Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower
Written by Brittney Cooper
Narrated by Brittney Cooper
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
"...Cooper delivers a frank, conversational-style examination of the importance of black female friendships, respectability politics, and harmful stereotypes, among other topics. She blends candor and humor as she roots out toxic behaviors and beliefs we use in America to tear ourselves and each other down, while also offering paths forward. Listeners learn how rage, aimed with fine-tuned focus and purpose, can help build up black women's lives and society overall." — AudioFile Magazine
With searing honesty, intimacy and humor too, America’s leading young black feminist celebrates the power of rage in this piercing new audiobook.
So what if it’s true that Black women are mad as hell? They have the right to be. In the Black feminist tradition of Audre Lorde, Brittney Cooper reminds us that anger is a powerful source of energy that can give us the strength to keep on fighting.
Far too often, Black women’s anger has been caricatured into an ugly and destructive force that threatens the civility and social fabric of American democracy. But Cooper shows us that there is more to the story than that. Black women’s eloquent rage is what makes Serena Williams such a powerful tennis player. It’s what makes Beyoncé’s girl power anthems resonate so hard. It’s what makes Michelle Obama an icon.
Eloquent rage keeps us all honest and accountable. It reminds women that they don’t have to settle for less. When Cooper learned of her grandmother's eloquent rage about love, sex, and marriage in an epic and hilarious front-porch confrontation, her life was changed. And it took another intervention, this time staged by one of her homegirls, to turn Brittney into the fierce feminist she is today. In Brittney Cooper’s world, neither mean girls nor fuckboys ever win. But homegirls emerge as heroes. This audiobook argues that ultimately feminism, friendship, and faith in one's own superpowers are all we really need to turn things right side up again.
More Praise for Eloquent Rage:
“I was waiting for an author who wouldn’t forget, ignore, or erase us black girls as they told their own story...I was waiting and she has come—in Brittney Cooper.” — Melissa Harris Perry
“Cooper may be the boldest young feminist writing today. Her critique is sharp, her love of Black people and Black culture is deep, and she will make you laugh out loud.” — Michael Eric Dyson
Brittney Cooper
Brittney Cooper writes a popular monthly column on race, gender, and politics for Cosmopolitan. A professor of Women's and Gender Studies and Africana Studies at Rutgers University, she co-founded the Crunk Feminist Collective, and her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Ebony.com, and The Root.com, among many others. In 2017, she was named to The Root 100 List, and in 2018, to the Essence Woke 100 List.
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Reviews for Eloquent Rage
296 ratings24 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Such an excellent book. I have recommended it over and over again to my friends. I’m so grateful it was written. Speaking realnsss with scholastic sass and clarity. Essential reading for white folks trying to be useful but making racial blunders all over the place.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent book for every 20-something Black girl to read! Dr. Cooper asks and answers the questions that you have always wondered- be it about dating, careers, family, race respectability, and owning your own Black girl magic. I highly recommend.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brilliant and beautifully written. People of all races shouls read this.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I could relate to some of the things that doctor Cooper was stating and there were some things I did not 100% agree. I highly recommend this book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Never have I felt more seen, more hears & more felt than I have “reading” any other piece of literature. Cooper belays a beautiful crystal clear mirror against the face of what it FEELS like and means to be a black feminist in America today. It’s eerie yet comforting and sad in a way how similar our stories are, which simply goes further to show how powerful the systematic structure around black folk truly works. I cried ad felt uplifted and educated as she offered to me “home girl intervention” after “home girl” intervention. I feel more equipped as apt to face the world around me with a greater since of power, presence and purpose. Buying a hard copy for my momma, and for myself (so I and every partner I chose to date can take note). Thank you 1000x sis!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Absolutely amazing!!! Refreshingly honest, she's now one of my favorites authors
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brittney Cooper’s is the black female voice I wish everyone could read/listen to. But more specifically, black women need this kind of affirmation . I loved this(10⭐️)
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A must read in particular for white feminists who seek to be inclusive across race in understanding the struggles of all women and working together to move forward. Dr Cooper is smart, fierce, funny, and succinct in her message.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Inspiring, witty, real. Dr. Cooper’s vulnerability and honestly throughout this story are an amazing look at the lives of Black women and a testament to Black strength .
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The title is the truth. Must read and so glad it was recommend for my WGSS course.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An excellent book! Beautifully written and relatable as hell! I’d recommend to anyone!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is such a beautifully written and insightful book. This book helped answered some of my burijg questions about my identity as a black woman and where I'm supposed to fit in the world. The patriarchy harms everyone. We win some, we loose some. Highly recommended
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing! Well worth a listen, especially in these times of protesting Police brutality and fighting for justice for black lives. But also great to listen to from a feminist perspective and as a white person. We need to have more understanding and more perspectives if we want to change our society for the better.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Love everything about this book. Trying to make my rage a force for good.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An essential read for all- there’s so much clarity and humor in her words! Loved it
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So comprehensive and enthralling. I can’t wait to reread this because I know that each time I do, I’ll absorb more information.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very relatable and eloquent indeed - even for a white women like me
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I loved it! Can totally relate to her in this book!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book hits like a tsunami. Well written on point and truth spoken.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brittney accompanied me everyday on my morning walks - this is precisely the energy I needed before stepping into the virtual office. The directness, the truth in every word and it many times comical delivery keep you captivated during the entire book. She speaks to you and that eloquent rage we, as black women carry within. I highly recommend!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5#bookreview - My top three thoughts on ‘Eloquent Rage’:
1. This book covers black feminism as well as the author's political, cultural and personal thoughts on blackness and it's challenges. It's such a well written book because of how beautifully the author has expressed her rage and the injustices her race and gender have to face. Cooper uses such eloquent language, hence the title. She's practical, informative and able to articulate each thought clearly. Everything she says is backed by facts instead of just ranting or complaining. I really didn't want this book to end!
2. There are many interesting points Cooper mentions in the book but I'd like to point one out in particular that I feel doesn't get discussed enough. Cooper says that many men now understand feminist rhetoric but don't apply it to their lives. It's not a matter of being uninformed anymore. It's just conveniently ignored when it suits them best. I couldn’t agree more about this willful ignorance. I’ve seen this for myself and come across too many women who tell me this as well.
3. There are plenty of sections where Cooper calls out other races boldly about their shortcomings and what they can do to change. Nothing is expressed in an offensive manner and that's the beauty of Cooper's writing. She’s given me plenty of things to think about, especially when it comes to black feminism. I highly recommend this book irrespective of race or gender. @bookedin3 book review - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My favorite part of the book were her parting words:
- [ ] May you have joy (2 Corinthians )
- [ ] May I have gut busting belly laughter every day
- [ ] May you ask more and better questions
- [ ] May your rage be a force for good
I liked that she doesn’t take mess and cusses like me. I too grew up with white friends but don’t have any close white female friends now. I think our lifestyles lead us to different paths. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A wonderful and challenging book about the potential power of female rage to create change. Accessible and vital.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5AMAZING!!!! Wove the interpersonal with the structural seamlessly— making room for all the complexity and tensions and disappointment and questions. Brilliant.