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The practical ethics of Johnnetta Betsch Cole: The life of a Black feminist anthropologist
Author(s) -
Williams Erica L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
feminist anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2643-7961
DOI - 10.1002/fea2.12006
Subject(s) - sociology , praxis , institution , corporatization , gender studies , kinship , feminist ethics , social science , anthropology , law , political science
In the Summer of 2018 I was honored to interview Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole at the Democratizing Knowledge Summer Institute held at Spelman College. This candid conversation is a testament to Dr. Cole's black feminist praxis – to her commitment to “living a feminist life” (Ahmed 2017). It also reveals how her myriad life experiences ‐ her praxis as a scholar, a mentor, a mother, a descendant of notable ancestors, an institution builder, and more – have shaped her practical ethics. Dr. Cole's personal and professional journeys show us what it means to enact and uphold feminist practices in kinship, mentoring, research, relationship‐building, as well as institution‐building. This interview offers an opportunity to reflect on the insights and wisdom that Dr. Cole has to offer a new generation of engaged black feminist anthropologists in a time of increasing neoliberalization and corporatization of the academy.