Oakton professor chronicles activist's life

Peter Hudis, professor of humanities and philosophy at Oakton Community College, provides a critical biography of a noted 20th century psychiatrist, philosopher, diplomat and activist in a book recently released by Pluto Press.

In "Frantz Fanon: Philosopher of the Barricades," Hudis examines the Martinique native's life, from his upbringing to his efforts to fuse psychoanalysis with philosophy. Hudis argues that Fanon's writing speaks directly to today's struggles against racism and alienation.

The book is part of a series, Revolutionary Lives, that features short, analytic profiles of seminal figures throughout history.

"There have been many books written on Fanon (1926-1961), one of the foremost intellects of the 20th century," said Hudis. "However, I wanted to show how most of his beliefs evolved and were connected. Fanon particularly looked at racism and tried to address whether it is permanent or could be changed."

Recently published, "Frantz Fanon: Philosopher of the Barricades" is already receiving praise in academic circles.

"'Frantz Fanon: Philosopher of the Barricades' is a lively and provocative reading of Fanon's life and work that challenges many of the more recent interpretations of this major Africana figure," says Paget Henry, professor of Africana studies and sociology at Brown University.

"This is very good reading for the time of growing inequality that we are passing through."

Hudis, a resident of Chicago, began teaching part-time at Oakton in 2003 and started full-time in 2012. He also is the author of "Marx's Concept of the Alternative to Capitalism." Hudis earned his doctorate and master's degrees in philosophy from Loyola University, Chicago, and received his bachelor's degree in both English and history from Queens College, New York.