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Women, Race and Class


Synopsis


Part of the Blackwell's Five Foot Bookshelf.
70 books, one life-changing collection.

View the Five Foot Bookshelf collection.

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Ranging from the age of slavery to contemporary injustices, this groundbreaking history of race, gender and class inequality by the radical political activist Angela Davis offers an alternative view of female struggles for liberation.

Tracing the intertwined histories of the abolitionist and women's suffrage movements, Davis examines the racism and class prejudice inherent in so much of white feminism, and in doing so brings to light new pioneering heroines, from field slaves to mill workers, who fought back and refused to accept the lives into which they were born.

'The power of her historical insights and the sweetness of her dream cannot be denied' The New York Times

Angela Y. Davis

Summary

Chapter 1: Intersectionality and the Experience of Women

* Summary: Introduces the concept of intersectionality and its significance in understanding the experiences of women.
* Example: A Black woman may face multiple forms of discrimination based on her race, gender, and social class.

Chapter 2: Women and the Economy

* Summary: Examines the economic disparities between men and women and how these inequalities are exacerbated for women of color.
* Example: Women of color earn significantly less than White men in the United States, despite having similar education and experience.

Chapter 3: Women and the Law

* Summary: Explores the role of law in shaping the experiences of women, particularly in areas such as reproductive rights, employment discrimination, and domestic violence.
* Example: The Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in the United States, but access to this procedure remains limited for many women who face financial, logistical, or ideological barriers.

Chapter 4: Women and Education

* Summary: Discusses the challenges and opportunities that women face in education, from access to quality education to the gender gap in certain fields of study.
* Example: Girls in developing countries are more likely to be denied access to education than boys, particularly at the secondary and tertiary levels.

Chapter 5: Women and Healthcare

* Summary: Examines the healthcare disparities that women experience, including access to reproductive healthcare, maternal health, and mental health services.
* Example: Women of color are more likely to experience pregnancy-related complications and deaths than White women due to socioeconomic factors and systemic racism in healthcare settings.

Chapter 6: Women and Violence

* Summary: Explores the prevalence of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
* Example: Intimate partner violence is a leading cause of injury and death for women in the United States, and women of color are more likely to be victimized than White women.

Chapter 7: Women and Representation

* Summary: Examines the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence, both in the public and private sectors.
* Example: Women hold only about 24% of seats in the United States Congress, despite making up over half of the population.

Chapter 8: Women and Social Movements

* Summary: Discusses the role of women in social movements throughout history and how intersectionality has influenced the formation and agenda of these movements.
* Example: The feminist movement has been shaped by the experiences of women of color who have challenged both sexism and racism.

Chapter 9: Reimagining a Just World for Women

* Summary: Offers a vision for a more just and equitable world for women and explores the strategies and policies needed to achieve it.
* Example: Universal healthcare, affordable childcare, and equal pay for equal work are some of the policies that would improve the lives of women and their families.