Reviews for A Shining Thread of Hope: The History of Black Women in America

The average rating for A Shining Thread of Hope: The History of Black Women in America based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2008-09-20 00:00:00 Carolyn Alder Excellent and worth it. I read this for my African American Women's History class. I just finished up the last few chapters, which we hadn't gotten to in class. Hine and Thompson are critical and self-conscious of their roles as historians of African American women in a field (and country) that has deliberately neglected, exploited, and erased this story. Every chapter demonstrates the need for this book, the specific history of Black women in America as shaped by intersecting oppressions (racism, sexism, classism, etc.) and a shared (though diverse) cultural background. You won't find this history in an average US history textbook, or even in Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States 1492 to Present. The more I read this book the more I feel that African American women's history is the sharpest lens through which to understand how today came to be. For example, A Shining Thread of Hope exposes the multidimensional, psychological and physical depth of enslavement and how it still resonates in US culture and policy. The book also highlights hundreds of years of effective, democratic resistance based on community support and organizing. As the authors wryly state: "Black women ... have developed values over almost four centuries that actually seem to work." Hine is responsible for bringing to light the impact of sexualized violence on the history of African American women, especially under enslavement and as an oft-ignored cause of the Great Migration. Her work is worth reading for this analysis alone. The writing in A Shining Thread of Hope remains flowing and enjoyable-- and hopeful, like its title suggests, despite the injustices and horror they document. The topics covered are diverse, from art to politics to grassroots activism. One of the most interesting quirks about this book is the way the authors will often list names of influential African American women. This would usually be a boring faux pas in a history book, but Hine and Thompson manage instead to make each name ring out. The names and accomplishments of these great women are unfamiliar to the general US audience. Stating these women's names pays them respect while quietly taking to task our ignorance.

Review # 2 was written on 2019-05-16 00:00:00 Kenny Evans A Shining Thread of Hope should be required reading for all people because -History is often presented from a wealthy white male perspective. This book is not about them...at all. Women are often depicted as being support figures in relation to men wielding power and influence. While this is true to some degree, it is not the one and only story. -Black women are shown as magnificent, intelligent, capable authoritative figures in any discipline of their choosing. Politics, armed forces, education, religion, the arts, and community leadership are all represented well. Black women are not a monolithic stereotype that can be categorized as Mammy, Jezebel, or Sapphire. We are women who love, women who are courageous, women who are ambitious, in one word we are human. The writing style of this book is accessible. Though it took me longer than I would have liked to complete reading, it was not a chore at all. I admire the transitions between the subjects and chapters, it reminded me of a song that's a perfect composition: the right melody, pitch, and timing set to music that doesn't steal attention from the lyrics. It's not explicitly stated, but I think this book is a good place to begin if one is interested in womanist theory and/or gain understanding of intersectionality. Key quote-something that is SO relevant today "Survival itself was a form of resistance. And resistance was crucial to the survival of the spirit" (91).