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: Hardback
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 emerging as a revolutionary. Born into a Southern belle background, she chose a path that shaped the collective self-understanding of the entire movement. From her early days as a trade unionist in the radical wing of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, Braden stood against the oppressive system of Jim Crow in the 1950s, a rarity among white Southerners. As a journalist throughout the 1960s, her insightful and historically grounded analysis of events resonated widely among civil rights activists. She served as an informal advisor to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a close associate of influential leaders like Ella Baker, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, and Myles Horton, and a mentor to countless young revolutionaries until her passing in 2006.

In a period when the North American ruling class sought to undermine the continuity between movements, Braden forged direct connections between the radical left of the 1930s and 40s and the 1960s. Her unwavering commitment to social justice and her association with Communism led to relentless attacks from the U.S. government. Despite this, Braden's profound influence on the early civil rights movement has often been marginalized or sanitized to align with the official narrative. Anne Braden Speaks aims to rectify this distorted narrative by providing a comprehensive collection of Braden's writings, speeches, and letters, encompassing the full range of her subjects.

Through this book, readers gain unprecedented access to the thoughts and ideas of a revolutionary who played a pivotal role in shaping the course. Braden's writings offer a deep insight into her personal experiences, political convictions, and unwavering commitment to social change. Her speeches and letters reveal her passionate advocacy for civil rights, labor rights, and peace, reflecting her unwavering dedication to justice and equality.

By presenting Braden's writings in their original form, Anne Braden Speaks allows readers to engage with her ideas on their own terms and form their own interpretations. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the history and legacy of the civil rights movement. Braden's contributions and insights have been overlooked or marginalized, but this book offers a corrective
opportunity to rectify that injustice and recognize her rightful place in the history of social justice movements.

In conclusion, Anne Braden Speaks is a groundbreaking work that provides a comprehensive and accessible glimpse into the mind of a revolutionary who shaped the civil rights movement. By presenting Braden's writings, speeches, and letters in their original form, this book offers a valuable resource for scholars, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the history and legacy of social justice movements. Braden's contributions and insights have been overlooked or marginalized, but this book offers a chance to rectify that injustice and recognize her rightful place in the history of social justice movements.

Weight: 548g
Dimension: 146 x 222 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781583679715