Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment

Black Feminist Thought is a foundational text in the field of feminist studies. Celebrated for its depth, rigor, and commitment to centering the experiences of Black women, the book was first published in 1990, and its contemporary relevance is evidenced by the release of the 30th Anniversary Edition by Routledge in 2022. The book is not only required reading in many university Women’s Studies and Black Studies programs, but also used in a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, philosophy, psychology, and history. The popularity and longevity of Black Feminist Thought reflect the continued need for Black feminism to combat intersecting oppressions. As Collins observes, “As long as Black women’s subordination within intersecting oppressions of race, class, gender, sexuality, and nation persists, Black feminism as an activist response to that oppression will remain needed” (22).

Collins is widely seen as a pioneer of Black feminism. She acknowledges this status in the Preface to the First Edition of Black Feminist Thought, while also warning of its pitfalls:

While it is certainly appealing to receive recognition for one's accomplishments, my experiences as the ‘first,’ ‘one of the few’, and the ‘only’ have shown me how effective selecting a few and using them to control the many can be in stifling subordinate groups.