The story of the black freedom struggle in America has been overwhelmingly male-centric, starring leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Huey Newton. With few exceptions, black women have been perceived as supporting actresses; as behind-the-scenes or peripheral activists, or rank and file party members. But what about Vicki Garvin, a Brooklyn-born activist who became a leader of the National Negro Labor Council and guide to Malcolm X on his travels through Africa? What about Shirley Chisholm, the first black Congresswoman? From Rosa Parks and Esther Cooper Jackson, to Shirley Graham DuBois and Assata Shakur, a host of women demonstrated a lifelong commitment to radical change, embracing multiple roles to sustain the movement, founding numerous groups and mentoring younger activists. Helping to create the groundwork and continuity for the movement by operating as local organizers, international mobilizers, and charismatic leaders, the stories of the women profiled in Want to Start a Revolution? help shatter the pervasive and imbalanced image of women on the sidelines of the black freedom struggle. Contributors: Margo Natalie Crawford, Prudence Cumberbatch, Johanna Fernandez, Diane C. Fujino, Dayo F. Gore, Joshua Guild, Gerald Horne, Ericka Huggins, Angela D. LeBlanc-Ernest, Joy James, Erik McDuffie, Premilla Nadasen, Sherie M. Randolph, James Smethurst, Margaret Stevens, and Jeanne Theoharis.
Acknowledgments Introduction Dayo F. Gore, Jeanne Theoharis, and Komozi Woodard 1 "No Small Amount of Change Could Do" Erik S. McDuffie 2 What "the Cause" Needs Is a "Brainy and Energetic Woman" Prudence Cumberbatch 3 From Communist Politics to Black Power Dayo F. Gore 4 Shirley Graham Du Bois Gerald Horne and Margaret Stevens 5 "A Life History of Being Rebellious" Jeanne Theoharis 6 Framing the Panther Joy Jamesvi Contents 7 Revolutionary Women, Revolutionary Education Ericka Huggins and Angela D. LeBlanc-Ernest 8 Must Revolution Be a Family Affair? Margo Natalie Crawford 9 Retraining the Heartworks James Smethurst 10 "Women's Liberation or . . . Black Liberation, You're Fighting the Same Enemies" Sherie M. Randolph 11 To Make That Someday Come Joshua Guild 12 Denise Oliver and the Young Lords Party Johanna Fernandez 13 Grassroots Leadership and Afro-Asian Solidarities Diane C. Fujino 14 "We Do Whatever Becomes Necessary" Premilla Nadasen About the Contributors Index
