What do you think?
Rate this book
Betraying Big Brother: The Feminist Awakening in China
How the Feminist Five and the rise of China's feminist movement threatens China's authoritarian government
On the eve of International Women’s Day in 2015, the Chinese government arrested five feminist activists and jailed them for 37 days. The Feminist Five became a global cause célèbre, with Hillary Clinton speaking out on their behalf, and activists inundating social media with #FreetheFive messages. But the Feminist Five are only symbols of a much larger feminist movement of civil rights lawyers, labor activists, performance artists and online warriors that is prompting an unprecedented awakening among China’s urban, educated women. In Betraying Big Brother, journalist and scholar Leta Hong Fincher argues that the popular, broad-based movement poses the greatest threat to China’s authoritarian regime today.
Through interviews with the Feminist Five and other leading Chinese activists, Hong Fincher illuminates both the challenges they face and their “joy of betraying Big Brother,” as Wei Tingting—one of the Feminist Five—wrote of the defiance she felt during her detention. Tracing the rise of a new feminist consciousness through online campaigns resembling #MeToo, and describing how the Communist regime has suppressed the history of its own feminist struggles, Betraying Big Brother is a story of how the movement against patriarchy could reconfigure China and the world.
On the eve of International Women’s Day in 2015, the Chinese government arrested five feminist activists and jailed them for 37 days. The Feminist Five became a global cause célèbre, with Hillary Clinton speaking out on their behalf, and activists inundating social media with #FreetheFive messages. But the Feminist Five are only symbols of a much larger feminist movement of civil rights lawyers, labor activists, performance artists and online warriors that is prompting an unprecedented awakening among China’s urban, educated women. In Betraying Big Brother, journalist and scholar Leta Hong Fincher argues that the popular, broad-based movement poses the greatest threat to China’s authoritarian regime today.
Through interviews with the Feminist Five and other leading Chinese activists, Hong Fincher illuminates both the challenges they face and their “joy of betraying Big Brother,” as Wei Tingting—one of the Feminist Five—wrote of the defiance she felt during her detention. Tracing the rise of a new feminist consciousness through online campaigns resembling #MeToo, and describing how the Communist regime has suppressed the history of its own feminist struggles, Betraying Big Brother is a story of how the movement against patriarchy could reconfigure China and the world.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
142 people are currently reading
7130 people want to read
About the author
Leta Hong Fincher
2 books158 followersPraise for Leftover Women, 10th anniversary edition:
Named one of the best China books of 2023 by China Books Review.
“Leta Hong Fincher's book was not only an instant classic, it was downright clairvoyant: Seeing what others miss, she foresaw a seismic shift in the public mood, which has intensified in the past decade. The revised edition is urgent reading; it holds essential insights into China's economic and political future.”
―Evan Osnos, winner of the National Book Award, author of Age of Ambition
“An eye-opening, groundbreaking book that cast light on critical yet overlooked changes in China - and which seems more timely than ever ten years on.”
―Tania Branigan, author of Red Memory
“The past decade has time and again underlined the prescience of Leta Hong Fincher's Leftover Women. This groundbreaking book made a powerful case for how state propaganda and cultural norms combined to exclude Chinese women from the wealth creation springing from the country's rapid economic development. In this new version, Hong Fincher illustrates how women are beginning to fight back, and the obstacles lined up against them. This book is more relevant than ever to anyone who wants to understand China - read it and rage.”
―Louisa Lim, Author of Indelible City and The People's Republic of Amnesia
Leta Hong Fincher has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Dissent Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and others. As a long-time TV and radio journalist based in China, she won the Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award, the Cowan Award for Humanitarian Reporting and other journalism honors for her reporting.
Leta’s previous book, Betraying Big Brother: The Feminist Awakening in China, was named Best Book of the year by Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Foreign Policy Interrupted, Bitch Media and Autostraddle; it was also a New York Times “New and Noteworthy” pick. The New York Public Library named Betraying Big Brother one of its “essential reads on feminism” in 2020.
