The Radical Imagination of Black Women: Ambition, Politics, and Power

Black women have historically engaged in politics to achieve equality and improve their status. Since 2016, the number of women, particularly Black women, seeking office has increased. Pearl K. Ford Dowe's book "The Radical Imagination of Black Women" challenges political science's current approach to political ambition by exploring how Black women decide to seek political office. It argues that Black women's political ambition often manifests outside formal politics, in activism and community building, and is linked to a wider radical vision for a full democracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 October 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Historically, Black women have viewed political participation as a crucial avenue to achieve full equality and enhance their status in US society. To this end, Black women have actively engaged in politics through various means, including activism, voting, mobilization, and pursuing political office. Since 2016, there has been a significant increase in the number of women, particularly Black women, who are actively seeking political positions. This research project, titled "The Radical Imagination of Black Women," aims to challenge the current approach to political ambition in political science by exploring how Black women decide to pursue political office.

Pearl K. Ford Dowe argues that the measurement of Black women's ambition should not solely focus on political candidacies and ascensions within the political chain of power. Black women possess unique positions within their communities, allowing them to influence politics and public policy. This influence is influenced by a combination of socialization, gender, racial identity, and marginalization, which shape the political attitudes of Black women. Consequently, Dowe asserts that Black women's political ambition often manifests outside formal politics, in activism and community building, which is interconnected with a broader radical vision for a fully democratic society.

It is important to recognize that this ambition arises within a specific context of marginalization, and the motivation and conditions surrounding such motivation play a vital role in understanding the diverse range of Black women's political work. By focusing on Black women's experiences in elite politics, this research project provides a much-needed intervention in the literature on electoral ambition, women in politics, and candidates and elections. Through comprehensive interviews with Black women holding political office at the national, state, and local levels, as well as focus group data, this project seeks to shed light on the complex factors that shape Black women's political aspirations and contributions to society.

In conclusion, Black women have long played a vital role in shaping US politics and society. "The Radical Imagination of Black Women" project aims to explore the diverse ways in which Black women pursue political ambition and contribute to the broader democratic vision. By challenging the traditional metrics of political success and highlighting the unique experiences and perspectives of Black women, this research project aims to advance our understanding of women's political participation and its impact on society.

Weight: 264g
Dimension: 140 x 209 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197650806