Africana Womanism: Reclaiming Ourselves

by Clenora Hudson (Weems)

First published in 1993, this is a new edition of the classic text in which Clenora Hudson-Weems sets out a paradigm for women of African descent. Examining the status, struggles and experiences of the Africana woman forced into exile in Europe, Latin America, the United States or at Home in Africa, the theory outlines the experience of Africana women as unique and separate from that of some other women of color, and, of course, from white women. Differentiating itself from the problematic theories of Western feminisms, Africana Womanism allows an establishment of cultural identity and relationship directly to ancestry and land. This new edition includes five new chapters as well as an evolution of the classic Africana womanist paradigm, to that of Africana-Melanated Womanism. It shows how race, class and gender must be prioritized in the fight against every day racial dominance. Africana Womanism: Reclaiming Ourselves offers a new term and paradigm for women of African descent. A family-centered concept, prioritizing race, class and gender, it offers eighteen features of the Africana womanist (self-namer, self-definer, family-centered, genuine in sisterhood, strong, in concert with male in the liberation struggle, whole, authentic, flexible role player, respected, recognized, spiritual, male compatible, respectful of elders, adaptable, ambitious, mothering, nurturing), applying them to characters in novels by Hurston, Bâ, Marshall, Morrison and McMillan. It evolves from Africana Womanism to Africana-Melanated Womanism. This is an important work and essential reading for researchers and students in women and gender studies, Africana studies, African-American studies, literary studies and cultural studies, particularly with the emergence of family centrality (community and collective engagement), the very cornerstone of Africana Womanism since its inception.

Genres: Nonfiction

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[fausto · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a gay mexican man I find this book very strange. The "africana womanism" is certanly not a branch of feminism, in fact, is in some way anti-feminist. Hudson-Weems see racism as the main problem for black women's lives, sexism is not a "secondary" but a tertiary theme, apparently she view black men as particularly non-sexist, or, their sexist acts as not a big deal.
I really enjoy the afrocentric emphasis of the theory, and is very well-written (there are my two stars)
The most shocking part of the book is it's overwhelming heterosexism, black lesbians and gay men seem to not exist at all, the book also sees black women primarly as mothers and male's companions, in fact, male problems are one of the basis of the theory, is kinda: men's suffering, men's problems, Oh, poor men!

I really hate it's view of black women as incomplete beings (without a black man in her side) sorry but, THIS IS HETEROSEXIST AS HELL!

In mexican culture women also are view primary as mothers (incarnated in La Virgen de Guadalupe) motherhood is thought as sacrificed, obedient... in summary, the most visible face of mexican/latino heteropathiarchy. I can't speak for women, but certanly, Hudson-Weem's "africana womanism" is not good for gays of color.

[Nicholas Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an honor to study under Dr. Clenora Hudson-Weems while reading her literature. Her expertise on interconnectedness of race, gender, sexuality, and economic class provided an all encompassing and deep dive into Africana Womanism. It is a must read for all and a truly enlightening experience along the way.

[McKinley O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the 5th Edition- Africana-Melanated Womanism. Very thankful for Hudson-Weems message about how African women across the world are looking for a place not just for their own success but for the success of their entire community. Values that exist outside of a European lens. Values I see emulated in almost every African I know.

We need to get closer to our values since many of the institutions Africans live in don't have our best interest at heart. This book is incredibly powerful especially for BIPOC people who support women and feminism ideation. Africana Womanism is not Feminism or Black Feminism. It is in "direct contravention" to feminism and all of its form. And to me that is a great thing.

[Arielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2016 Reading Challenge - A book with a blue cover

This book in an important foundational work on Africana womanism. However, it does come across a bit dated (understandably since it was published nearly 25 years ago). It doesn't quite bridge the aspects of intersectionality and strictly confines ideas of identity and sexuality. If this is an area of interest I recommend the book as part of a larger canon.