A Bound Woman Is a Dangerous Thing: The Incarceration of African American Women from Harriet Tubman to Sandra Bland

A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing: The Incarceration of African American Women from Harriet Tubman to Sandra Bland is a collection of soul-wrenching poetry, each poem inspired by and dedicated to a black woman who was kept in captivity, whether it be by slave owners, or abusive lovers, or imprisoned, or wrestling with the ongoing issue of white supremacy. DaMaris Hill educates us about well-known women, such as Eartha Kitt, Ida B. Wells, and Harriet Tubman, while introducing us to women who were just as fierce but are less well-known like Ida Howard and Laura Williams. A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing also celebrates ways in which these women are strongly tied to their ancestors, their families, and their communities. The format is innovative: the poet provides informative and intriguing short biographies of each woman, followed by poems that evoke anger, sorrow, love, and strength. A Bound Woman is a Dangerous Thing is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn more not just about the myriad struggles of women of color, but also the always-inspiring fierceness and triumphs.