Unapologetic

A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements

By: Charlene Carruthers

Narrated by: Charlene Carruthers

This 21st century activist's guide to upending mainstream ideas about race, class, and gender carves out a path to collective liberation.

Drawing on Black intellectual and grassroots organizing traditions, including the Haitian Revolution, the US civil rights movement, and LGBTQ rights and feminist movements, Unapologetic challenges all of us engaged in the social justice struggle to make the movement for Black liberation more radical, more queer, and more feminist. This audiobook provides a vision for how social justice movements can become sharper and more effective through principled struggle, healing justice, and leadership development. It also offers a flexible model of what deeply effective organizing can be, anchored in the Chicago model of activism, which features long-term commitment, cultural sensitivity, creative strategizing, and multiple cross-group alliances. And Unapologetic provides a clear framework for activists committed to building transformative power, encouraging young people to see themselves as visionaries and leaders.

©2018 Charlene Carruthers (P)2018 Charlene Carruthers

Critic reviews

“This handbook for the revolution is a rousing call for collective liberation.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Timely and important, Carruthers’ book is a strong testament to the resilience of the radical black liberation movement as well as an impassioned appeal to continue the fight for social justice in a political environment characterized by increasing hostility to equality and difference. Powerful, potent reading.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Charlene Carruthers carries the burden, the beauty, the wisdom of four hundred years of Black struggle. But she also brings a critical perspective and a creative vision, rooted in her extensive experience as an organizer and organic intellectual and in her fierce and fearless commitment to truth. This is an inspiring, powerful, but difficult book, because she confronts our movements, our people, our closeted silences, toxic masculinity, patriarchal violence, romantic and selective historical memory, and our future head-on, through a radical Black queer feminist lens. Welcome to the Black radical tradition.” (Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination)

Wonderfully defined framework for activism

Carruthers shares her experience in activism and explains the necessary components as well as the pitfalls of a healthy, sustainable movement.

I learned a lot

Carruthers has proffered a front-line report of radical movement work from the black, queer, and feminist lens. This book serves in some part as a "movement memoir" and as a statement of belief. The author has spent considerable time (though in no way comprehensive) on the historical events and activities that shape the political and ideological landscape we have today. I have gained some insight into the perils of centric politics and the call for prison abolishment. I just recently learned of the move to stop the cash bail system and heartily support it. This book brought up several points that have spurred me to do more digging and research of my own to make informed voting and activism decisions as a black lesbian feminist and Chicagoan . In short, many thanks to Carruthers for this book!

Essential listening for every progressive activist

This book is a powerful manifesto for intersectionality in activism and organizing, told by a frontline soldier in struggles for human equality. It also demonstrates the importance of short-term tactics and long-term strategies working in concert with boundless vision to achieve this equality. And the author reads her work perfectly. This audiobook has my unqualified recommendation.

Great introduction to movement building!

This is a great intro to movement work with context, examples and historical references. Thank you for writing "Unapologetic".

Amazing

This is an amazing book, that’s easy to listen to and very relatable. I meant so much and can’t wait to share with my family.

Informative & full of facts!

This book was very detailed and filled with facts.

I liked how the author included so much information and packed it in with her own personal experiences and movements that was started to amplify the voices of the oppressed.

I recommend this book to everyone. It doesn’t go against any certain sex, movements, race, etc. Instead the book speaks to everyone.

Hell yes!!

Loved this book. I learned so much, felt validated, and was reminded of my power as a queer black woman.

you should read this

i recommend to all commumity-minded peeps. this was affirming in so many ways and i learned so much.

A Divine Word!

I am inspired to reconnect and find my place in movement work that leads to collective liberation.

This book is a gift, and now part of my personal canon.

Highlights topics that are not recognized!

Carruthers highlights topics that are definitely overlooked within many communities, subjects and conversations within school and the workplace. Her honesty and pride as a Black Queer Feminist is shown 100%. Dropping names of women and men who were hurt and unfortunately killed within the past decades shows we have grown yet are still facing unfortunate circumstances as Black people. Her knowledge and growth allows us to connect to her as she opens up about moments in her life where she didn't know where her next move would be yet still took a leap of faith. Straight up honest, historical, radical and trustworthy! Thank you!