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53 pages 1 hour read

Alicia Garza

The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2020

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Index of Terms

Hegemony

Hegemony (also called cultural hegemony) is a term coined by Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci to illustrate how ruling classes use culture as a tool of control. Along with using force, people who wield power can, over time, manufacture consent by shifting people’s perception of what constitutes common sense. Garza notes that movements must put effort into effecting change within both the cultural and political spheres.

Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a tool that teaches people how power operates. It highlights existing unequal power dynamics and encourages intersectional organizations to find ways to evenly distribute power, ensuring “no one is left behind” (145). It is different from diversity—which is about including various groups—and representation—which is about representing marginalized groups.

Movement

Movements are the result of people and organizations coming together to fight for a collective vision. To be successful, they require the backup of organizations and a large base of dedicated members. Garza describes them as waves, perpetually ebbing and flowing with no clear beginning or end. They are the efforts of previous generations and are essential for survival.

Patriarchy

The patriarchy is a system of power based on the valuation of men and male-bodied people at the expense of the rest. It concentrates power within a select group and devalues the rights and dignity of those who identify as women. As a result, the accomplishments of women are often misattributed to men, female leadership can be scarce even within progressive movements, and women’s voices often go unheard. The patriarchy is often directly intertwined with racial inequality, leaving Black women to shoulder a disproportionate burden compared to others within their communities.

Political Education

Garza defines political education as “a tool for understanding the political contexts we live in” (210). Organizations are most effective when they use political education to highlight unequal power dynamics and reach a wider audience.

Popular Front

Popular fronts are alliances between organizations who might have diverging politics but who stand together on specific policies. They have the advantage of galvanizing large groups and being incredibly powerful, but their differing visions may cause tension among members. Compared to unified fronts, popular fronts are more prone to being short-lived.

Power

Power is defined as “the ability to impact and affect the conditions of your own life and the lives of others” (66). In American society, power is divided unequally, most of it concentrated in the hands of white communities, especially white men, at the expense of all others. Garza differentiates power from empowerment, the feeling of self-confidence. Change cannot happen without power.

United Front

United fronts are alliances between organizations whose politics are closely aligned. Garza argues that they allow their members to dream of a collective future but have the drawback of being often contained to relatively small groups. United fronts tend to focus on long-term goals, compared to popular fronts, which often emerge in response to urgent issues.

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