To Turn the Whole World Over

To Turn the Whole World Over: Black Women and Internationalism edited Keisha N. Blain and Tiffany M. Gill

Divided into three parts this book is collection of essays focused on the role that African American women have held throughout history in connecting the struggles and triumphs of other nations around the world with Black women in the United States. Each essay focuses on a different time, place and person but so often throughout each, readers can see the interconnected work of the women, and the overlapping work that laid the foundations of movements. Unaware of many of the women and organizations included within this collection, I found this information to be extremely enlightening. The amount of effort these women have put in to further the causes of not just Black women but women and peoples worldwide is extraordinary. Seeing it laid out so succinctly and precisely was at moments overwhelming. How the works of so many of these women has gone unacknowledged for so long is beyond me.

Overall these essays serve as a portal to the different times and places of each of these women and organizations that put the well being and advancement of Black women first. Careful analysis of these women and their stories is indeed necessary and with each of these essays there is a comprehensive view of the work that has been done, and the reasons why that work came to an end. I was most intrigued by the earliest attempts to find solidarity with other countries, but also very interested in the work other women had to do to come to terms with their afro heritage.

I definitely recommend this collection. It offers a nuanced and yet critical view of the different women, their plan of action and the spaces they created. It takes into account the historical component as well as the social ramification involved with each woman and the actions she took.

This book was such an inspirational read! I cannot imagine accomplishing all these women did and on an international level!

A thought provoking group of Essays. I learned a great deal of history and it was a great read. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This is a unique collection of essays. These are fascinating histories of Black women connecting with people around the world, forming active relationships, and affecting change. From Celia Jane Allen to Amy Jacques Garvey, these often-unknown stories feature women who fought for rights shoulder to shoulder with women around the world. By reframing events and eras from a Black nationalist perspective, contributors breathe new life into this history. This is an impeccably researched and important anthology.

Black Studies, and activism, have always had an interest in studying and participating in; Pan-Africanism, Black internationalism, and the connections that exist between various sections of the international Black Diaspora. However, as Keisha N. Blain and Tiffany M. Gill inform us, the focus of these studies centred on the activities of men. To Turn the World seeks to rectify this omission, highlighting the role of women in the struggle for an international Black identity.

To Turn The World is an anthology of essays concerning the role of women within the Black internationalist community. The various authors explore the lives of a varied sample of these women. It takes a look at the lives: of the wives/widows of Black activists, such as; Eslanda Robeson, and lesser known women who were simply acting as tourist activists. The Authors focus on women occupying the roles of; tourist, journalist, unofficial diplomats, or activists. The book spans the globe; from the USA to Europe and from Australia to Haiti.

These essays give a glimpse of the activities of a hidden group of activists, adding to an ever growing cannon of works that seek to explore the role of women within history. It is an enjoyable, and informative work.