A review by ameeth
This Bridge Called My Back, Fortieth Anniversary Edition by Gloria E. Anzaldúa, Cherríe Moraga

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

This collection took me a month to read (on and off) because every poem, essay, and entry deserved proper absorption. Of the undersung voices, does this anthology contain every possible range of perspectives? No. Does it have to? This edition skillfully addresses its original publication context, acknowledging how different the work would be if redone today. But I am so grateful to see it reshared as the ground-breaker it was, with many calls to action for more people, more stories, more inclusion, and more bridges ("stretch or die"). Before reading, my understanding of This Bridge Called My Back was as a foundational assembly, without which the women's movement would not be where it is today. After reading, that statement holds truer than I could have ever imagined.

There is something uniquely special with this reprint: to observe and analyze how influential the text has been over 40 years, and simultaneously fathom the bravery and risk involved in its origin-- so much has changed for nothing to change. 

Some stand-outs for me: "Wonder Woman" (Genny Lin), Cherríe Moraga, "Invisibility is an Unnatural Disaster" (Mitsuye Yamada), Chrystos, entire section three, Kate Rushin, "Letter to Ma" (Merle Woo), "Speaking in Tongues" (Gloria Anzaldúa), Norma Alarcón, "Revolution" (Pat Parker), "Lesbianism" (Cheryl Clarke). 
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