Can Feminism be African?
In this shining, powerful polemic, Minna Salami opens up a new view of gender equality through two simple questions. What happens when we consider feminism through an African lens, and Africa through a feminist one?
Why does feminism matter in Africa and how does African feminism relate to black liberation and global feminism? What does African feminism show about the individual and belonging? What are the challenges and opportunities of African feminism? Can African feminism transform society, or does postcolonial African identity clash with women’s freedom? Is there a tension in the very notion African feminist?
In its short but impactful history, the feminist movement of Africa has been met with a vicious backlash and antagonism. The backlash has both strengthened and derailed the ambitions of African heritage feminists. Bringing social criticism and personal narrative together, Can Feminism be African? shows how patriarchy and culture stifle feminist spirit – and how we search through language, history, and soul to reawaken it.
Written in the tradition of The Right to Sex, The Soul of a Woman, Of Africa and other books that unwaveringly ask the hard questions about feminist- and/or African revolution, Can Feminism be African? exactingly explores feminist awakening in relation to Africa.
In a first of its kind book, author and social critic Minna Salami guides readers through a thought-provoking and emerging world of feminist thought.
PRAISE FOR SENSUSOUS KNOWLEDGE: -
'A probing, challenging and imaginative book that dares position black feminism as the prism through which we can better experience and understand the world. I savored it as intellectual soul food, while relishing the richness of Minna Salami's ideas and the persuasiveness of her writing. This book is an important addition to the feminist canon in that it shifts our world view and introduces new and exciting possibilities for ways of being' -
Bernardine Evaristo -
'Sensuous Knowledge is an eloquent mélange of ideas and disciplines; part deep, intersectional analysis of structural power, part metaphysical journey into a genius the West hasn’t given language to. An essential read for a new decade' -
Johny Pitts, author of Afropean -
'A timely, refreshing, nourishing and captivating read. In the era of ever widening division and cultural strife, Sensuous Knowledge urges us to rethink power, sisterhood, beauty, identity and more. A crucial read which through the sharing of African-centered approaches alleviate political and social frustrations. On these pages there really is something to learn for everyone' -
Ayishat Akanbi, writer, cultural commentator, fashion stylist -