Why Does No One Recommend Reading Black Anarchist Thinkers

In conversations around politics, revolution, and social change, the term “anarchism” often brings to mind white, European thinkers like Mikhail Bakunin or Emma Goldman. But there’s an entire dimension of anarchism that remains largely invisible—Black anarchist thinkers.

These writers and activists offer advanced and nuanced critiques of society that challenge dominant ideologies in ways that are crucial today. Yet, when it comes to suggested reading lists, recommendations, or discussions,

Black anarchism is almost entirely absent. Why does no one recommend reading Black anarchists? The answer lies at the intersection of race, power, and the way narratives around revolution are constructed.

This article explores the systemic neglect of Black anarchist voices, their invaluable contributions to both anarchism and broader political thought, and why understanding this omission is critical in today’s social and political landscape.

A Neglected Dimension of Anarchism

Anarchism is a political philosophy that advocates for the abolition of hierarchical structures, particularly the state. But Black anarchism goes deeper, merging anti-capitalism with the struggle against racism. Black anarchist thought critiques not only the state but also the ways that racial oppression is intertwined with capitalism and state power.

One of the reasons Black anarchism is overlooked is because of how deeply intertwined racial narratives are with mainstream political discourse. Black anarchists provide a radical critique not only of white supremacy but also of capitalism and the state’s role in perpetuating inequality.

The unwillingness of mainstream anarchist discourse to fully engage with these complex intersections leaves Black anarchist thought marginalized.

Why the Silence?

There are several reasons why Black anarchist thinkers are not widely recommended, and these reasons go beyond a simple case of ignorance. It has to do with how narratives are controlled, whose voices are prioritized, and the discomfort that Black anarchist critiques cause in both mainstream society and among more conventional anarchists.

1. Systemic Erasure of Black Radical Thought
   Throughout history, Black thinkers have often been erased or sidelined in broader intellectual movements. This isn’t unique to anarchism—whether in feminism, socialism, or civil rights movements, Black intellectual contributions have often been downplayed or ignored. The voices of Black anarchists have similarly been pushed aside because their critiques challenge the racial status quo in ways that are uncomfortable for many to confront.
2. Misunderstanding of Black Anarchism
   There is also a lack of understanding about what Black anarchism entails. Many mistakenly conflate it with other Black liberation movements, such as Black nationalism or Black Marxism. While there is overlap in their goals of liberation from systemic oppression, Black anarchism fundamentally rejects the notion of a centralized state or a revolutionary vanguard, differing from Black nationalist thought. This distinction is important, but often misunderstood, which leads to further neglect.
3. The Radical Nature of Black Anarchism
   Black anarchism’s focus on dismantling both state power and racial oppression can feel too radical, even for those who consider themselves anarchists. Black anarchists argue that white anarchists often focus solely on class without addressing racial inequalities. This critique can feel uncomfortable, making it easier to ignore or dismiss Black anarchist contributions altogether.

Key Figures in Black Anarchism

Despite this neglect, Black anarchism is rich with thought-provoking insights. Some of the key figures include:

• Lucy Parsons: Although often claimed by anarchists, Lucy Parsons was a Black woman who defied categorization. Her writings and activism were foundational in the early anarchist movement in the U.S., even though many mainstream historians prefer to emphasize her identity as the wife of Albert Parsons, a white anarchist.
• Ashanti Alston: A former Black Panther and Black Liberation Army member, Alston combines Black revolutionary thought with anarchist ideas. He critiques both white anarchist movements for ignoring race and Black liberation movements for embracing hierarchical, state-oriented strategies.
• Lorenzo Kom’boa Ervin: Perhaps the most well-known contemporary Black anarchist, Ervin’s work includes the groundbreaking book Anarchism and the Black Revolution. In it, he argues that Black people have historically resisted both state and racial oppression, and that anarchism offers a political philosophy that aligns with this long-standing struggle.

Why Black Anarchist Thought Matters

It’s important to understand why ignoring Black anarchism is not just a matter of erasing history; it also limits the scope of revolutionary possibilities. Black anarchism offers an advanced critique that speaks directly to many of today’s most pressing issues, including systemic racism, police violence, and economic inequality.

