Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought edited by Notisha Massaquoi and Njoki Nathani Wane ISBN no. 978-0-9782233-4-2 / 328 pgs. / $29.95 ORDER | CONTENTS | OVERVIEW | AUTHOR BIOS | REVIEW

Overview:

Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought is a collection of articles by Black Canadian feminists centralizing the ways in which Black femininity and Black women’s experiences are integral to understanding political and social frameworks in Canada. What does Black feminist thought mean to Black Canadian feminists in the Diaspora? What does it means to have a feminist practice which speaks to Black women in Canada? In exploring this question, this anthology collects new ideas and thoughts on the place of Black women’s politics in Canada, combining the work of new/upcoming and established names in Black Canadian feminist studies.

There are very few collections within Canada that have been produced with a Black Canadian feminist agenda in mind. This book stands out as a landmark contribution to feminist scholarship in general and the new and emerging area of Canadian Black feminist thought specifically. More broadly, this anthology is a celebration of Black Canadian women’s lives, situating those lives in the Canadian landscape, and giving context and meaning to those lives in Canadian feminist theory and politics. More broadly, this anthology is a celebration of Black Canadian women’s lives, situating those lives in the Canadian landscape, and giving context and meaning to those lives in Canadian feminist theory and politics.

“Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought is a welcome addition to feminist theorizing in this country. The authors argue convincingly and beautifully for a Black feminism that is uniquely Canadian, yet situated in a globalized, transnational world, a feminism that looks to the future while respecting the past. The eloquent introduction and the chapters that follow speak to the challenges and accomplishments of Black women in Canada, and they challenge white women to join the urgent political project of extending feminist epistemologies and strategies. The authors of this book do not ask for simple inclusion in the house of feminism, rather they insist on rebuilding that house from the ground up.”
KARI DEHLI, Chair, Dept. of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, OISE/University of Toronto

“Massaquoi and Wane have gathered together a powerful and inspiring collection of writings by Canadian Black feminist scholars, artists and activists. Sustained by the spirits of their foremothers, strengthened by collective memories of slavery, migration and resistance, the courageous women in these pages offer a radical vision of personal empowerment and social transformation.”
JULIA SUDBURY, Professor of Ethnic Studies, Mills College

“It is indeed empowering to read the new critical imaginings of Canadian Black Feminist scholar/activists as they theorize the fractured and shifting spaces of identity, community, and nation in a globalized post-modern world. This collection provides a powerful set of essays that inscribe new discursive pathways for Black women’s articulations of subjectivity, spirituality, and engaged political praxis against the myriad forms of oppression they confront. Beautifully written and intellectually exciting, this work is inspirational for all women of colour who seek to reclaim their narratives and construct their own foundations for feminist theorizing and praxis from an indigenous, anti-colonial standpoint. This is a timely and vital contribution to anti-racist feminist discourse from a uniquely Canadian vantage point.”
JASMIN ZINE, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Wilfrid Laurier University

“This thoughtful, provocative, and rejuvenating collection of essays holds the promise of profound possibilities for transformation at the personal, social, political and global levels by challenging readers to acknowledge the heterogeneity of Black women’s thinking, their realities, wisdom, creativity, resilience, resistance, strength and spirituality. The anthology’s spirit reflects the contributors’ commitment to transformational education, empowerment, spirit healing, and self-agency. This book is a must read for people looking for alternate epistemologies and methodologies for creating spaces for personal and political engagement and resistance.”
SABRA DESAI, Social Service Worker Program, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

“Editor-writers Njoki Nathani Wane and Notisha Massaquoi have broken new ground by compiling a wide-ranging collection of articles that simultaneously speaks to the breadth and commonality of our experiences. This anthology is long overdue and brings a fresh and welcome perspective to the development of Black Canadian feminist thought.” SANDY THOMAS, Lawyer and Founding President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (cabl)