Leta's first book, Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China (2014), was named one of the top 5 China books of the year by the Asia Society’s ChinaFile and one of the best Asian books of the year by Asia House. It was on the New York Times list of recommended books on China in 2018 and on Book Riot’s list of 21 recommended Chinese history books in 2021.
Named one of the best China books of 2023 by China Books Review.
“Leta Hong Fincher's book was not only an instant classic, it was downright clairvoyant: Seeing what others miss, she foresaw a seismic shift in the public mood, which has intensified in the past decade. The revised edition is urgent reading; it holds essential insights into China's economic and political future.”
―Evan Osnos, winner of the National Book Award, author of Age of Ambition
“An eye-opening, groundbreaking book that cast light on critical yet overlooked changes in China - and which seems more timely than ever ten years on.”
―Tania Branigan, author of Red Memory
“The past decade has time and again underlined the prescience of Leta Hong Fincher's Leftover Women. This groundbreaking book made a powerful case for how state propaganda and cultural norms combined to exclude Chinese women from the wealth creation springing from the country's rapid economic development. In this new version, Hong Fincher illustrates how women are beginning to fight back, and the obstacles lined up against them. This book is more relevant than ever to anyone who wants to understand China - read it and rage.”
―Louisa Lim, Author of Indelible City and The People's Republic of Amnesia
Leta Hong Fincher has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, The Guardian, Dissent Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and others. As a long-time TV and radio journalist based in China, she won the Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award, the Cowan Award for Humanitarian Reporting and other journalism honors for her reporting.
Leta’s previous book, Betraying Big Brother: The Feminist Awakening in China, was named Best Book of the year by Vanity Fair, Newsweek, Foreign Policy Interrupted, Bitch Media and Autostraddle; it was also a New York Times “New and Noteworthy” pick. The New York Public Library named Betraying Big Brother one of its “essential reads on feminism” in 2020.
Leta's first book, Leftover Women: The Resurgence of Gender Inequality in China (2014), was named one of the top 5 China books of the year by the Asia Society’s ChinaFile and one of the best Asian books of the year by Asia House. It was on the New York Times list of recommended books on China in 2018 and on Book Riot’s list of 21 recommended Chinese history books in 2021.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
November 24, 2018
Betraying Big Brother is an essential read for anyone interested in women's rights democracy, politics and the global resurgence of women's activism. The cross-currents of change in China documented by Leta Hong Fincher here are important to understand in almost any context. So grateful for this book!
June 18, 2019
(Originally a twitter thread).
The horrors that people go through for just a glimmer of hope. The laughter that can still be found amongst the terror.
It's a great book. Let's dig in:
1. The first focus of this book is on the Feminist Five who were arrested and imprisoned in 2015. Dr. Hong Fincher excels here in putting their stories at the forefront of this book, carefully weaving their experiences with the wider national & international context of the time.
2. The second chapter is a brilliant entry (even by itself) for underlining the importance of the internet in enabling both new feminist activism in the grassroots, as well as enabling the CCP to further crush dissent through complex methods of censorship.
3. The third and fourth chapters of this book are tough. They are, like the rest of the book, very well-written, but they outline just how horrific the physical and psychological violence can be against women in China.
4. 'Jingwei Fills The Sea' summarises feminist activism beginning in the late Qing and provides useful context for those unfamiliar with modern China's history and how the nascent activist forces in the early Republic were often rather hollow when it came to womens' rights.
5. The latter chapters summarise the work of lawyers to fight back against state pressure on women and the state's needs for more children. Despite some advances (such as the Domestic Violence law in 2015/6), China's lack of rule of law undermines a lot of this 'progress'.
What I have mentioned so far is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the remarkable amount of detail in this book, so I can only urge you to read this book if you want to know more.
One of the greatest achievements of Dr. Hong Fincher's book is raising the voices of women who have faced violence from the state, from romantic partners, and from their own parents. To put their story at the forefront shows a real understanding of what's at stake.
The nasty tactics taken by the Party to discipline against social activism, such as threatening families/children, should underline just how serious the stakes can be for anyone who speaks out.
