Transforming Feminist Practice: Non-Violence, Social Justice and the Possibilities of a Spiritualized Feminism

by Leela Fernandes

Cultural Writing. Leela Fernandes' years of teaching women's studies courses at Rutgers-where she has seen frustration, paralysis and depression take hold of young students grappling with the hard realities of social activism-led her to examine the state of contemporary feminism and social justice movements. The result is an accessible social critique that goes directly to the heart of the issues. TRANSFORMING FEMINIST PRACTICE takes a hard, unrelenting look at social justice organizations, academia, and identity politics, refocusing the struggle and opening a dialogue for a new era.

Genres: Feminism, Social Justice, Nonfiction

148 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jessica]

For some reason this book is difficult for me to recall, but the information is transformative. Perhaps Fernandes packs so much in this short work that my head begins to spin with radical possibilities and the words fall out through my ears. I have read it twice and would like to read it again. Fernandes's discussion of spiritualized politics, decolonizing spirituality, and rethinking identity toward what Gloria Anzaldúa calls "planetary citizenship" are changing Women's Studies at its core. Love.

[Hillary]

In Leela Fernandes’s 2003 book, Transforming Feminist Practice: Non-violence, social justice and the possibilities of a spiritualized feminism the author presents an inspiring and intimidating perspective on what is needed in activist work today. Inspiring because she paints a vision of a movement for social justice that is humble and egalitarian from its leadership to the everyday practices and the mindset of every individual. Intimidating because she takes the ambitious stand that social movements cannot work until every individual is working toward a spiritual posture of disidentification. This approach of spirituality is meant to show us how possible it is to transform the challenges of the intractable system of today. But it leaves me not knowing how even to begin to plan for an entire organization that practices this deep commitment to spirituality, let alone a large-scale social transformation. Except to start with my own work.

[Claudia]

Truly such a thought provoking, life changing book. So much food for thought and deep work.

[Kim Sandve]

i did not like. granted, this was for a class, part of the reason i Could Not read it without wanting to Die.

[Jessica]

One of my all-time favorite books!

[missy jean]

SO, SO GOOD. So precisely what I needed just now.