To Defend This Sunrise: Black Women's Activism and the Authoritarian Turn in Nicaragua

To Defend this Sunrise explores how black women activists in Nicaragua are resisting racialized state violence, economic exclusion, and political repression by utilizing multicultural rhetoric as a mode of political, economic, and territorial dispossession. In the face of the Sandinista state's co-optation of multicultural discourse and growing authoritarianism, black communities have had to recalibrate their activist strategies and modes of critique to resist these new forms of "multicultural dispossession."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 13 January 2023
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

To Defend this Sunrise delves into the compelling stories of black women on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, exploring their dynamic engagement in regional, national, and transnational activism as they strive to reshape the nation's racial order amidst escalating economic precarity and autocratic tendencies. The book takes a deep dive into the historical and contemporary struggles of black women activists, examining their unwavering resistance against patterns of racialized state violence, economic marginalization, territorial dispossession, and political repression. Specifically, it uncovers how the new Sandinista state under the leadership of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has employed multicultural rhetoric as a tool for political, economic, and territorial dispossession.

In the face of the Sandinista state's co-optation of multicultural discourse and the rise of authoritarianism, black communities have been compelled to recalibrate their activist strategies and modes of critique to confront these emerging forms of "multicultural dispossession." This concept encapsulates the ways in which state actors and institutions undermine the radical, transformative potential of multiculturalism by promoting the rhetoric of democratic recognition while simultaneously supporting illiberal practices and policies that undermine black political demands and weaken the legal frameworks upon which these activists seek redress against the state.

Throughout the book, To Defend this Sunrise offers a rich tapestry of narratives and insights, shedding light on the unwavering resilience and determination of black women activists as they navigate the complex terrain of social, political, and economic change. It highlights their innovative approaches to resistance, such as community organizing, cultural production, and legal advocacy, as they work to dismantle systems of oppression and build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Moreover, the book raises important questions about the role of gender, race, and class in shaping activism and social movements. It explores how black women's experiences and perspectives are often marginalized or overlooked in mainstream narratives, and how they use their unique identities and experiences to forge new paths of resistance and empowerment.

In conclusion, To Defend this Sunrise is a groundbreaking work that offers a profound understanding of the complex dynamics of race, gender, and power in contemporary Nicaragua. Through the compelling stories of black women activists, the book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the ongoing struggles for social justice and equality in the region and beyond. It serves as a call to action for all those who seek to build a more inclusive and just world, where the voices and experiences of marginalized communities are heard and valued.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 158 x 234 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978804791