This book ultimately succeeds for three key reasons: It is uncompromising in highlighting the vicious oppression of citizens' voices. It is meticulous in its composition, providing context wherever possible, always leaving an avenue open for further reading. And third, it gave me hope through the laughter that can still be found in the absurdity of it all.
To better understand China, to better understand internet censorship, this is a necessary read.
A fantastic book, a true call to arms for feminists around the globe to understand the challenges all women, all queer people, all minorities face.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The horrors that people go through for just a glimmer of hope. The laughter that can still be found amongst the terror.
It's a great book. Let's dig in:
1. The first focus of this book is on the Feminist Five who were arrested and imprisoned in 2015. Dr. Hong Fincher excels here in putting their stories at the forefront of this book, carefully weaving their experiences with the wider national & international context of the time.
2. The second chapter is a brilliant entry (even by itself) for underlining the importance of the internet in enabling both new feminist activism in the grassroots, as well as enabling the CCP to further crush dissent through complex methods of censorship.
3. The third and fourth chapters of this book are tough. They are, like the rest of the book, very well-written, but they outline just how horrific the physical and psychological violence can be against women in China.
4. 'Jingwei Fills The Sea' summarises feminist activism beginning in the late Qing and provides useful context for those unfamiliar with modern China's history and how the nascent activist forces in the early Republic were often rather hollow when it came to womens' rights.
5. The latter chapters summarise the work of lawyers to fight back against state pressure on women and the state's needs for more children. Despite some advances (such as the Domestic Violence law in 2015/6), China's lack of rule of law undermines a lot of this 'progress'.
What I have mentioned so far is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the remarkable amount of detail in this book, so I can only urge you to read this book if you want to know more.
One of the greatest achievements of Dr. Hong Fincher's book is raising the voices of women who have faced violence from the state, from romantic partners, and from their own parents. To put their story at the forefront shows a real understanding of what's at stake.
The nasty tactics taken by the Party to discipline against social activism, such as threatening families/children, should underline just how serious the stakes can be for anyone who speaks out.
This book ultimately succeeds for three key reasons: It is uncompromising in highlighting the vicious oppression of citizens' voices. It is meticulous in its composition, providing context wherever possible, always leaving an avenue open for further reading. And third, it gave me hope through the laughter that can still be found in the absurdity of it all.
To better understand China, to better understand internet censorship, this is a necessary read.
A fantastic book, a true call to arms for feminists around the globe to understand the challenges all women, all queer people, all minorities face.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 23, 2023
"It is impossible to understand the longevity of China's Communist Party without recognizing the patriarchal underpinnings of its authoritarianism." (p4)
• BETRAYING BIG BROTHER: The Feminist Awakening in China by Leta Hong Fincher, 2021. @versobooks
March 7, 2015 - the evening before International Women's Day, Chinese authorities jailed five feminist activists for planning to distribute stickers that took a stand against sexual harassment/assault on public transportation. The "Feminist Five" were incarcerated for 37 days, finally released after immense global pressure.
Hong Fincher, a journalist and China scholar, tells the deeper story of each member of the "Feminist Five", how they came together via social media, and many others in the burgeoning movement that works specifically for women + children's rights, and LGBTQ+ communities in China, both in urban centers, and in rural communities.
So many of the things that the movement is advocating for - family leave, equal university admissions, domestic violence prevention - are things that many feminist movements have long been working towards, and some things that are completely taken for granted - public restrooms for women (!), companies and government orgs requiring gynecological exams before they hire a woman candidate (!).
A well-researched, insightful (and at times infuriating) look at women's rights in China, how the Xi government perpetrates the problems, and the continuing groundswell of resistance that marches on despite censorship, erasure, and incarceration.
Related reading:
We Have Been Harmonized: Life in China's Surveillance State (read in 2023)
• BETRAYING BIG BROTHER: The Feminist Awakening in China by Leta Hong Fincher, 2021. @versobooks
March 7, 2015 - the evening before International Women's Day, Chinese authorities jailed five feminist activists for planning to distribute stickers that took a stand against sexual harassment/assault on public transportation. The "Feminist Five" were incarcerated for 37 days, finally released after immense global pressure.
