On Intellectual Activism

"On Intellectual Activism is Collins' attempt to frame her more-than-20-year intervention in the critical issues of gender, race and sexuality for an audience not likely to sit in on her--or anyone else's--introduction to gender studies class... Her book is a cogent reminder of the stakes of engagement." Ms. Magazine , Fall 2012 "On Intellectual Activism...presents readers with an opportunity to marvel at the incredible internal coherence of [Collins's] life's work. The sociology of Collins's imagining is quite appealing. Despite the sorrow reflected and generated by many of the topics under consideration, her analyses are enormously enjoyable to read because she is so cogent and she notices so much. Like a present-day sage, she seems able to interpret any situation - from the family rhetoric that supported Barack Obama's presidential election to the selection of housewares available at T. J. Maxx - with acuity... Her longstanding and gorgeously articulated contempt for the problematic standards that govern success in academia is on proud display in these writings that span decades."--Gender and Society