Black Macho and the Myth of the Superwoman (Verso Classics) (Verso Classsics, 26)

Originally published in 1978, this book caused a storm of controversy as Michele Wallace blasted the masculinist bias of the black politics that emerged from the sixties. She described how women remained marginalized by the patriarchal culture of Black Power and the ways in which a genuine female subjectivity was blocked by the traditional myths of black womanhood. In 1990 the author added a new introduction examining the debate the book had sparked between intellectuals and political leaders; an extensive bibliography of contemporary black feminist studies was also added. __Black Macho__ raised issues and arguments that framed the terms of current feminist and black theory and continues to be relevant today. A classic and controversial critique of sexism in the black nationalist movement, this “landmark black feminist text” is essential reading for those engaged in discussions about feminism and race politics ( Ms. ) Originally published in 1978, Black Macho and the Myth of the Superwoman caused a storm of controversy. Michele Wallace blasted the masculine biases of the black politics that emerged from the sixties. She described how women remained marginalized by the patriarchal culture of Black Power, demonstrating the ways in which a genuine female subjectivity was blocked by the traditional myths of black womanhood. With a foreword that examines the debate the book has sparked between intellectuals and political leaders, as well as what has—and, crucially, has not—changed over the last four decades, Black Macho and the Myth of the Superwoman continues to be deeply relevant to current feminist debates and black theory today. In *Black Macho and the Myth of the Superwoman*, Michele Wallace blasts the masculinist bias of 1960s Black politics, showing how women remained marginalised by the patriarchal culture of Black Power. She describes the ways in which traditional, male-identified myths of Black womanhood block the development of a separate female subjectivity. Wallace explores the concept of the 'Strong Black Woman' and the labels, tropes and stereotypes applied to Black women and that are perpetuated by Black men. Looks at the masculinist bias of 1960s Black politics, showing how women remained marginalised by the patriarchal culture of Black Power.