Hong Fincher, a journalist and China scholar, tells the deeper story of each member of the "Feminist Five", how they came together via social media, and many others in the burgeoning movement that works specifically for women + children's rights, and LGBTQ+ communities in China, both in urban centers, and in rural communities.
So many of the things that the movement is advocating for - family leave, equal university admissions, domestic violence prevention - are things that many feminist movements have long been working towards, and some things that are completely taken for granted - public restrooms for women (!), companies and government orgs requiring gynecological exams before they hire a woman candidate (!).
A well-researched, insightful (and at times infuriating) look at women's rights in China, how the Xi government perpetrates the problems, and the continuing groundswell of resistance that marches on despite censorship, erasure, and incarceration.
Related reading:
We Have Been Harmonized: Life in China's Surveillance State (read in 2023)
June 9, 2020
Such a phenomenal review of feminism in one of the most controlled nations in the world.
Will write a longer review later once I can adequately describe how brilliant and heroic the Feminist Five are and the memorizing details masterfully cared for by the author Hong Fincher.
Looking forward to discussing this with the OSS Group
Will write a longer review later once I can adequately describe how brilliant and heroic the Feminist Five are and the memorizing details masterfully cared for by the author Hong Fincher.
Looking forward to discussing this with the OSS Group
July 29, 2020
The feminist movement in China feels like such a small drop in the ocean. Like a tiny flame that gets tamped down by the patriarchal authority before it ever has a chance to catch.
What this book does exceptionally well is illustrate how hard it is to be a feminist in China; not just because of the political climate, but because of strict online censorship and aggressive methods employed by law enforcement to intimidate and ultimately suppress any social unrest.
Social media accounts are quickly taken down if not already banned by the state (pretty much everything we use in the United States, Twitter, Facebook.) The government will track down your professors, bosses, landlords and pressure them to expel, fire, and/or evict you. They’ll threaten your family; parents, children, spouses, anyone they can hold over you.
They can arrest you for little to no reason and hold you for months, accusing you of being a “threat” to the state and under “foreign, western influences.”
And for stupid shit. Like handing our stickers spreading awareness about sexual harassment on public transportation.
And they have to deal with all this while living in a country that ranks in the lower third of ALL countries in terms of gender equality.
It’s definitely worth the read. And I hope that my feminist sisters are able to gain some traction. But they have a long way to go and a tough road ahead 🥺
What this book does exceptionally well is illustrate how hard it is to be a feminist in China; not just because of the political climate, but because of strict online censorship and aggressive methods employed by law enforcement to intimidate and ultimately suppress any social unrest.
Social media accounts are quickly taken down if not already banned by the state (pretty much everything we use in the United States, Twitter, Facebook.) The government will track down your professors, bosses, landlords and pressure them to expel, fire, and/or evict you. They’ll threaten your family; parents, children, spouses, anyone they can hold over you.
They can arrest you for little to no reason and hold you for months, accusing you of being a “threat” to the state and under “foreign, western influences.”
And for stupid shit. Like handing our stickers spreading awareness about sexual harassment on public transportation.
And they have to deal with all this while living in a country that ranks in the lower third of ALL countries in terms of gender equality.
It’s definitely worth the read. And I hope that my feminist sisters are able to gain some traction. But they have a long way to go and a tough road ahead 🥺
October 3, 2019
As I was flipping through the whole book, I found notes on almost every page. It’s difficult to organize my thoughts on this book properly, but I’ll do my best.
I’m tremendously infuriated by the treatment The Feminist Five got when jailed for simply distributing stickers against sexual assaults. I’m one of the many young feminists awakened by internet movements mentioned in the 2nd chapter of this book, and I can’t believe I knew nothing about this. Innocent family members were threatened, requests for essential medication were refused, even after the detention, surveillance was still in operation. Chinese government’s disregard for laws and morals was appalling.
“What does it take to behave like a real human being in this terrible environment — when you’re not even treated like a human being yourself?”
