Womanist AIDS Activism in the United States

Harris and Mushtaq are interested in one question: what drives Black women to get involved in AIDS activism? To explore this, they have used womanist theory as a grounding framework. Unlike feminism—which may overlook Black women's experiences with race; intersectionality—which could be limiting in being chiefly useful for analysis; and Black feminism—which may focus on Black womanhood only, womanist theory allows the authors to explore the critical implications of subjects' experience for social activism, especially as shown by Black women who are involved in AIDS work. This book seeks to explain Black women's activism in a multidimensional context. The authors find that Black women's self-described experiences go against the grain of what larger bodies of work have claimed about Black-led social movements… Here, the authors focus on spirituality rather than organized religion as a factor that helps drive activism. Community and agency, rather than particular monolithic leaders, have provided the motive voice spurring these women's action. This book is a gem for those seeking links between activism, public health, and social justice theory. Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals.

* Choice Reviews *

The unapologetic application of womanism to improve the health of Black communities is culturally congruent with the spiritual, ancestral, emotional, and physical essence of Black peoples. This book expertly applies womanism to AIDS activism, advocacy, and sociopolitical involvement, particularly emphasizing the role of Black women as activists in the U.S. In doing so, the authors move beyond the personal as political towards the personal as survival, for all people. Indeed, 'Those most structurally marginalized within Black communities – for example, gay and bisexual men, intravenous (IV) drug users, and women (both trans and cisgender) – are disproportionately affected by AIDS.' The authors use the stories of women activists to demonstrate the epistemological and applied underpinnings of womanism. Womanism is the way to heal our communities and this book reframes community-based approaches and action in a way that truly heals.

-- Jameta Barlow, The George Washington Univer