Reclaiming Our Space: How Black Feminists Are Changing the World from the Tweets to the Streets

Feminist activist and writer Jones thoroughly explores how black women are carving out digital niches, building community among like-minded people, and fighting back against racism and misogyny. She looks at some of the most successful hashtags of “Black Twitter,” including her own #YouOKSis, which spread awareness about street harassment. Jones also interviews other influential people and activists, including CaShawn Thompson, founder of the Black Girl Magic movement, which draws attention to black women’s achievements, and Glynda Carr, founder of Higher Heights for America, which supports black women in politics. She astutely analyzes the nuances of black female identity and argues it is embattled and erased on two fronts, as feminism writ large is viewed as a white woman’s space, and racial politics are monopolized by men: “Where all the women are white and all the blacks are men, we are not white enough to be women and too womanly to be black.” Another section uses the lens of slavery and colonization to examine the lack of positive representations of black sexuality. Jones encourages other marginalized people to speak out, using “personal branding, activism, and innovative marketing strategies” such as hashtags and evidence-presenting tweet threads to amplify their messages. Part memoir, part tactical guide to internet activism, Jones’s entertaining book advises black women on how to make their voices heard and everyone else on best practices for being an ally. [em](Jan.) [/em]