-p.136
I consider myself lucky and privileged to be exposed to internet at a young age, and maybe that’s why I behave like a real human. But no one is pardoned from the oppression of patriarchy in China . I’ve experienced the so-called “widow-like parenting” due to the disproportional highlight on women’s role as baby carers, and I’ve witnessed how patriarchy affected my mom’s life.
“According to the Chinese government, women must marry men to preserve social stability, provide an outlet for men’s violent urges, and perform unpaid labor at home. Women must breed babies to relieve the aging of the population and the shrinking of the workforce. Education is only necessary in order for women to play their proper role as mothers, so that they can build up a highly skilled workforce for China’s future. Finally, women must care for the elderly, so the government does not have to spend money on a comprehensive welfare program.”
- p.185-186
After my mom gave birth to me, the doctor inserted intrauterine devices in her body without her permission (as described in the 7th chapter) ; my grandmother fainted because I was born female and later urged my mom to get a divorce.
My father cheated on my mom, but she didn’t leave. He pushed my mom to the ground once, but she didn’t leave. He’s a disgusting alcoholic and heavy smoker who’s reluctant to do chores, to hug me when I was little, but my mom didn’t leave.
Like many Chinese women, she believes a divorce is worse for the child than a dysfunctional family. So maybe I’m the one to blame for her continuing living like that until a psychiatrist found out that I had severe mental health issues, and then he started to change. I’m glad there’s karma and it’s working in splendid ways. Treating mental illness costs a great fortune you know:)
“Our awakening may be accompanied by deep pain, excitement, or terror, until in that flash of enlightenment, the truth bursts forth with savage power.”
-p.200
Feminist movements in China need to be apolitical at the moment to avoid governmental interference. Also, they need to involve all walks of people to gain more power. As stated in the 6th chapter, that all different social forces coming together is what the Communist Party fears the most.
“The detention of the Feminist Five was awful, but on the other hand, so many more people started paying attention to our cause and volunteering.”
- p.135
Some may argue it’s hard to be a feminist under the brainwashing one-party dictatorship, but I would argue that it’s hard not to betray the big brother, when millions of new-born baby girls are being suffocated but He only cares about the prospect of marriages for bachelors created by the imbalanced sex-ratio (113:100 in 2015); when intrusive personal questions related to marriage and pregnancy are routinely asked in most job interviews for women; when some international organizations, for fear of offending the Chinese government, self-censor and do not invite independent feminist activists to speak in universities.
It’s indeed a privilege to be an awakened feminist in China. It often requires education which is not accessible for many, internet and so on. However, there’s hope. The detention of The Feminist Five is traumatizing, but it also pushes the feminist movements forward. It’s a painful way to make the truth known by more people, but it’s a way nevertheless.
It’s important to believe in our feelings and in what we witness, rather than the government’s propaganda. Don’t let them tell you how you should feel, or that the reality is better than what you see. After you realize the truth, there’s no going back.
I’m tremendously infuriated by the treatment The Feminist Five got when jailed for simply distributing stickers against sexual assaults. I’m one of the many young feminists awakened by internet movements mentioned in the 2nd chapter of this book, and I can’t believe I knew nothing about this. Innocent family members were threatened, requests for essential medication were refused, even after the detention, surveillance was still in operation. Chinese government’s disregard for laws and morals was appalling.
“What does it take to behave like a real human being in this terrible environment — when you’re not even treated like a human being yourself?”
-p.136
I consider myself lucky and privileged to be exposed to internet at a young age, and maybe that’s why I behave like a real human. But no one is pardoned from the oppression of patriarchy in China . I’ve experienced the so-called “widow-like parenting” due to the disproportional highlight on women’s role as baby carers, and I’ve witnessed how patriarchy affected my mom’s life.
“According to the Chinese government, women must marry men to preserve social stability, provide an outlet for men’s violent urges, and perform unpaid labor at home. Women must breed babies to relieve the aging of the population and the shrinking of the workforce. Education is only necessary in order for women to play their proper role as mothers, so that they can build up a highly skilled workforce for China’s future. Finally, women must care for the elderly, so the government does not have to spend money on a comprehensive welfare program.”
