Constellations of Care
Anarcha-Feminism in Practice
The world we dream of is already here
What do we do when the state has abandoned us? From failing health systems to housing crises to cascading ecological collapse, it's increasingly evident that state-centred politics do not protect us from the violence of colonialism and capitalism, fascism and patriarchy. In fact, they actively work to harm us.
Anarchist feminism—or anarcha-feminism—shows us that the ways we tend to our social relations can build a new world inside the old one. We can take care of each other when nothing else will, supplying communal well-being and liberatory horizons.
From communitarian kitchens to medic collectives, squatted social centres to queer theater troupes, Ljubljana to Mexico City, Constellations of Care powerfully underscores that we already have everything we need and desire in one another to carve out lives worth living.
Cindy Barukh Milstein is a diasporic queer Jewish anarchist and longtime organizer. They've been writing on anarchism for over two decades, and are the author of Anarchism and Its Aspirations and Try Anarchism for Life: The Beauty of Our Circle. They edited the anthologies Rebellious Mourning: The Collective Work of Grief and Deciding for Ourselves: The Promise of Direct Democracy, among others.
'Cindy Barukh Milstein's anthology is care and mutual learning in action. The stories gathered here embrace complexity and challenge, but also hope for new ways forward. This work is nothing less than a transformation.'
- Kes Otter Lieffe, author of the 'Margins' trilogy'Constellations of Care brings together all kinds of veterans of liberatory experiments in comradeship and kin-making, providing valuable insight into obstacles and defeats as well as tales of abundant love saplings, spores, and cuttings for everyone to propagate and grow.'
- Sophie Lewis, author of 'Abolish the Family: A Manifesto for Care and Liberation''Milstein has beautifully woven together an anthology that helps orient us toward care and co-making worlds that shine bright. Constellation's powerful, vulnerable contributions are like embers, lighting up pathways to keep us rooted in life while centering resistance and love.'
- carla joy bergman, editor of 'Trust Kids!: Stories on Youth Autonomy and Confronting Adult Supremacy''With rare candor and rigorous insight, Cindy Barukh Milstein's anthologies offer the conversations we need to sustain the communal possibility of anarchist, feminist, and queer world-making in the ruins of everyday brutality.'
- Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, author of 'Touching the Art''An antidote to the commodification of care, Constellations brings together a multiplicity of voices on the subject, in an approach that makes visible the intentionality and diversity of care practices.'
- Sundus Abdul Hadi, author of 'Take Care of Your Self: The Art and Cultures of Care and Liberation''This anthology is like a flower under the rubble insisting on life. It's a window into the beautiful, diverse, and practical world of anarcha-feminism, meaningfully woven from the collective, colorful, courageous threads of believers in a radically free lifenow.'
- Dilar Dirik, author of 'The Kurdish Women's Movement: History, Theory, Practice''A beautiful gift to communities of freedom-minded people, offering a glimpse into many worlds of possibility. Across the many authors and experiences represented, deeply resonating themes of nurturing love and fierce resilience intertwine in a tapestry of hope.'
- Kai Cheng Thom, author of 'Falling Back in Love with Being Human''Constellations is balm on a collective wound, with each essay offering validation and relief. The feminist world-building illuminated in this collection is heartening and hope giving, providing a mercurial map toward the radical relationality we need to sustain us.'
- Raechel Anne Jolie, author of 'Rust Belt Femme'Prologue: Constellations of Care - Cindy Barukh Milstein
1. The Collective as a Crucial Form - Tahel Axel, Elias Lowe, Ami Weintraub, Leo Williamson-Rea, and Flip Zang
2. Our Affinity Is Our Manifesto - Mexico City–based feminist-anarchist affinity group in conversation with and translated by Scott Campbell
3. Tea, Books, and Thresholds - Corinne, Aurore, Éris, and Tom
4. Unsanctioned Sanctuaries: A Cross-Continental Exchange - Libertie Valance and Xela De La X
5. Tarps and Gossip: Existing as Resisting - Raani Begum
6. Brown Girl Rise: How We Take Care of Our Own - claire barrera
7. Colectiva Mujeres Subversivas: In Solidarity and Friendship - Lora Galora
8. Pink Peacock: Lavishly Accessible - Moishe Holleb in conversation with Alice Ross
9. Solidarity Apothecary: Reclaiming Life - Nicole Rose
10. North Star Health Collective: Tending to the Sparks - Mags Beall and Cory Maria Dack
11. Stitching Together Other Worlds - Cindy Barukh Milstein
12. Illustrating Anarcha-Feminism - Addy, Ali Cat, Aman, Andrea Narno, Anouk Kuona, Bree Busk, Erre, Feminist Collages PGH, Kill Joy, N.O. Bonzo, Rayan, Roan Boucher, Sugarbombing World, and Zola
13. Remembrance and Subversive Bodies in Motion - Bree Busk
14. Shakesqueer Tucson: Performing Anarcho-Feminism - Wren Awry
15. Communitarian Kitchens: Stoking the Flames of Memory and Rebellion - Vilma Rocío Almendra Quiguanás, translated by Scott Campbell
16. Supporting the Revolution, One Stew at a Time - Aleh Stankova and Fenya Fischler
17. An Experiment in Addressing Intraorganizational Violence - Benji Hart
18. Collectively Funding Abortion - Bayla (aka Bay) Ostrach
19. Abortion without Borders - Megan McGee
20. Transition and Autonomy - Scott/Shuli Branson
21. Movement Midwifery - Vicky Osterweil
22. How We Persisted as a New Anarcha Group in ljubljana - črne mačke
23. Do You Feel the Same? - Vilja Saarinen
eBook ISBN: 9780745349961
140mm x 216mm