for Theory: Barbara Christian. 2. "Unspeakable Things Unspoken": The Afro-American Presence in American Literature: Toni Morrison. 3. Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe: An American Grammar Book: Hortense Spillers. 4. A Black Man's Place in Black Feminist Criticism: Michael Awkward. 5. Beyond Miranda's Meanings: Un-silencing the 'Demonic Ground' of 'Caliban's Woman.': Sylvia Wynter. Part II: Social/Political Theory: 6. Black Women: Shaping Feminist Theory: Bell Hooks. 7. Women and Capitalism: Dialectics of Oppression and Liberation: Angela Davis. 8. The Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought: Patricia Hill Collins. 9. Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics: KimberlE Crenshaw. 10. Radicalising Feminism: Joy James. Appendix: Key Feminist Statements. I. Combahee River Collective, A Black Feminist Statement (1972). II. African American Women in Defense of Ourselves (1991). Part III: Open Letter from Assata Shakur (1998): Selected Bibliography. Index.