Description

Named one of the best books of 2024 by Smithsonian, Kirkus, Chicago Review of Books, Emancipator, and Ms. Magazine, We Refuse presents a compelling and deeply researched exploration of Black resistance to white supremacy. Historian Kellie Carter Jackson challenges the common narrative that reduces this struggle to a simple choice between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s philosophy of nonviolence and Malcolm X’s call for action “by any means necessary.” Instead, she reveals a far more complex and varied history of Black resistance, with a particular focus on the often-overlooked contributions of Black women.

The rejection of Black resistance—especially when forceful—as illegitimate is itself a symptom of white supremacy, distracting from the persistent and systemic violence of racism. Carter Jackson examines the many ways Black people have fought for freedom and justice, from labor strikes and property destruction to outright rebellion. But resistance is not limited to physical confrontation. Acts of defiance also include finding joy in the face of oppression, reclaiming dignity, and even choosing to walk away from systems designed to subjugate.

Both unflinching and hopeful, We Refuse challenges widely accepted historical narratives, honors the resilience of Black communities, and offers a powerful vision for liberation.