A review by chicana99
The Undercommons: Fugitive Planning & Black Study by Stefano Harney, Fred Moten

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Reimagining our world for equity through projects & revolutions & study is something I am interested in as somebody interested in design, eco-anarchism and the land back movements. This book articulated several barriers and limitations my family has collectively experienced- whilst acknowledging the realms of possibilities and powers that are found (existing within us, around us, in spaces, texts, in between, in the way we transform things) while living, while studying. Where the text is drawing the scaffolding around the destitution of the university is a section I found especially compelling. Growing up in America of mixed heritage, immigrating to Aotearoa- reflecting and talking on the subjects this book draws out, with my family, has opened up so much room for discussion, imagination and perspective.

This book is like a smush of academia, art and jazz with lots of revolutionary compassion + sparks + tools. I wound up watching "Praxis 10/13: The Undercommons"; a panel discussion on Youtube, when the book was feeling particularly opaque (posted by Columbia Center for Contemporary Critical Thought) and enjoyed that greatly, so want to offer it to you, too.