A review by frances_frances
Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change by Angela Garbes

hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.75

This book isn't perfect. There were several times I wanted Garbes to go deeper and challenge herself a bit more. I wish there was more meaningful discussions of parenting while disabled and raising disabled children. I wish Garbes talked more about action, not just theory. I wish she more meaningfully discussed resource disparity and the ways in which community-building can be inaccessible to those living in poverty and spending every available moment simply trying to survive. 

All that being said, I enjoyed hearing about Garbes's personal history and growth. And I think this book could serve as an entry point for readers unfamiliar with anti-capitalist politics or the politics of care work. The language is accessible and she references some great BIPoC scholars and activists that hopefully will inspire further reading, learning, and unlearning.