Anne Braden Speaks: Selected Writings and Speeches, 1947-1999

Anne Braden was a revolutionary of the civil rights movement who shaped the self-understanding of the entire movement. She was a trade unionist, journalist, and informal advisor to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She forged direct links between the radical left of the 1930s and 40s and the 1960s and endured constant attacks from the U.S. government due to her association with Communism. Anne Braden Speaks provides full access to a representative collection of Bradens writings, speeches, and letters, and the full spectrum of their subject matter.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 23 August 2022
Publisher: Monthly Review Press,U.S.

Anne Braden, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, defied societal expectations by becoming a revolutionary. Raised in the South, she emerged as a staunch advocate against Jim Crow laws in the 1950s, standing out as one of a few white Southerners willing to challenge the oppressive system. Throughout the 1960s, Braden's journalism provided a profound and historically informed analysis of events, resonating widely among civil rights activists. She served as an informal advisor to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., closely associated with influential figures such as Ella Baker, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, and Myles Horton. Braden also mentored countless young revolutionaries until her passing in 2006.

In a period when the ruling class in North America sought to undermine the connections between movements, Braden established vital connections between the radical left of the 1930s and 1940s and the 1960s. Her unwavering commitment to social justice led to relentless attacks from the U.S. government, largely due to her association with Communism. Despite this, Braden's profound influence on the early civil rights movement has often been marginalized or sanitized to conform to the official narrative. Anne Braden Speaks seeks to rectify this distorted portrayal, offering a comprehensive collection of Braden's writings, speeches, and letters, encompassing the full range of her subjects.

Through this invaluable resource, readers gain a deeper understanding of Braden's life and work. Her writings reveal her unwavering commitment to social justice, her sharp intellect, and her courage in the face of adversity. Braden's speeches and letters provide a firsthand account of the civil rights movement, shedding light on the struggles, challenges, and triumphs of the era. By presenting a more complete picture of Braden's contributions, Anne Braden Speaks offers a valuable corrective to the historical record, challenging the dominant narrative and providing a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of a revolutionary who shaped the course of civil rights history.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 140 x 209 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781583679708