- p.185-186
After my mom gave birth to me, the doctor inserted intrauterine devices in her body without her permission (as described in the 7th chapter) ; my grandmother fainted because I was born female and later urged my mom to get a divorce.
My father cheated on my mom, but she didn’t leave. He pushed my mom to the ground once, but she didn’t leave. He’s a disgusting alcoholic and heavy smoker who’s reluctant to do chores, to hug me when I was little, but my mom didn’t leave.
Like many Chinese women, she believes a divorce is worse for the child than a dysfunctional family. So maybe I’m the one to blame for her continuing living like that until a psychiatrist found out that I had severe mental health issues, and then he started to change. I’m glad there’s karma and it’s working in splendid ways. Treating mental illness costs a great fortune you know:)
“Our awakening may be accompanied by deep pain, excitement, or terror, until in that flash of enlightenment, the truth bursts forth with savage power.”
-p.200
Feminist movements in China need to be apolitical at the moment to avoid governmental interference. Also, they need to involve all walks of people to gain more power. As stated in the 6th chapter, that all different social forces coming together is what the Communist Party fears the most.
“The detention of the Feminist Five was awful, but on the other hand, so many more people started paying attention to our cause and volunteering.”
- p.135
Some may argue it’s hard to be a feminist under the brainwashing one-party dictatorship, but I would argue that it’s hard not to betray the big brother, when millions of new-born baby girls are being suffocated but He only cares about the prospect of marriages for bachelors created by the imbalanced sex-ratio (113:100 in 2015); when intrusive personal questions related to marriage and pregnancy are routinely asked in most job interviews for women; when some international organizations, for fear of offending the Chinese government, self-censor and do not invite independent feminist activists to speak in universities.
It’s indeed a privilege to be an awakened feminist in China. It often requires education which is not accessible for many, internet and so on. However, there’s hope. The detention of The Feminist Five is traumatizing, but it also pushes the feminist movements forward. It’s a painful way to make the truth known by more people, but it’s a way nevertheless.
It’s important to believe in our feelings and in what we witness, rather than the government’s propaganda. Don’t let them tell you how you should feel, or that the reality is better than what you see. After you realize the truth, there’s no going back.
April 28, 2019
Leta Hong Fincher is now one of my favorite researchers and writers. I’ve had this book on my to read list the moment I heard she is writing a new book and it was worth the wait. If you haven’t read any of her books I would recommend starting with her first book Leftover Woman.
This book sheds light on The Feminist Five and their feminist movement in China. I’m sad to say that I have not heard of them until I read this book nor did I hear of how they basically shook the government. I recall reading an article or two about some of the issues they protested such as the public bathrooms and the walk to protest sexual harassment but I did not know the extent of these protests and movements within China and how much of an effect it had. For around 200 pages this book discusses so much in a manner that’s easily understood and makes sure to give voice to those who need to be heard in the movement as well as Leta Hong Fincher’s own voice and experiences.
This book is incredible and important and relates to a lot of feminist and human rights protests that’s happening elsewhere in the world. I hate how such big movements and disruptions that happen in China specifically don’t always reach global audiences until later on and I’m trying to do my best now to follow active users who share these news since the internet is heavily restricted in that part of the world.
I look forward to hearing news of the publication of books written by any member of the Feminist Five and I really look forward to more future work by Leta Hong Fincher.
[Around the world pick for China.]
This book sheds light on The Feminist Five and their feminist movement in China. I’m sad to say that I have not heard of them until I read this book nor did I hear of how they basically shook the government. I recall reading an article or two about some of the issues they protested such as the public bathrooms and the walk to protest sexual harassment but I did not know the extent of these protests and movements within China and how much of an effect it had. For around 200 pages this book discusses so much in a manner that’s easily understood and makes sure to give voice to those who need to be heard in the movement as well as Leta Hong Fincher’s own voice and experiences.
This book is incredible and important and relates to a lot of feminist and human rights protests that’s happening elsewhere in the world. I hate how such big movements and disruptions that happen in China specifically don’t always reach global audiences until later on and I’m trying to do my best now to follow active users who share these news since the internet is heavily restricted in that part of the world.