Consider how Black anarchism critiques not just the state, but how race is used to maintain power structures. In the U.S., the state often uses racial divisions to undermine working-class solidarity.

Black anarchists, therefore, argue that any meaningful revolutionary movement must dismantle both state power and racial hierarchies simultaneously. This is a far more comprehensive critique than what is often found in mainstream anarchist thought, which can be overly focused on class without fully accounting for race.

Ignoring Black anarchism means ignoring a vast body of thought that is specifically designed to address the intersections of race, class, and power—issues that are increasingly important in today’s world.

Emotional and Psychological Impact of Marginalizing Black Anarchism

The marginalization of Black anarchist voices is not just an intellectual oversight; it also has profound emotional and psychological implications. For Black readers and activists, the absence of Black anarchist thinkers from the recommended reading lists can feel like yet another form of erasure—a message that their experiences and perspectives are not valued, even in radical spaces.

For non-Black activists, this omission creates a blind spot in their understanding of how racism and class oppression are interconnected. Without engaging with Black anarchist thought, they may unintentionally reinforce the very power structures they seek to dismantle.

By failing to recommend Black anarchist writers, even well-meaning revolutionaries contribute to a system that privileges certain voices over others.

Why You Should Read Black Anarchist Thinkers

Now that we’ve unpacked some of the reasons why Black anarchists are often ignored, let’s turn to why they’re essential reading for anyone serious about social change.

1. A Broader Critique of Power
   Black anarchists offer a critique of power that is far more comprehensive than most other political philosophies. They argue that true liberation requires dismantling both state power and racial hierarchies. This is crucial in today’s world, where racialized violence, economic inequality, and state power are increasingly intertwined.
2. Insights on Intersectionality Before It Was Mainstream
   Long before the term “intersectionality” became widely known, Black anarchists were critiquing how race, class, and power intersect. Their writings are deeply relevant to modern conversations about privilege, oppression, and the limits of traditional leftist ideologies.
3. Challenging Conventional Anarchist Thought
   For those already familiar with anarchist ideas, Black anarchism offers a challenge to conventional anarchist thought. It forces anarchists to confront the ways in which their movements have often ignored race, thereby limiting their potential for true liberation.
4. Timely Relevance
   Given the current political climate—with the rise of far-right movements, increased racial tensions, and economic inequality—Black anarchism is more relevant than ever. It provides a roadmap for understanding how these issues are interconnected and how to build movements that address them in a holistic way.

The Cultural Relevance of Black Anarchism

Black anarchism isn’t just a theoretical framework; it has practical implications for how we organize, resist, and create change. As we see movements like Black Lives Matter and broader calls for racial justice grow, Black anarchist principles of decentralized organizing, mutual aid, and direct action are increasingly finding their way into mainstream activist circles.

Moreover, Black anarchism’s emphasis on resisting both state and racial oppression is particularly relevant in societies where the state itself is a key perpetrator of racial violence.

For example, the U.S. criminal justice system disproportionately targets Black people, creating a pipeline from marginalized communities to prisons. Black anarchists argue that reforms are not enough; the entire system must be dismantled and replaced with something more just.

The Urgent Need to Engage with Black Anarchist Thought

The absence of Black anarchist voices from mainstream political discourse is not just an oversight; it’s a reflection of the very systems of power that Black anarchism seeks to dismantle. By ignoring Black anarchist thought, we limit our understanding of how race, class, and power are interconnected. More importantly, we miss out on essential strategies for creating a more just and equitable society.

Reading Black anarchist thinkers isn’t just an intellectual exercise—it’s a necessary step in confronting the uncomfortable truths about power, race, and resistance. If we want to build movements that are truly revolutionary, we must engage with the full spectrum of anarchist thought, including the voices of Black anarchists who have long been silenced.

This is why it’s time to stop ignoring Black anarchism and start engaging with it. Not only does it provide critical insights into today’s struggles, but it also challenges us to think more deeply about what true liberation looks like.