Charlene Carruthers

Carruthers's stated purpose for writing this book is to provide a starting point for constructing a working model for organizing. Her book makes a good start toward that end. This is not a how-to text. Rather, Carruthers shares her own experiences as an activist for Black liberation and her perspective as a Black radical, feminist, queer, anti-capitalist. She carefully examines herself and the Black liberation movement to extract relevant lessons for radicals fighting the oppression of show more marginalized people. Her writing is clear and straightforward. She does not hesitate to criticize herself and the movement when necessary, but that criticism comes out of a deep commitment to learn and better serve the cause of Black liberation. Of course, she is generous in her outrage against the oppressive systems that dominate our society. But her writing is not that of a raging lunatic. She writes with intelligence and thinks deeply about the Black liberation movement. This is a book that will both challenge and inspire its readers. show less

Unapologetic by Charlene A Carruthers is a book that serves several distinct purposes, not all of them intentional. A valuable read for anyone concerned with creating an equitable world for everyone.

Perhaps first and foremost this is a manual for activists. While Carruthers' uses a black, queer, and feminist lens the particulars of how a successful and effective activist organization functions is valid for many other types of organizations. That said, the distinct perspective she brings show more will, ideally, influence not just the functioning but also the values of diverse organizations.

This is also a wonderful memoir-type of read, though that is not its main purpose. Carruthers is an intelligent and dynamic person who readily admits errors and missteps. She knows by doing so both she and those around her will be better. By doing so in this book, she broadens the number of people "around her" and thus helps all of us to be better.

Any questions I had while reading were ones based on my ignorance of certain ideas. They were not intended to be covered in this book so it certainly doesn't count against it. In fact, it is a positive about the book that it generated substantive questions in my mind that I can now know to go find answers for. Any book that generates questions AND the desire to find the answers is a powerful addition to my life.

I would definitely recommend this to both activists and those wondering whether to be (or how to be) activists. The lessons included not only pertain to organizational and group dynamics but will also serve to enrich your personal life as well.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via LibraryThing. show less

Author Carruthers questions why should a person have to apologize for the color of their skin, what social class they belong to, or their sexual orientation. She presents three commitments to change; building strong leaders, adopting a healing justice as a core organizing value and practice, and combating liberalism with a principled struggle. What is nice about the book is the sections on five questions and the Chicago model for identifying opportunities for activism. While the primary show more focus is Black relevance and engagement, the material provides a path for any disenfranchised group. Notes and an index are provided. show less

The author "confronts our movements, our people, our closeted silences, toxic masculinity, partiarchal violence, romantic and selective historical memory, and our future head-on through a radical Black queer feminist lens." Robin D. G. Kelley on book jacket