Africana Womanism: Reclaiming Ourselves

By Clenora Hudson-Weems

Book Overview

First published in 1993, this is a new edition of the classic text in which Clenora Hudson-Weems sets out a paradigm for women of African descent. Examining the status, struggles and experiences of the Africana woman forced into exile in Europe, Latin America, the United States or at Home in Africa, the theory outlines the experience of Africana women as unique and separate from that of some other women of color, and, of course, from white women. Differentiating itself from the problematic theories of Western feminisms, Africana Womanism allows an establishment of cultural identity and relationship directly to ancestry and land.

This new edition includes five new chapters as well as an evolution of the classic Africana womanist paradigm, to that of Africana-Melanated Womanism. It shows how race, class and gender must be prioritized in the fight against every day racial dominance. Africana Womanism: Reclaiming Ourselves offers a new term and paradigm for women of African descent. A family-centered concept, prioritizing race, class and gender, it offers eighteen features of the Africana womanist (self-namer, self-definer, family-centered, genuine in sisterhood, strong, in concert with male in the liberation struggle, whole, authentic, flexible role player, respected, recognized, spiritual, male compatible, respectful of elders, adaptable, ambitious, mothering, nurturing), applying them to characters in novels by Hurston, B , Marshall, Morrison and McMillan. It evolves from Africana Womanism to Africana-Melanated Womanism.

This is an important work and essential reading for researchers and students in women and gender studies, Africana studies, African-American studies, literary studies and cultural studies, particularly with the emergence of family centrality (community and collective engagement), the very cornerstone of Africana Womanism since its inception.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0367253631
• ISBN13: 9780367253639
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Thought provoking: Outstanding

I also had the PLEASURE of taking both Dr. Weems courses at MIZZOU over 4 years ago and just yesterday, I was re-reading Africana Womanism. This book really opens your eyes to the plight of African-American women in the country. This book WILL challenge your preconceived notions about all things related to African-American women. This is an excellent read...great for a book club or group discussion:-)

Introduced me to world I had not known

I had the pleasure of taking a class on Africana Womanism taught by Clenora Hudson-Weems. I must say that I was very enlightened. Though that was 5 years ago, I still glance at this book every now and then. A very intellignet book written by a very intelligent woman.