Anarchism and the Black Revolution: The Definitive Edition

Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin, William C. Anderson, Joy James

Book cover for Anarchism and the Black Revolution: The Definitive Edition
Book cover for Anarchism and the Black Revolution: The Definitive Edition
Book cover for Anarchism and the Black Revolution: The Definitive Edition
Book cover for Anarchism and the Black Revolution: The Definitive Edition

Anarchism and the Black Revolution: The Definitive Edition

Anarchism and the Black Revolution: The Definitive Edition

Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin, William C. Anderson, Joy James

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Description

"A powerful - even startling - book...Its analysis of police violence and the threat of fascism are as important now as they were at the end of the 1970s." - Peter James Hudson, Black Agenda Report

In a time of movements like Black Lives Matter and concepts like anti-racism, it's more important than ever to look at earlier movements for lessons and inspiration. Anarchism and the Black Revolution is must reading for activists and academics alike.

Anarchism and the Black Revolution first connected Black radical thought to anarchist theory in 1979. Now amidst a rising tide of Black political organizing, this foundational classic written by a key figure of the Civil Rights movement is republished with a wealth of original material for a new generation.

Anarchist theory has long suffered from a whiteness problem. This book places its critique of both capitalism and racism firmly at the center of the text. Subjects include:

*Capitalism and racism: an analysis of white supremacy
*Anarchism defined
*Anarchist versus Marxist
*Capitalism, the state, and private property
*The anarchist case against representative government
*Anarchism and the black revolution
*And more!

Making a powerful case for the building of a Black revolutionary movement that rejects sexism, homophobia, militarism and racism, Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin counters the lies and distortions about anarchism spread by its left-wing and right-wing opponents alike.

New material for this edition includes an interview with writer and activist William C. Anderson, as well as new essays, and a contextualizing biography of the author's inspiring life.

About the Author

Lorenzo Kom'boa Ervin is an American writer, activist and black anarchist. He is a former member of SNCC, the Black Panther Party and Concerned Citizens for Justice. Following an attempt to frame him on weapons charges and for threatening the life of a Ku Klux Klan leader, Ervin hijacked a plane to Cuba in February 1969. While in Cuba, and later Czechoslovakia, Ervin grew disillusioned with the authoritarianism of state socialism. Captured by the CIA in Eastern Europe, he was extradited to the US, put on trial and sentenced to life in prison in 1970. He was introduced to anarchism whilst in prison, inspiring him to write Anarchism and the Black Revolution in 1979. Released after 15 years, Ervin remains politically active.

Critical Reviews

'Anarchism and the Black Revolution is a short, though powerful - even startling - monograph that challenges many of the shibboleths of "white" anarchism, the received wisdom of Black Marxist thought, and the pieties of liberalism, white, Black or otherwise. It is also stunningly prescient. Its analysis and critiques of police violence and the threat of fascism are as important now as they were at the end of the 1970s. Perhaps more so.'

Publishing Information

Publisher: Pluto Press (UK)
Pub date: 2021-10-20
Length: 224 pages

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