Joy James

Joy James, "the editor teaches political theory in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she is also Director of the Center for Studies of Ethnicity and Race in America (CSERA)"--Cover. "For three decades, Angela Y. Davis has written on feminism, anti-racism, political philosophy, and liberation theory. Her analyses of culture, gender, capital and race have profoundly influenced political and social thought, and contemporary struggles. This volume presents interviews, essays, and excerpts from Davis's most important works including her memoir. In four parts -- Prisons, repression, and resistance; Marxism, anti-racism, and feminism; aesthetics and culture; and interviews -- Davis examines progressive politics and intellectualism The extensive introduction by Joy James both provides biographical background and contextualizes the intellectual development of Davis as one of the leading thinkers of our time. The Angela Y. Davis Reader is essential reading for anyone concerned about social justice, Marxism, and critical race and feminist theory."--Provided by publisher.

Written as a challenge to discriminatory hiring, promotion, and tenure practices, Spirit, Space and Survival confronts racist and sexist practices in academia. Presenting essays by African American women in administration, psychology, political science, American studies, education, women's studies, literature, artist-in-residence programs, and African American studies, this collection challenges academic hierarchies, and places community as central in learning. Divided into three sections, Spirit, Space and Survival examines the dilemmas and contributions of African American women struggling with Eurocentric disciplines, students, faculty, and administrators in predominantly white institutions. The first section focuses on spiritual and intellectual sources and inspirations, covering such topics as the expanding tradition of African American women artists, and the relationships between African-centered philosophy, critical thinking, and women's political activism. The second section critiques and disturbs the rigidity of certain academic disciplines, ranging over issues such as the misrepresentation of African American women in U.S. literature and the perpetuation of Euro-American mythology and mystification in academia. The final section addresses past and present conditions and future needs of African American women in academia. Weaving together spiritual and intellectual aspirations of African American women as a remedy to hostile and indifferent educational environments, this groundbreaking collection offers alternative approaches to learning, teaching, and organization.

"Shadowboxing presents an explosive analysis of the history and practice of black feminisms, drawing upon political theory, history, and cultural studies in a sweeping interdisciplinary work. Joy James charts new territory by synthesizing theories of social movements with cultural and identity politics. She brings into the spotlight images of black female agency and intellectualism in radical and anti-radical political contexts, challenging us to rethink our understanding of the changing African presence in American culture."--BOOK JACKET.

"Some seventy percent of the nearly 2 million people incarcerated in U.S. prisons, jails, and immigration detention centers are "people of color," and the U.S. has the highest imprisonment and execution rates in the developed world. Statistics like these make an analysis of incarceration especially urgent and timely. States of Confinement uncovers the political, social, and economic biases hardwired into our policing and punishment systems. Using a broad multicultural approach, the distinguished authors of this collection incorporate diversity both through their individual backgrounds and the variety of topics they discuss. These twenty-six essays will appeal equally to students and educators, as well as anyone concerned about the fate of democracy in this era of punishment in which economic and racial bias are deeply entrenched in policing and imprisonment."--BOOK JACKET.