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A review by sarabz
Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision by Barbara Ransby
5.0
I loved this book. The writing wasn't my favorite ever - I think the book is geared towards academic use and a lot of points get repeated over and over - but Ella Baker was an amazing woman. Baker's career spanned from the 1930's to the 1970's. I haven't read many books that talk about the older people who made contributions to the liberation movements of the 60's or that show in such detail some of foundation building that occurred in the decades before.
I not only learned a lot from reading the book, but I was thoroughly inspired. She was an activist and organizer who continued to make meaningful and valuable contributions as she got older, and Ransby's depiction of her political development and evolution is certainly thought-provoking. Ransby also manages to place her within larger contexts which add to the story and to better understanding the many elements that are part of radical political culture in the US and Baker's role within that.
Baker moved through many organizations throughout her career, and found ways to shape her paying jobs to work for her larger political goals. Seeing an example of this meant a lot to me. It was so great to read about someone who held and maintained a vision and community that is outside of doctrines yet very firmly rooted, and was able to make it real too.
I not only learned a lot from reading the book, but I was thoroughly inspired. She was an activist and organizer who continued to make meaningful and valuable contributions as she got older, and Ransby's depiction of her political development and evolution is certainly thought-provoking. Ransby also manages to place her within larger contexts which add to the story and to better understanding the many elements that are part of radical political culture in the US and Baker's role within that.
Baker moved through many organizations throughout her career, and found ways to shape her paying jobs to work for her larger political goals. Seeing an example of this meant a lot to me. It was so great to read about someone who held and maintained a vision and community that is outside of doctrines yet very firmly rooted, and was able to make it real too.