SKU: 23087736684

DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta Oakland

Sale price$15.26 Regular price$16.96
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $4.24 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 27 - Aug 1

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

DeFacto Feminism: Essays Straight Outta OaklandJudy Juanita views activism and feminism as it plays out in her political, artistic and spiritual life. A distinguished semifinalist for OSU's 2016 Non Fiction Collection Prize, De Facto blends essays, poems, graphics by the late Rini Templeton and literary criticism. An act of self definition with the feel of memoir, these essays follow a long line of thinkers, including Anna Julia Cooper, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, Michelle

Judy Juanita views activism and feminism as it plays out in her political, artistic and spiritual life. A distinguished semifinalist for OSU's 2016 Non/Fiction Collection Prize, De Facto... blends essays, poems, graphics by the late Rini Templeton and literary criticism. An act of self-definition with the feel of memoir, these essays follow a long line of thinkers, including Anna Julia Cooper, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, Michelle Wallace, Angela Davis, bell hooks, Paula Giddings, Michelle Alexander, Roxane Gay, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. In her semi-autobiographical novel, Virgin Soul, the central character joins the Black Panther Party and calls herself a female foot soldier in the black revolution of the sixties. The feminist foot soldier in De Facto... processes major shifts in American society through her own development. The essays are set chronologically, beginning with a picture of the author's Tuskegee Airman father, and an account of a not altogether idyllic childhood in Oakland. The concept of freedom here is a freedom from complication, from an awaiting black consciousness.

A narrative emerges: Growing up in Oakland in the fifties and sixties. Comparing her burgeoning sexuality to young white females in droves in 1964 having orgiastic responses to the Beatles. Formulating an erstwhile concept of womanhood based on Black Nationalism. Deconstructing the infamous N-word controversy. Looking back acerbically at her romance with The Gun and the black power movement's similar fascination. Paying homage to poet Carolyn M. Rodgers. Celebrating 21st century feminism in unexpected places. Examining race and micro-aggression in liberal Berkeley. Living with a ghost/mentor for a year.

The book's format moves from essay to poem to epistle in the final essay, "Acknowledge Me," a true ghost story in which a dead playwright, once her teacher, pushes her to succeed in spite of her misgivings.

"Whatever Happened to Carolyn M. Rodgers?" pays homage to a poet who became a phantom of the Black Arts Movement (BAM). Rodgers utilized the unbridled militancy of the era, mixing slang, nostalgia, curse words, sociology, raw revelation of sexual intimacy to address the abyss between black men and women; she became a near pariah after reviving her Christian faith.

"All The Women in My Family Read Terry McMillan" asks what to do about black literature, at the release of her novel which doesn't fit with the books her friends and family are reading.

"Putting the Funny in the Novel" was the author's response to her agent saying her novel about the Panthers wasn't funny enough.

"Report from the Front" indicates how America's most liberal city, Berkeley, still channels racism.

The title essay "De Facto Feminism" tallies the myriad ways feminism pops up in a country that counts black women out, from fighting/finding contingency, building bridges, breaking bread, and doing bizness the old fashioned way.

"Cleaning Other People's Houses" considers the value of physical labor as the author works as a domestic for a living; she leaves that job remembering that Zora Neale Hurston worked as a domestic in the last impoverished decade of her life.

In the wake of Trayvon Martin, "The Gun as Ultimate Performance Poem" looks at the gun's dark power and role in the African American community from the Panthers to the present.

"Five Comrades in The Black Panther Party, 1967-1970" recalls the author's youthful joining the Black Panthers.

"The N-Word," in an age of trigger warnings and multiple N-Word explosions, blasts its premature burial...with qualifications, and calling it on white cops.



Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Equidistance Press
Published: 10/06/2016
ISBN: 9780971635210
Pages: 232
Weight: 0.76lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.53d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 02/01/2017 pg. 178
Publishers Weekly 10/02/2017
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 23087736684

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 5 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
R
Verified Purchase
Richard
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
like it
Special Size: 19" Capri without Pockets, Size: X-Large, Color: Navy
like it
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2026
T
Verified Purchase
The Kindler
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 3
Nice leggings......but
Special Size: 19" Capri without Pockets, Size: Small, Color: Taupe
So, I bought two pairs on sale....one in navy and the other in taupe. Both pairs have a streak mark on the same side, same exact area. I'm on the fence about returning them but I did get them on sale and if the mark doesn't come out in the wash, I can't really wear the in public unless I wear something long to cover the upper thigh area. They fit great and are very comfortable but then there is that unsightly mark. For reference, I am just under 5'0, 105 lbs and bought size small. I will have a think about it the next few days about returning them...or not.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2025
T
Tim and Emily
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 4
Runs large
Size: 5-6 Years, Color: Purple
This tennis dress does run a bit large, so I’d keep that in mind when ordering. I was also disappointed to realize the shorts underneath are not actually attached, since I expected more of a built-in skort style. The dress itself is cute though and the color is very pretty.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026
F
Frequent AMZ customer
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
cute tennis dress!
Size: 7-8 Years, Color: Purple, Size: 7-8 Years, Color: Purple
This is such a cute outfit. It has been an instant hit with a 7-year-old who loves to match her outfits. This tennis dress comes with matching shorts underneath. It is a sporty, shorter dress, so the shorts are needed. It fits very comfortably and looks and feels like active wear. The fabric and the cut are good quality. It also fits true to size for someone slightly over 4 feet tall. We are not using this for playing actual tennis, but the style and design definitely match the classic tennis outfit look. Still, this can just as easily be worn to school or on play dates, or simply playing around the house.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2026
J
J. Polk
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 4
Great Color and Stylish Activewear
Size: 5-6 Years, Color: Purple, Size: 5-6 Years, Color: Purple
This girls’ tennis and golf dress stands out with a really great color and a stylish, sporty look. The fabric feels lightweight and breathable, which should be great for active movement and staying comfortable. I like that it includes built-in shorts with pockets, adding both coverage and convenience. The racerback design and fitted cut give it a modern, athletic style that’s perfect for sports or even casual wear. It seems well thought out for both performance and everyday use. Overall, a cute and functional outfit that’s both practical and stylish.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2026

recommand products