I look forward to hearing news of the publication of books written by any member of the Feminist Five and I really look forward to more future work by Leta Hong Fincher.
[Around the world pick for China.]
March 12, 2023
Being a feminist in a China is a dangerous endeavour. Anything disruptive - and raising awareness about inequality and patriarchy, even without making any effort to actually dismantle it, is seen as disruptive - is considered by the government a threat to a very fragile social system. Chinese social harmony is an open secret. Under the surface boil frustration, fury and suppressed aggression. When the police arrested five feminists planning to raise awareness about sexual harassment on public transport by handing out stickers on the streets on the International Women’s Day in 2015, held them in captivity for over a month and intimidated them and their closed ones, the state revealed how weak and scared they are. In a country of nearly 1.5 billion people, mere five young women were seen as a threat. In “Betraying Big Brother. The Feminist Awakening in China” Leta Hong Fincher discusses the state oppression, women’s rights and feminist activism in China, focusing her attention around this incident.
“These women were all engaged in a fierce battle against a misogynistic society and an authoritarian state - often with no support from their own families. Some had survived or witnessed abuse as they were growing up, such as frequent, brutal beatings from their own fathers; violent misogynistic and homophobic bullying at school; or sexual assault and sexual harassment in their early years. They often described their feminist awakenings as deeply transformative experiences, through which they realised for the first time that their lives actually mattered, that they deserved to live in dignity, and that they could raise the consciousness of other women as well.”
This is all in line with what I hear from many of my Chinese students, who leave their country in a state of anxiety and oftentimes depression, in fear that they will not be strong enough or competent enough to build their lives anew abroad. Chinese men and the official stance of the government claim that inequality and prejudice against women are imaginary, that Chinese women can lead very good lives, and so some less confident women start doubting themselves. Inability to discuss these topics openly, honestly and in depth in the media and in public causes confusion and frustration. Hong Fincher’s book analyses the challenges and obstacles, gives voice to many of the silenced women and offers hope for a better tomorrow, backed up by excellent research. However, even though Hong Fincher speaks of misogyny and homophobia, ableism and ageism, it does not - and this is its weakest aspect in my opinion - address challenges faced by women from ethnic minorities, oppressed in an additional manner. I wonder if Han Chinese women could build solidarity with Uyghur women and those from other persecuted groups, or if I’m asking for too much. In any case, “Betraying Big Brother” is a fantastic foundation to learn about the history and current state of feminism in China.
“These women were all engaged in a fierce battle against a misogynistic society and an authoritarian state - often with no support from their own families. Some had survived or witnessed abuse as they were growing up, such as frequent, brutal beatings from their own fathers; violent misogynistic and homophobic bullying at school; or sexual assault and sexual harassment in their early years. They often described their feminist awakenings as deeply transformative experiences, through which they realised for the first time that their lives actually mattered, that they deserved to live in dignity, and that they could raise the consciousness of other women as well.”
This is all in line with what I hear from many of my Chinese students, who leave their country in a state of anxiety and oftentimes depression, in fear that they will not be strong enough or competent enough to build their lives anew abroad. Chinese men and the official stance of the government claim that inequality and prejudice against women are imaginary, that Chinese women can lead very good lives, and so some less confident women start doubting themselves. Inability to discuss these topics openly, honestly and in depth in the media and in public causes confusion and frustration. Hong Fincher’s book analyses the challenges and obstacles, gives voice to many of the silenced women and offers hope for a better tomorrow, backed up by excellent research. However, even though Hong Fincher speaks of misogyny and homophobia, ableism and ageism, it does not - and this is its weakest aspect in my opinion - address challenges faced by women from ethnic minorities, oppressed in an additional manner. I wonder if Han Chinese women could build solidarity with Uyghur women and those from other persecuted groups, or if I’m asking for too much. In any case, “Betraying Big Brother” is a fantastic foundation to learn about the history and current state of feminism in China.
August 3, 2022
This was incredibly well researched and presented in an interesting and engaging way.
Kind of a random five star, but I found it captivating. Probably helps that I have an MA in China Studies and I lived in Beijing for a couple years. China is wild man.
