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A review by sydsnot71
Black and Female by Tsitsi Dangarembga
4.0
Black and Female is a series of three long essays and an introduction - which serves as a long essay on the history of Zimbabwe as a coercive force from colonial times to the present - by Tsitsi Dangarembga about being...well...Black and Female.
She begins the book as follows: "I am an existential refugee. I have been in flight since I left the womb, and probably before, given the circumstances I was born into and the effect of these circumstances on my prenatal environment." And the essays effectively explain what this means in reality.
As a white, male Englishman this is not an easy read. Nor should it be. In a time when a majority of British people think that the Empire was 'a good thing' - a survey that Tsitsi Dangarembga notes in this book - books like this are essential. The British Empire was a crime against humanity. Glossing over that by claiming superficial benefits ignores the deep wounds it has left across the world economically, environmentally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Dangarembga notes that white people don't like to face up to what they have done and are doing because who wants to admit to crimes against humanity, but to move into the future we have to face up to our past. But here I am making this book about us. Taking someone else's story and whacking my fat white face into it.
"Blackness is a condition imposed on me, rather than being an experienced identity. To this day, I do not identify with the word ‘black’ with respect to colour but with respect to experiences I have endured as a result of the imposed category."
I think she makes many valid points about how black women are excluded, ignored or controlled by both colonialism and by post-colonial governments. There is a lot in this book about how the post-colonial Zimbabwe tries to silence women, particular feminists. Or divert them. The example of how Grace Mugabe was attacked - not just for what she might do or be doing - but for having ideas above her station as a women was an illustration modern male Zimbabwe. I was reminded of some of some passages from NoViolet Bulawayo's 'Glory'. Indeed, you could make an excellent reading double-bill by picking up 'Black and Female' and 'Glory' and reading them side by side.
This is a book that calls for a revolution whilst explaining how we got to where we are. I think that in 2023 it is essential reading, although I wonder who will read it. I fear that mostly it will preach to the converted, but even for us it is a good reminder of what we have not experienced and how we perhaps the best that we can do is get out of the way and allow black women to speak for themselves.
Read it.
She begins the book as follows: "I am an existential refugee. I have been in flight since I left the womb, and probably before, given the circumstances I was born into and the effect of these circumstances on my prenatal environment." And the essays effectively explain what this means in reality.
As a white, male Englishman this is not an easy read. Nor should it be. In a time when a majority of British people think that the Empire was 'a good thing' - a survey that Tsitsi Dangarembga notes in this book - books like this are essential. The British Empire was a crime against humanity. Glossing over that by claiming superficial benefits ignores the deep wounds it has left across the world economically, environmentally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Dangarembga notes that white people don't like to face up to what they have done and are doing because who wants to admit to crimes against humanity, but to move into the future we have to face up to our past. But here I am making this book about us. Taking someone else's story and whacking my fat white face into it.
"Blackness is a condition imposed on me, rather than being an experienced identity. To this day, I do not identify with the word ‘black’ with respect to colour but with respect to experiences I have endured as a result of the imposed category."
I think she makes many valid points about how black women are excluded, ignored or controlled by both colonialism and by post-colonial governments. There is a lot in this book about how the post-colonial Zimbabwe tries to silence women, particular feminists. Or divert them. The example of how Grace Mugabe was attacked - not just for what she might do or be doing - but for having ideas above her station as a women was an illustration modern male Zimbabwe. I was reminded of some of some passages from NoViolet Bulawayo's 'Glory'. Indeed, you could make an excellent reading double-bill by picking up 'Black and Female' and 'Glory' and reading them side by side.
This is a book that calls for a revolution whilst explaining how we got to where we are. I think that in 2023 it is essential reading, although I wonder who will read it. I fear that mostly it will preach to the converted, but even for us it is a good reminder of what we have not experienced and how we perhaps the best that we can do is get out of the way and allow black women to speak for themselves.
Read it.