Innocent Subjects
Feminism and Whiteness
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Pluto Press
Published:20th Dec '20
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£85.00(9780745337517)
This book explores the racist structures within feminism, highlighting the marginalization of Black feminism and the need for solidarity among all women. Innocent Subjects addresses critical issues in feminist discourse.
In Innocent Subjects, Terese Jonsson delivers a powerful critique of the entrenched racist structures within mainstream feminism. As global white supremacy and patriarchal violence escalate, the need for anti-racist feminist movements has become increasingly urgent. Women of color are leading the charge in these vital struggles, yet the question remains: are white feminists truly supporting them? Jonsson's work sheds light on this critical issue, emphasizing the importance of solidarity across racial lines in the feminist movement.
The book delves into the historical context of feminism over the past four decades, revealing how Black feminism's contributions have often been overlooked. Jonsson argues that narratives surrounding the women's liberation movement have consistently centered white women, thereby marginalizing the voices and experiences of women of color. This historical analysis not only highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women of color within feminist discourse but also calls into question the broader implications of such exclusion for the feminist movement as a whole.
Through a thorough examination of feminist literature and media discussions, Innocent Subjects illustrates how whiteness continues to dominate feminist narratives. Despite a growing awareness of race and intersectionality, many white feminists maintain a narrative that seeks to preserve an 'innocent' stance regarding racism. Jonsson's incisive analysis serves as a crucial reminder of the work still needed to create an inclusive and equitable feminist movement.
'Valuable ... Shows how and why the erasure of race from key accounts of feminism presents a problem for forms of solidarity among women'
-- Vron Ware, author of 'Beyond the Pale: White Women, Racism and History' (Verso, 2015)'Courageously reveals the fault lines of the longstanding gulf between black and white feminism, exposing the power of white privilege in gender politics and how it undermines solidarity within the sisterhood. A must for a new generation of antiracist feminist scholars and activists who truly seek the holy grail of intersectional equality'
-- Heidi Safia Mirza, editor of 'Black British Feminism' (Routledge, 1997)'A searing account of how white feminist innocence is maintained in order to legitimise white women's position at the centre of feminist politics. This book is a must read for anyone interested in questions of feminism and anti-racism'
-- Nadine El-Enany, author of '(B)ordering Britain: Law, Race and Empire' (Manchester University Press, 2020)'Building on the work of black feminists and women of colour, this is a profound mediation on white innocence and its deployment in the service of white feminism to deny racism. It offers a renewed possibility for racial justice and resistance to white patriarchal supremacy'
-- Aileen Moreton-Robinson, RMIT, Melbourne‘A brave and coherent introduction to the relationship between white privilege and feminism’
-- LSE Review of BISBN: 9780745337500
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 262g
240 pages