📖 Overview
C. Riley Snorton is a scholar and author who specializes in Black Studies, Gender Studies, and Transgender Studies. He serves as Professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Chicago and has previously held faculty positions at Cornell University and Northwestern University.
Snorton's most influential work is "Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity" (2017), which examines the intersections of blackness and trans identity from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. The book received multiple academic awards including the Lambda Literary Award for Transgender Nonfiction and the John Boswell Prize from the American Historical Association.
His research focuses on historical and contemporary articulations of gender and race, particularly in media, performance, and medicine. His other notable publications include "Nobody Is Supposed to Know: Black Sexuality on the Down Low" (2014), which explores media representations of Black sexuality.
Snorton's work regularly appears in academic journals and anthologies focused on gender studies, African American studies, and queer theory. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Communication and Certificate in Africana Studies.
👀 Reviews
Readers highlight Snorton's detailed research and innovative analysis in "Black on Both Sides," with academics and students citing its contributions to transgender studies and Black history. Many reviewers note the book's academic density requires careful reading.
What readers liked:
- Thorough historical documentation
- Links between racial and gender theories
- Original archival research
- Clear connections between historical and contemporary issues
What readers disliked:
- Dense academic language limits accessibility
- Some sections require specialized knowledge
- Complex theoretical frameworks can be challenging to follow
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings)
One reader noted: "This text revolutionized how I understand the relationship between Blackness and transness." Another commented: "The academic language made it difficult to get through, though the content is valuable."
"Nobody Is Supposed to Know" receives similar feedback, with readers praising its analysis while noting its academic complexity.
📚 Books by C. Riley Snorton
Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity (2017)
Examines the intersections of blackness and trans identity from the mid-nineteenth century to present-day, analyzing historical archives, performance art, film, television, and literature.
Nobody Is Supposed to Know: Black Sexuality on the Down Low (2014) Analyzes media representations and public discourse about Black men "on the down low," investigating how this phenomenon has shaped discussions about race, gender, and sexuality in American culture.
Trapped in the System: The Experiences of Black Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People in Prison and Detention (2018) Documents the experiences of incarcerated Black trans and gender non-conforming individuals through personal narratives and institutional analysis.
Satured: Notes on Trans Visibility in the Digital Age (2020) Investigates how digital media and technology influence contemporary trans representation and identity formation, with particular focus on race and class dynamics.
Nobody Is Supposed to Know: Black Sexuality on the Down Low (2014) Analyzes media representations and public discourse about Black men "on the down low," investigating how this phenomenon has shaped discussions about race, gender, and sexuality in American culture.
Trapped in the System: The Experiences of Black Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People in Prison and Detention (2018) Documents the experiences of incarcerated Black trans and gender non-conforming individuals through personal narratives and institutional analysis.
Satured: Notes on Trans Visibility in the Digital Age (2020) Investigates how digital media and technology influence contemporary trans representation and identity formation, with particular focus on race and class dynamics.
👥 Similar authors
Christina Sharpe writes about Black studies, visual culture, and the lasting impacts of slavery. Her work "In the Wake: On Blackness and Being" examines similar themes to Snorton regarding Black identity and embodiment.
Kai M. Green focuses on Black transgender studies and queer theory through an intersectional lens. His scholarship connects transgender studies with Black feminist thought and cultural analysis.
Susan Stryker produces foundational work in transgender history and theory. Her research investigates medical discourse, embodiment, and the development of trans studies as a field.
Daphne Brooks examines performance studies, Black feminist theory, and cultural criticism. Her writing explores how marginalized bodies and identities navigate cultural spaces and create meaning.
Siobhan Somerville studies the intersection of race and sexuality in American literature and culture. Her work traces historical connections between racial formation and sexual identity categories.
Kai M. Green focuses on Black transgender studies and queer theory through an intersectional lens. His scholarship connects transgender studies with Black feminist thought and cultural analysis.
Susan Stryker produces foundational work in transgender history and theory. Her research investigates medical discourse, embodiment, and the development of trans studies as a field.
Daphne Brooks examines performance studies, Black feminist theory, and cultural criticism. Her writing explores how marginalized bodies and identities navigate cultural spaces and create meaning.
Siobhan Somerville studies the intersection of race and sexuality in American literature and culture. Her work traces historical connections between racial formation and sexual identity categories.