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Left of Karl Marx: The Political Life of Black Communist Claudia Jones by Carole Boyce Davies
morganpearcy's review against another edition
4.0
This is an important piece of work for those interested in decolonial Marxism. Marx was a white, cishetero man of immense economic privilege. While Marxism is a commonly understood term, the philosophy is unfairly attributed to Marx himself, and Engles.
Claudia Jones is a prime example of the vast quantity of labor that Black, Indigenous, and other melanated humans have done to develop the philosophy commonly understood as Marxism - and to actually ACTION it. Quantifiably much more than any white Eurocentric cishet man ever has. I really appreciated the insights into Claudia’s life. The writing was spot on. The historical storytelling hit all the right notes. This book really made me think about my own approach to the study of Marxism. Highly recommend, if you’re interested in the topic.
Claudia Jones is a prime example of the vast quantity of labor that Black, Indigenous, and other melanated humans have done to develop the philosophy commonly understood as Marxism - and to actually ACTION it. Quantifiably much more than any white Eurocentric cishet man ever has. I really appreciated the insights into Claudia’s life. The writing was spot on. The historical storytelling hit all the right notes. This book really made me think about my own approach to the study of Marxism. Highly recommend, if you’re interested in the topic.
shraddhatimalsina's review
5.0
Amazing description of Claudia Jones's life. However, I think the context is missing in my cases.
hashoun's review
5.0
Claudia Jones is truly such an inspiring person in how her actions directly reflected her politics and she did so seemingly flawlessly, one of the first to recognize some of the major talking points regarding black women, communism, feminism, imperialism, white feminism, etc, but the last brought up in a conversation, sadly, proving her right. for anyone interested in feminism, internationalism, anti-imperialism, african/caribbean diaspora, activism and organizing, communism, or marxist-leninism please read this, it’s something so special and inspiring
soafricane's review
4.0
Second reading. An articulate theoretical and political assessment of the life of Claudia Jones from her involvement in communist leagues to her steady advocacy for black women's rights via her situation as a transnational, pan-African feminist.
She deserved to live longer than she did but her work remains even longer with us to guide us on the myriad, multi-levered locations that are central to our mission of self-determination.
She deserved to live longer than she did but her work remains even longer with us to guide us on the myriad, multi-levered locations that are central to our mission of self-determination.
emerynmader's review against another edition
Too academic for a book to read in my free time. Also, I lacked any previous knowledge about Claudia Jones or her writings which made the book very difficult to follow and left me with the impression that a lot of content and points made were repeated.
Which is too bad bc her life seems actually very interesting and this bok's inteoduction presents it as some rediscovery of Claudia Jones so I originally thouht the lack of knowledge wouldn't be a problem. But I would probably be better off reading something akin to a biography about her which incorporated her politics and their evolutions through her life.
Which is too bad bc her life seems actually very interesting and this bok's inteoduction presents it as some rediscovery of Claudia Jones so I originally thouht the lack of knowledge wouldn't be a problem. But I would probably be better off reading something akin to a biography about her which incorporated her politics and their evolutions through her life.