Why We Write: The Politics and Practice of Writing for Social Change [Paperback]

Jim Downs is in the Department of History at Columbia University. He is co-editor of Taking Back the Academy! History of Activism, History as Activism (Routledge 2004).Why We Write provides a forum for scholars, activists, and novelists to reflect on the ways in which they use their writing and academic work to create social change. This volume uncovers the political agendas, social missions, and personal and professional experiences that compel writers to bring their stories to the page. Why We Write examines the dual commitment of writing articles and books that are committed to high scholarly standards as well as social justice. These essays will be of great interest to college and graduate students who currently lack a model of social justice scholarship.Introduction: When and Why We Enter JIM DOWNS Section I Why I Write: Personal Reflections Chapter 1. Why I Write JOHN D'EMILIO Chapter 2. Why I Write CATHERINE CLINTON Chapter 3. Why I Write TIMOTHY PATRICK MCCARTHY Chapter 4. Why I Write JENNIFER MORGAN Section II The Process of Writing Chapter 5. Disoriented in the Orient: A U.S. Historian Goes Transnational JUNG H. PAK Chapter 6. Narratives of Sexual Conquest: A Historical Perspective on Date Rape JENNIFER FRONC Chapter 7. Her Heart, My Hands: Writing an Intimate Life CAITLIN LOVE CROWELL Chapter 8. Writing for History: Journalism, History, and the Revival of Narrative JILL LEPORE Chapter 9. We Should Grow Too Fond of It' Why We Love the Civil War DREW GILPIN FAUST Section III The Politics of Writing Chapter 10. Our Silences Will Hurt Us: Journalistic Writing in a Women's Prison ELEANOR M. NOVEK AND REBECCA SANFORD Chapter 11. To Keep My Body Clean, To Breathe, To Give My Mind Rest SASHA KAMINI PARMASAD Chapter 12. Diary of a Mad Law Student JODI BROMBERG Chapter 13. A Drawbridge to the Ivory Tower: Brokering the Politics of Environmental Studies DANIEL J. SHERMAN ChalÓ.