Feminism in Coalition

“Too often, even today, women of colors’ work is used to illustrate, rather than to theorize. Liza Taylor avoids this trap; she honors and theorizes with women of colors’ theories. Urgently calling for coalitional politics and providing a rarely considered perspective on US women of color texts, theories, and practices, Taylor offers a refreshing, much needed analysis that can open up identity politics. This book will invite a broad audience of feminist scholars in a range of fields.” - AnaLouise Keating, author of The Anzaldúan Theory Handbook

“Liza Taylor convincingly argues that women of color theories of coalition can solve what seems to be an unsolvable crisis in poststructuralist approaches to contemporary political praxis. By analyzing the concept of coalition across their work, Taylor helps us understand anew the work of theorists such as Audre Lorde, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Gloria Anzaldúa, María Lugones, and others. A book of the highest caliber, Feminism in Coalition is invaluable for thinking about how to build movements across difference.” - Christine Keating, author of Decolonizing Democracy: Transforming the Social Contract in India

"This well-written and clearly organized book challenges the reader to explore effective activism over time with directions for the future. Thus, the book would be ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in sociology, women’s studies, and criminal justice that include contemporary political theory, feminist studies, and intersectional social justice. The 'call to action' structure of the book creates a platform for the facilitator to really engage the student in the option of taking an actual step to make change within the current politically diverse arena. Exercises such as this makes the book unique within this discipline and a must have within the classroom." - Shauntey James, Ethnic and Racial Studies

"Taylor is a feminist political theorist who offers sophisticated arguments about philosophical principles and feminist practices together with an accessible discussion of core texts from women of color. She writes for multidisciplinary feminist readers already familiar with classics such as position papers from the Combahee River Collective and essays by Audre Lorde but does so with sufficient attention to explaining these and other arguments from the rich field of feminist theorizing. Students just becoming aware of this area of study will get a vibrant introduction, and more knowledgeable readers will find this an innovative and helpful approach. . . . Highly recommended. General readers through faculty; professionals." - M. M. Ferree, Choice

"While some see multigroup activism ending in a stalemate of identity politics and inaction, Liza Taylor engages with US Women of Color feminism to examine approaches to diverse coalition-building that have been in play since the 1970s and 1980s, showing that although the work is far from easy or comfortable, those approaches are the defining features of coalitional work that builds alliances across diverse identities. This text explores the foundational theoretical work that US Women of Color coalitional politics has been developing for decades, sharing strategies for a cohesive movement that seeks the liberation of all people." - Julia Anderson, Resources for Gender and Women's Studies

"Overall, reading this work was transformative. I feel as though I am a better activist, scholar, teacher, and feminist, in general, after reading it. I would recommend this book to scholars, activists, and educators in a variety of fields." - Amanda J. Brockman, Contemporary Sociology