Title: The truth that never hurts
First published: 1998
Description: The Truth That Never Hurts: Writings on Race, Gender, and Freedom brings together more than two decades of literary criticism and political thought about gender, race, sexuality, power, and social change. As one of the first writers in the United States to claim black feminism for black women, Barbara Smith has done groundbreaking work in defining black women’s literary traditions and in making connections between race, class, sexuality, and gender.

Smith’s essay “Toward a Black Feminist Criticism,” is often cited as a major catalyst in opening the field of black women’s literature. Pieces about racism in the women’s movement, black and Jewish relations, and homophobia in the Black community have ignited dialogue about topics that few other writers address. The collection also brings together topical political commentaries on the 1968 Chicago convention demonstrations; attacks on the NEA; the Anita Hill–Clarence Thomas Senate hearings; and police brutality against Rodney King and Abner Louima. It also includes a never-before-published personal essay on racial violence and the bonds between black women that make it possible to survive.
Subjects: Race relations, African American authors, Lesbian feminism, Intellectual life, Civil rights, History and criticism, American literature, Racism, Lesbians, African American women, African American lesbians, African American women authors, Schriftstellerin, Lesbische liefde, University of South Alabama, Feministische literatuurkritiek, Feminismus, Bürgerrecht, Lesbische Liebe, Aufsatzsammlung, Negers, Weibliche Schwarze, Feminism, Feminist literary criticism, United states, race relations, African americans, civil rights, LGBTQ essays, Stonewall Book Awards, LGBTQ anthropology
Places: United States
People: Barbara Smith (1946-)
LC classification: E185.86 .S635 1998