In Defiance: Lives That Mattered in the Struggle for Racial Justice and Equality Before the U.S. Civil War

In Defiance: 20 Abolitionists You Were Never Taught in School uncovers the untold stories of individuals who risked their lives to fight enslavement, serving as a compelling call for justice and the preservation of history.

This book brings to light the often-suppressed stories of those who risked everything to end enslavement. Profiling 20 Black and white men and women, the book highlights their courage, activism, and unwavering commitment to freedom. Through vivid vignettes, including their own words, their struggles and sacrifices come to life.

Amid ongoing efforts to erase history, these stories serve as a powerful corrective--meant to challenge, inspire, and ignite action. Co-authored by Tom Weiner, a Northampton-based writer, educator, and anti-racist activist, and Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, professor and former president of the National Council for Black Studies, the book weaves their perspectives into the narrative, emphasizing the importance of learning from the past.

For fans of The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander and The Color of Abolition by Linda Hirshman, In Defiance is both a testament to those who fought for justice and an inspiration for those who continue the struggle today.

Thomas Weiner is a Northampton-based writer, educator, and anti-racism activist. He taught 3rd-6th grade at the Smith College Campus School for 40 years and middle and high school summer school for 34 years. He initiated efforts to create a Reparations Commission in Northampton, MA and has co-facilitated workshops for pre-school teachers and parents entitled, ＂Developing Healthy Boys.＂

Amilcar Shabazz is a professor in the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is the Treasurer and former President of the National Council for Black Studies. His writing has appeared in books, academic journals, and magazines. He has appeared as a commentator on contemporary and historical events and issues in a wide range of local, national, and international media. He has been a Fulbright Senior Specialist and has taught, lectured, and done scholarly work in more than twenty countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. As a member of Amherst’s African Heritage Reparations Assembly, he has guided its efforts as the second municipality in the U.S. to approve a funded process of atonement and reparative justice.