Eloquent Rage

A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower

By: Brittney Cooper

Narrated by: Brittney Cooper

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

With searing honesty, intimacy, and humor too, America's leading young Black feminist celebrates the power of rage in this piercing new audiobook. 

So what if it's true that Black women are mad as hell? They have the right to be. In the Black feminist tradition of Audre Lorde, Brittney Cooper reminds us that anger is a powerful source of energy that can give us the strength to keep on fighting. 

Far too often, Black women's anger has been caricatured into an ugly and destructive force that threatens the civility and social fabric of American democracy. But Cooper shows us that there is more to the story than that. Black women's eloquent rage is what makes Serena Williams such a powerful tennis player. It's what makes Beyoncé's girl power anthems resonate so hard. It's what makes Michelle Obama an icon. Eloquent rage keeps us all honest and accountable. It reminds women that they don't have to settle for less. 

When Cooper learned of her grandmother's eloquent rage about love, sex, and marriage in an epic and hilarious front-porch confrontation, her life was changed. And it took another intervention, this time staged by one of her homegirls, to turn Brittney into the fierce feminist she is today. In Brittney Cooper's world, neither mean girls nor f--kboys ever win. But homegirls emerge as heroes. This audiobook argues that ultimately feminism, friendship, and faith in one's own superpowers are all we really need to turn things right side up again. 

©2018 Brittney Cooper (P)2018 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"I was waiting for an author who wouldn't forget, ignore, or erase us black girls as they told their own story...I was waiting and she has come - in Brittney Cooper." (Melissa Harris Perry)

"Cooper may be the boldest young feminist writing today. Her critique is sharp, her love of Black people and Black culture is deep, and she will make you laugh out loud." (Michael Eric Dyson)

"Brittney Cooper is the Black Feminist Prophet we urgently need." (Mychal Denzel Smith)

"...Cooper delivers a frank, conversational-style examination of the importance of black female friendships, respectability politics, and harmful stereotypes, among other topics. She blends candor and humor as she roots out toxic behaviors and beliefs we use in America to tear ourselves and each other down, while also offering paths forward. Listeners learn how rage, aimed with fine-tuned focus and purpose, can help build up black women's lives and society overall." (AudioFile Magazine)

🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Eloquent AF

Can I just say I stan for Brittney Cooper!!!! I remember reading her articles from the Crunk Feminist Collective like this girl gets me. How did she know I was feeling this way? I pre-ordered the book a while ago and was so excited when I got an email saying that my book was ready for download. As a grad student with not much time to read, the audiobook was the next best thing because I can listen while on my way to class and work. Let me just say this book had me on an emotional rollercoaster. I cried, I smiled, I had a come to Jesus moment and I can honestly say it was exactly what I needed to push through with my studies this semester. Having been on a high first semester, second semester has been low, but this book has inspired me to keep pushing. Brittney thank you for the benediction. I can now go forward with JOY! 🙌🏾✊🏾

Like an arrow straight through my feminist heart

Yassss! Such an enjoyable read. SO much knowledge here. My feminist heart couldn’t get enough. She takes you on a journey with such honesty and teaches with no judgment.

As a woman, this book spoke to my heart.
As a white person, it helped me understand some things. And isn’t that what life is about? To learn...

Maybe I’m a dreamer or I may be naive but I believe people would feel more connected if we all listened to each other more.
And men need to listen to women more.

This was a gift from beginning to end and I highly recommend it to all women and those who love women.

Thank you BC for the laughter, tears and education I received reading this amazing book.

Much needed

Dr. Cooper's personal accounts paired with modern black feminist theory clarified my understanding and nourished my spirit. I now have language for concepts I've been thinking about and discussing, but grappling to properly name. There are points at which I have a different perspective, but I appreciate those areas of the book just as much for challenging me to think critically about my perspective. Thank you for sharing yourself in manner that brings theory into reality.

Yes, Brittney.

This book was smart, honest, tragic, and inspiring. It was everything I needed it to be. I'll be recommending it to all of my friends.

Bad ass!

Brittney Cooper is a master at blending real talk with academic research. She theorizes about power and gives tools to break down power but then challenges readers to build something great in response. I felt inspired, maddened, enraged, sad, comforted, and empowered after reading this book. I really just want to high five her for this masterpiece

A transformative, powerful MUST LISTEN

The wit, the incisive analysis, the relentless truths, and the pure honesty of this narrative makes this a must read for all Americans, especially those who want to see an America where everyone can thrive.

Great read - all men should

Loved it - me thinks this deserves All About Love Bell-Hooks and Patricia Hill Collins - Intersectionality status. I realize I need to work on my black feminist solidarity and co-conspiratorship and examine if not entirely dismantle my black male patriarchy and privilege both at home and globally. More work to do....

Great fast read... raw authentic and eloquent.

Powerful!

Dr. Cooper tells a powerful personal story that has the common sense of a much older woman. I read the book and listened to it, she reads beautifully. Strong and without apology. I gave this book high marks because Dr. Cooper gave me a lot to ponder. I feel I will come back to this book again.

It is as if she was narrating my life

From her struggles as the smart Black girl accused of "acting white" to her current day take on feminism and intersectionality, this was the book I needed to know that I'm not alone.

My only critique is that it ended

In my opinion, a great book causes you to feel several different emotions and evokes action. This book without a doubt does both of those things and so much more! I am a better person for having read it!

Powerful

I really connected with Brittany Cooper; she writes and narrates in a way that really enables her readers to grasp complex and painful everyday lived experiences that have shaped my own life. Highly recommend

Incredible read

I loved how she brought us into her world! I could relate in so many ways. As black women we face many challenges in this world but we posses undeniable excellence, talent and tenacity to say the least. The book reaffirms for me the power of my Blackness and the authenticity of my truth. I will continue to strive for greatness, it’s my birthright. Thank you Brittany xx

Relevant and engaging

An interesting and engaging woman sharing her observations of the world, and of racism and sexism in particular.

I especially enjoyed hearing her observations of the classic theorists (Hill, Du Bois, etc), and how she applies them to the present day.

New activist you should know, period.

Every modern historic preservation needs a narrator who is part of the timeline, and this account was spot on for me, yes me. May not fit everyone's visual factual scenes of USA, but I acknowledge it holds many of the same scenes in the UK. A wonderful audio, that would not,once again for me, not been accessible in written form.

Delivers on the title promise.

Thank you Dr. Cooper for penning, with full range, the justification of my position as a Black woman.

thank you!

I listened whilst I cleaned houses.
And I felt comforted, electrified, moved and tooled up to understand more, feel more, and rage in solidarity more. Funny, poignant, scarily honest - a look-you-in-the-eyes kind of book, the passion and care of the author comes across throughout.

Essential essays

I couldn’t tear myself away from this steady stream of revelatory truth bombs, intriguing insight, and accessible braininess — made all the more powerful by the author’s narration. Everybody in America and elsewhere needs to read or hear this book, but since they won’t, and you’re the one here on this page considering it, do the world and yourself a favor and click “add to cart.”

A Must READ!

This is such a required reading for every and all human trying to navigate the rage we feel towards a system that we don't fully comprehend.