Making Livable Worlds: Afro-Puerto Rican Women Building Environmental Justice

Afro-Puerto Rican women have used their cultural knowledge to engage in daily improvisations that enable their communities to survive and thrive in the face of economic austerity, political upheaval, and environmental calamities. Their life-affirming practices offer powerful modes of resistance to gendered and racialized exploitation, ecological ruination, and deepening capitalist extraction. Making Livable Worlds recasts narratives that erase Black Puerto Rican women as agents of social change, serving as an "ethnographer of home" to bring to life the powerful histories and testimonies of a marginalized, disavowed community.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 24 November 2021
Publisher: University of Washington Press

In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and María struck Puerto Rico, exacerbating the island's already dire circumstances. The devastating impact of these storms compounded the challenges faced by the community, including economic austerity, political upheaval, and environmental disasters. In the face of these ongoing crises, Afro-Puerto Rican women have harnessed their cultural knowledge to devise innovative and resilient strategies to support their communities. Their life-affirming practices, deeply rooted in generations of tradition, serve as powerful tools against gendered and racialized exploitation, ecological degradation, and the relentless extraction of capital. Through solidarity, reciprocity, and an ethic of care, these women create alternative models of ownership and dispossession, fostering meaningful lives and thriving communities.
Making Livable Worlds is a groundbreaking work that challenges prevailing narratives that marginalize Black Puerto Rican women as agents of social change. Through a blend of autobiography, ethnography, interviews, memories, and fieldwork, Lloréns vividly brings to life the rich histories and testimonies of a marginalized and disavowed community that has often been treated as disposable. By centering the experiences and voices of Afro-Puerto Rican women, Lloréns emerges as an "ethnographer of home," illuminating the profound legacies and resilience of this community.
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and María, Afro-Puerto Rican women have emerged as leaders in the fight for social justice and equality. They have organized community-based initiatives, advocated for policy changes, and raised awareness about the systemic issues that perpetuate poverty and discrimination. Their resilience and determination have inspired others to join the movement, amplifying their collective voice and working towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
However, the journey towards a more just and sustainable future is not without its challenges. Despite the progress made, Afro-Puerto Rican women continue to face systemic barriers, including limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. They also face discrimination and violence, both within their communities and at the hands of the state.
To address these challenges, it is essential to prioritize the empowerment and recognition of Afro-Puerto Rican women. This includes investing in education and training programs that promote economic empowerment and job creation, providing access to quality healthcare and reproductive rights, and combating violence and discrimination through policy changes and community-based initiatives.
Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize the interconnectedness of all social justice issues and to work towards a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of inequality. This requires collaboration between different sectors, including government, civil society, the private sector, and community organizations, to develop sustainable solutions that promote social and economic mobility for all.
In conclusion, Afro-Puerto Rican women have played a vital role in shaping the history and future of their communities. Their life-affirming practices, resilience, and leadership have contributed to the survival and thriving of their communities in the face of adversity. However, the road to a more just and sustainable future remains challenging. By prioritizing the empowerment and recognition of Afro-Puerto Rican women, investing in education and training, providing access to healthcare and reproductive rights, and combating violence and discrimination, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Weight: 304g
Dimension: 153 x 227 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295749402