Creolizing Marcuse

Creolizing Marcuse explores the intersections between Herbert Marcuse's critical theory and Africana and Caribbean theory, revealing the potential for a dynamic interplay of ideas to understand and address contemporary social, political, and ecological challenges amid material, historical realities.

Creolizing Marcuse bridges the gap between traditional interpretations of Herbert Marcuse and Caribbean/Africana theory. It challenges the rigid boundaries often found in Marcusean scholarship, especially those shaped by ideas of purity and scarcity, both historically and in current debates. Rather than simplifying Marcuse’s theory, this book embraces its complexity to offer new insights into contemporary discussions on freedom, reciprocity, liberation, oppression, repression, and object relations theory. Creolizing Marcuse moves beyond producing static theoretical frameworks, instead urging decolonial, anti-racist, feminist, and queer scholars to actively incorporate Marcuse’s ideas into evolving, practical approaches to difference and social justice. The book calls for theorists, activists, and scholar-activists alike to engage in ongoing, dynamic practices that resist standing still.

Contributors: Jake Bartholomew, Jina Fast, Stefan Gandler, Craig Leonard, Nicole K. Mayberry, Ricardo J. Millhouse, Yiamar Rivera-Matos, Sid Simpson, Dave Suell, Margath Walker, and Stacey-Ann Wilson.