Iconic

Through the genres of film, literature, music, and politics, Johnson highlights the skill with which black female iconic figures navigate successfully through the mire of stereotypical images that seek habitually to destroy them. Demonstrating that the strong black woman iconography can have both positive and negative consequences, this work provides a much needed intervention into discourses concerning black womanhood, race and representation.

~Kimberly Nichele Brown, author of Writing the Black Revolutionary Diva: Women's Subjectivity and the Decolonizing Text

A timely and accessible interdisciplinary work on the politics implicit in representations of black 'revolutionary' women in the media—Johnson's Iconic enhances the contemporary critical exploration of politicized black women and those operating in the glare of the political spotlight. Her lively readings of Angela Davis, Michelle Obama, and Erykah Badu, among others, will be very useful for scholars in several fields, including African American cultural studies, gender and sexuality studies, and media studies.

~Stephane Dunn, author of Baad Bitches & Sassy Supermamas: Black Power Action Films

An amazing thought provoking read which forces you to think outside the box. Must read for anyone wanting to open their minds to the political value of African American women.

~Vine Voice

... insightful.... [Johnson] does a masterful job of demonstrating how revolutionary black women have miraculously maintained control of their images in the face of a flood of negative characterizations.

~Kam Williams

Iconic reminds us that black women have always risen above it all and will continue to rise.

~Tracey Ross, Racialicious

...I would suggest educators consider this book as recommended reading for any course that addresses issues of oppression and/or women, even if the course was offered in a seminary.

~Jacquelina Dyer, Africanus Journal