seen a few ppl tweeting asking for recs on radical texts on race, gender, sexuality, and borders to read over the summer and i wanted to start a thread of some of my fav texts that i’ve read in these categories in case anyone was looking for somewhere to start
disclaimer: i’m obviously not an expert in these fields just a history and women’s studies major whose primary academic interests are sexuality, Blackness, and intersectionality. i’m recommending things based off of what i’ve read for diff classes and what i’ve liked most
also these are in no particular order. some of them will be foundational and canonical texts some might be more dense and/or obscure
also i have digital copies of most (but sadly not all) of these texts and would love to send them to anybody interested!
“metalanguage of race” by evelyn brooks higginbotham: read this for my history & literature tutorial on Black lit, art, & politics this sem. in it, higginbotham develops her concept of race as a metlanguage that affects our definitions of gender & class & every aspect of society
“out of the closets: voices of gay liberation” - edited by karla jay: an anthology published in 1972 filled with manifestos, personal essays, and interviews by queer people across the U.S. in the late 20th century. ppl featured include marsha p johnson and rita mae brown
demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex - kimberlee crenshaw: the pivotal essay in which crenshaw coins the term “intersectionality” to describe the specific forms of discrimination faced by Black woman on the account of racism and sexism. a must read.
mapping the margins - kimberlé crenshaw: the follow up to “demarginalizing the intersection” in which crenshaw expands on and provides greater structure to her definition of “intersectionality” and includes all women of color - not just Black women - in her analysis. also a must
“the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house” - audre lorde: if you ever take a wgs or afam class with me theres a 90% chance i will reference this essay at least once in the semester. too amazing to summarize in 240 characters, just read it - it’s 3 pages long.
angela davis’s autobiography. also a must read. not even gonna go into it, if you don’t know who davis is look her up and read this book. it will change your life
“this bridge called my back: writings by radical women of color” - cherríe moraga and gloria anzaldúa: an anthology full of poems, letters, essays, manifestos by radical feminists of color originally published in 1981. so many incredible texts in this book, hmu for specific recs!
“fun home: a family tragicomic - allison bechdel: the book that inspired the musical of the same name, “fun home” is bechdel’s memoir written as a comic book detailing her journey to self-discovery as a lesbian and her tumultuous relationship with closeted queer father
fun home is one of the absolute best books i have ever read in my life.
in the name of beauty - Tressie McMillan Cottom: an article on beauty and the construction of beauty as a white hetero patriarchal standard created to leave Black women our. changed my views on beauty and what is “beautiful” and what isnt. some good shit.
“brother to brother: words from the heart” - joseph beam: actually read this today for my tutorial and got so worked up talking bout it in class that i cried. a personal essay about Blackness and gayness and being Black and gay and not having a home and radical love in the 80’s
citizen - claudia rankine: im not a big poetry person but rankine’s book-length poem doesn’t read like traditional poetry. rankine incorporates personal narrative & conceptions of race & gender (Black womanhood specifically) into her prose. beautifully written and very relatable
You can follow @annie_areu_okay.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: