This Bridge Called My Back, Fourth Edition: Writings by Radical Women of Color

by Cherríe L. Moraga and Ana Castillo

Book Overview

Finalist for the 2015 ForeWord INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award in the Anthologies Category
Bronze Medalist, 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards in the Anthologies Category

Originally released in 1981, This Bridge Called My Back is a testimony to women of color feminism as it emerged in the last quarter of the twentieth century. Through personal essays, criticism, interviews, testimonials, poetry, and visual...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1438454384
• ISBN13: 9781438454382
• Release Date: March 2015
• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

still learning and loving

My book got borrowed so I went online to get another. It is still SO AMAZINGLY insightful and full of power. And I still can't believe it is out of print when there is so much energy and money put into so much drivvle. But this!!!

Giving Voice to Women of Color

"Bridge" is one of the two books that changed my life. It was given to me by a black gay male friend when I was coming out as bisexual. It gave voice to the challenges that I face as an African American bisexual woman--three identities that I have to live concurrently. I also had the pleasure of meeting several of the authors at a women's conference in 1990. I still have my dog-eared copy with their signatures on their respective entries. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

A classic, ground-breaking feminist of color anthology!

This is such an important anthology of writings by radical women of color on the politics of race, gender, class and sexual orientation. Though it is more than two decades old, the essays and poetry are still ispirational and relevant. Indeed, I strongly feel that this is a book that every feminist should read. That said, I am utterly baffled by how difficult it is to obtain. Could it really be out of print? If so, I hope (hint, hint) that some progressive publishing company like AK Press, South End Press, or Seal re-prints it. I would hate to think of it disappearing into the dustbin of obscurity.

Should be On Every Feminist Bookshelf, in Every Library.

Count yourself lucky if you are able to find a copy of the 3rd Edition. It is extremely rare and very hard to find. If you can't find it though, buy the 1st or 2nd Editions. This is undoubtedly one of the most influential, groundbreaking, and important books ever to come from "Second Wave" feminist thought. Although it has been over 20 years since it was originally published, it still retains its edginess and thought-provoking qualities. The book, which features the writings of Asian, Latin, African, and Native American women was also groundbreaking in that many of the women are lesbians and/or from working class backgrounds. (Although lesbian and/or working class anthologies are unsual now, it was significant back in 1981.) Writers include Audre Lorde, Pat Parker, Barbara Smith, Anzaldua, Moraga, Barbara Cameron, and Aurora Levins Morales. Essays, poems, short stories, creative and autobiographical pieces are the basis for this book. Although it is best known for confronting racism within and outside of the Women's Movement, the book also examines: * the roots of the authors' radical politics * theory vs. real life * culture, class, and homophobia * on being an ethic writer/artist * visions for a better future The 3rd Edition also contains pictures of art and sculpture by radical women of color artists circa late 1970s-early 1980s. These add more layers and depth to the book as the artists' works were chosen to compliment the writings. All 3 Editions (but especially the 3rd) contain an excellent bibliography for the reader who is further interested in reading more about women of color feminism. Other books of interest (There are many, many good books by women of color feminists, these are just a few examples): **** ~Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology~ edited by Barbara Smith **** ~A Gathering of Spirit: Writing and Art by North American Indian Women~ edited by Beth Brant **** ~Making Waves: An Anthology of Writings by and About Asian Amerian Women~ edited by Asian Women United of California **** ~Chicana Lesbians: The Girls Our Mothers Warned Us About~ edited by Carla Trujillo. The late Anzaldua and AnaLouise Keatings also edited a sequel/daughter anthology to TBCMB It is called THIS BRIDGE CALLED MY HOME (2002). Lovers of the original -Bridge- book will be intrigued by how the follow-up anthology expands, critiques, and examines the issues found in TBCMB.

Very important collection

Oh my goodness!! This is an incredible ground-breaking book of awareness and consciousness. It was a must-read for anyone coming of age in the 1980's and it is still relevant today. I came on line to purchase it for a friend who had never seen it, and I am in shock that it is out of print, or even just out of stock (it's unclear which). The paperback is selling on ZBooks for $45. I'm confounded.