On Cuddling

This thought-provoking work, On Cuddling, explores the intersections of intimacy, racial violence, and capitalism through essays and poetry.

What can a cuddle reveal about deeper issues such as intimacy, violence, and racism? On Cuddling delves into this complex interplay, exploring the terrifying embrace of a slave ship's hold alongside the troubling implications of 'cuddly' toys that perpetuate racial stereotypes. This work uniquely blends essay and poetry, offering a thought-provoking examination of how racial violence is often enacted through seemingly innocent acts of intimacy.

Informed by Black feminist and queer poetics, Phanuel Antwi shines a light on the suffering experienced by Black individuals due to state violence and the pervasive influence of racial capitalism. As movements advocating for Black liberation gain momentum, it becomes crucial to reassess our understanding of how these systems of oppression intertwine with our personal relationships. On Cuddling encourages readers to reconsider cuddling as an act that, while often perceived as gentle, can also serve as a tense transfer point of power.

Through the use of archival documents and a variety of writing styles, the book reveals that the state's racial violence and economic exploitation have always been tied to the (mis)management of intimacies. Antwi urges us to confront these realities with a spirit of resistance and solidarity, reminding us that understanding these dynamics is essential for fostering genuine connections in a world rife with inequality.