Louise Thompson Patterson: A Life of Struggle for Justice

Keith Gilyard

Published by Duke University Press 2017

Louise Thompson Patterson

A Life of Struggle for Justice

Keith Gilyard

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780822372318

Overview
Contents

About this book

This is the story of Louise Thompson Patterson—a leading and transformative figure in the radical African American politics of the twentieth century—who spent her entire life dedicating herself toward achieving social justice and liberation for all.

Author / Editor information

Keith Gilyard is Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of English and African American Studies at Pennsylvania State University and the author and editor of numerous books, including True to the Language Game: African American Discourse, Cultural Politics, and Pedagogy and John Oliver Killens: A Life of Black Literary Activism.

Reviews

(Starred Review) "An important book in helping to understand the persistent racism faced by African Americans in this country and what individuals can do to help fight against the injustice."

-- Amy Lewontin Library Journal

"It’s fascinating to read biographies of Black women, particularly those for women as complex and layered as Louise Thompson Patterson.... Gilyard offers a look at one of the most dynamic Black women who’s ever walked the Earth."

-- Evette Dionne Bitch

"Louise Thompson Patterson is the finest sort of biography: impeccably researched and chock full of detail, it also compels the reader by crafting a powerful image of the world in which Louise and her comrades lived and struggled.... Gilyard has offered a masterful portrayal of a key figure in 20th century American history; more importantly his work reminds us there are heroes—imperfect people, like all humans, yet heroes nonetheless—whose commitment, idealism, and perseverance can still serve as an inspiration for us today."

-- Hans Rollman PopMatters

"[T]he story of a highly engaged African American Leftist who remained true to her convictions over the course of the 20th century. Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above."

-- J. E. Anderson Choice

"Keith Gilyard offers deep and invaluable insight into the life of one of the most important Black leftists of the twentieth century."

-- Charisse Burden-Stelly Black Perspectives

"A compelling narrative of political development. . . . We are fortunate to have Gilyard’s informed, sensitive account of a Black woman of the Left."

-- Cheryl Higashida Against the Current

"This pioneering biography deftly contributes to the emerging historiography on radical black feminists."

-- Anthony J. Stanonis Journal of American History

"Louise Thompson Patterson has brought Patterson’s story to life through abundant research and appropriate admiration."

-- Paul Buhle Science & Society

"Louise Thompson Patterson is a compelling, descriptive, and engaging narrative. . . . A welcome addition to existing biographical studies on radical black women political leaders."

-- LaShawn Harris Left History

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
List of abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	xi
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 1. Louise Alone, 1901–1916 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	7
Chapter 2. California Community, 1917–1925 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	26
Chapter 3. Shades of Control, 1925–1928 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	42
Chapter 4. Harlem Kaleidoscope, 1928–1932 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	61
Chapter 5. Madam Moscow, 1932 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	81
Chapter 6. The Struggle Has Nine Lives, 1932–1934 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	97
Chapter 7. Popular Fronts, 1935–1937 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	113
Chapter 8. Ba Ba Ba Bop, 1937–1940 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	129
Chapter 9. Bronzeville Brigades, 1941–1949 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	145
Chapter 10. Sojourns and Sojourners, 1949–1959 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	162
Chapter 11. A Fairer Public Hearing, 1960–1969 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	182
Chapter 12. Confirming Commitments, 1970–1984 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	195
Chapter 13. Still Reaching, 1984–1999 Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	212
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	231
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	271
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	283

Language: English
Publisher: Duke University Press
Audience: General/trade;
Pages
- Main content: 328
Illustrations
- Other: 24 illustrations

eBook

Published: September 29, 2017
ISBN: 9780822372318