PDF Making Freedom: The Underground Railroad and the Politics of Slavery (The Steven and Janice Brose Lectures in the Civil War Era) by R. J. M. Blackett in History

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From the civil rights and Black Power era of the 1960s through antiapartheid activism in the 1980s and beyond; black women have used their clothing; hair; and style not simply as a fashion statement but as a powerful tool of resistance. Whether using stiletto heels as weapons to protect against police attacks or incorporating African-themed designs into everyday wear; these fashion-forward women celebrated their identities and pushed for equality.In this thought-provoking book; Tanisha C. Ford explores how and why black women in places as far-flung as New York City; Atlanta; London; and Johannesburg incorporated style and beauty culture into their activism. Focusing on the emergence of the "soul style" movement—represented in clothing; jewelry; hairstyles; and more—Liberated Threads shows that black women's fashion choices became galvanizing symbols of gender and political liberation. Drawing from an eclectic archive; Ford offers a new way of studying how black style and Soul Power moved beyond national boundaries; sparking a global fashion phenomenon. Following celebrities; models; college students; and everyday women as they moved through fashion boutiques; beauty salons; and record stores; Ford narrates the fascinating intertwining histories of Black Freedom and fashion.