New Books Network Ashley D. Farmer, "Queen Mother: Black Nationalism, Reparations, and the Untold Story of Audley Moore" (Pantheon, 2025)
Oct 25, 2025
Ashley D. Farmer, a historian and author, delves into the life of Audley Moore, an unsung hero of Black nationalism and reparations. She reveals how Moore's legacy has been overshadowed by more famous figures and discusses the archival challenges she faced in documenting Moore's impactful life. Farmer highlights the strategic flexibility Moore employed in her activism, emphasizing her role as a foundational figure in the movement and the importance of women's leadership. The conversation also touches on Farmer's future research on FBI surveillance of Black women.
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Garvey Meeting That Changed Her Life
- Audley Moore recalled carrying a gun in her bra and her husband carrying bullets to a Marcus Garvey meeting in 1920s Louisiana.
- That moment transformed her belief in Black dignity and propelled her into lifelong activism.
FBI Files As An Unintended Archive
- Moore left few traditional papers and was surveilled extensively, making her FBI file one of the most complete records of her life.
- Ashley Farmer used FBI surveillance files as a central archival resource while acknowledging ethical complications.
Why Moore Was Missing From Archives
- Moore defied archival norms because she lived across eras, had limited formal education, and kept few written records.
- Those qualities made her hard to categorize and left her outside traditional historical canons.
