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A review by gkierulf
Lean on Me: A Politics of Radical Care by Lynne Segal
4.0
I didn't expect to tear up reading this, but the intimate autobiographical style in which Segal writes really moved me – especially regarding aging/ageism and disability activism.
While this book doesn't necessarily provide the reader with textbook-like exposition or a deep-dive on 'a politics of radical care' it recounts an activist and scholar's life of distinguished activism within and beyond communities/networks of care.
While other reviews seem to find the title a little misleading, I disagree somewhat, as the book does indeed outline a politics of radical care. Segal writes on the development of socialist feminism, in and around her life and its relationship to contemporary and historical politics of care. Often the autobiographical vignettes offered up by Segal, and the political moments they contain, provide real, striking, and urgent parallels to socialist/feminist issues of today.
Outside of this, however, I found Segal's chapter on vulnerability –especially the part on aging– incredibly moving and enlightening and I realized it highlighted a potential gap in my activism/advocacy.
If nothing else, this quick and intimate read offers one a hopeful (if urgent) autobiography tracing a preeminent (socialist) feminist's political engagement with care over their long activist career, all viewed through a lens of radical care – thus putting forward a politics of radical care.
While this book doesn't necessarily provide the reader with textbook-like exposition or a deep-dive on 'a politics of radical care' it recounts an activist and scholar's life of distinguished activism within and beyond communities/networks of care.
While other reviews seem to find the title a little misleading, I disagree somewhat, as the book does indeed outline a politics of radical care. Segal writes on the development of socialist feminism, in and around her life and its relationship to contemporary and historical politics of care. Often the autobiographical vignettes offered up by Segal, and the political moments they contain, provide real, striking, and urgent parallels to socialist/feminist issues of today.
Outside of this, however, I found Segal's chapter on vulnerability –especially the part on aging– incredibly moving and enlightening and I realized it highlighted a potential gap in my activism/advocacy.
If nothing else, this quick and intimate read offers one a hopeful (if urgent) autobiography tracing a preeminent (socialist) feminist's political engagement with care over their long activist career, all viewed through a lens of radical care – thus putting forward a politics of radical care.