A Review:

Futures of Black Radicalism is pertinent for those who wish to see a better future. The book can be seen as an extension of Cedric Robinson’s Black Marxism. The book honors Cedric’s legacy by exploring the movement’s past, present, and future. Before picking up this book, I advise one to read Black Marxism or be well-versed in the challenges facing the Black community. Without a proper foundation, the reader will find themselves lost in esoteric ideas. The book covers a plethora of topics, from the prison industrial complex to the visionary content of Black music. 

Like many books composed of essays with multiple authors, there were highs and lows. It spanned many topics within the Black community with various writing styles. Only a couple sections seemed superfluous to me due to repetitiveness or loosely connected content. However, readers may still glean valuable insights from these essays. None of the pieces are vacuous. The collection even begins with somewhat self-critique by addressing the neoliberal turn of intellectualism. The articles exploring the similarities between the United States and the Zionist movement, racial capitalism and our global ecosystem, Black internationalism, and the concept of Black in our society are indispensable. These sections are compelling because of the documentation of the past to buttress the writings about the present. The poignant evidence underscores the need for change and action in our lives.  

With everything in mind, the areas that were informative or brought up a necessary dialogue about the state of our affairs made Futures of Black Radicalism worth the read. However, it is not imperative to read every passage. With trusting your gut, one can still learn and absorb enlightening information. There is pain, hope, anguish, trauma, and love within the stories between the covers; it can serve as a north star for those pushing for a better future.