More power to these women paving the way!
Kind of a random five star, but I found it captivating. Probably helps that I have an MA in China Studies and I lived in Beijing for a couple years. China is wild man.
More power to these women paving the way!
July 20, 2020
I really wanted to like this book, and the subject matter should form part of worldwide feminist discourse. But I don't feel like this book did enough justice to explaining the patriarchal authoritarianism that Chinese women face.
Throughout, the book felt like an overblown university/high school essay. The sentence 'I argue that...' was used liberally, and there was a tedious overuse of acronyms for various NGOs. The book begins with an account of 'the Feminist Five' and their detainment by Chinese security authorities, but then that segment of the book never seems to end. The small scale protests enacted by these feminist campaigners are raked over again and again, even though there are only so many times you can talk about distributing stickers in hushed, reverent tones. The five are introduced, and then keep being reintroduced in various chapters afresh.
There were two chapters that provided the context that was missing throughout, one on the history of feminism in China and the other about authoritarian rule under president Xi Jinping. These were bafflingly placed midway through and at the very end of the book.
Overall, it felt like it could have done with a lot more research to round out the narrative being told. Clearly, the author spent a lot of time with the women she built her book around, but their story isn't an entire story and it definitely wasn't a book length story.
Throughout, the book felt like an overblown university/high school essay. The sentence 'I argue that...' was used liberally, and there was a tedious overuse of acronyms for various NGOs. The book begins with an account of 'the Feminist Five' and their detainment by Chinese security authorities, but then that segment of the book never seems to end. The small scale protests enacted by these feminist campaigners are raked over again and again, even though there are only so many times you can talk about distributing stickers in hushed, reverent tones. The five are introduced, and then keep being reintroduced in various chapters afresh.
There were two chapters that provided the context that was missing throughout, one on the history of feminism in China and the other about authoritarian rule under president Xi Jinping. These were bafflingly placed midway through and at the very end of the book.
Overall, it felt like it could have done with a lot more research to round out the narrative being told. Clearly, the author spent a lot of time with the women she built her book around, but their story isn't an entire story and it definitely wasn't a book length story.
June 19, 2021
essential read for a better understanding of china, internet censorship, + the general struggles of marginalised groups
great deep dive on how authoritarianism and patriarchy tend to come hand in hand in society, also interesting to see the role of the internet in both censorship + access to online activism for causes such as feminism, lgbt rights in china.
from the early days of modern feminist movements in China and its implications on the chinese government, its an important reminder of the constant struggle that marginalised groups continue to face on the daily in different parts of the world.
4/5
great deep dive on how authoritarianism and patriarchy tend to come hand in hand in society, also interesting to see the role of the internet in both censorship + access to online activism for causes such as feminism, lgbt rights in china.
from the early days of modern feminist movements in China and its implications on the chinese government, its an important reminder of the constant struggle that marginalised groups continue to face on the daily in different parts of the world.
4/5
May 11, 2024
”Nel 2018 la Cina ha adottato quella che è probabilmente la tecnologia di sorveglianza più avanzata del mondo – comprende persino il riconoscimento facciale e la scansione dell’iride –, facendo sì che il raggio d’azione del suo apparato di sicurezza penetri a fondo nella vita privata dei cittadini, in modo da creare una “dittatura digitale” su larga scala.”
L’asfissiante controllo sociale esercitato da un sistema che ha sposato completamente l’economia di mercato liberista, poggiando su una struttura sociale di stampo patriarcale fortemente maschilista, presenta una connotazione altamente distopica. Gli interessi del sistema capitalistico cinese sono assicurati anche da un’attiva politica demografica eugenetica, ”Per ridurre al minimo il disordine sociale e assicurarsi generazioni di futuri lavoratori capaci, il governo cinese tramanda aggressivamente norme di genere tradizionali, assegnando alle donne il ruolo di mogli devote, madri e angeli del focolare. Inoltre sta realizzando una repressione a tappeto dell’attivismo femminista, perché la classe dirigente – interamente maschile – sembra convinta che, se non fosse per la sottomissione delle donne, lo Stato di sicurezza imploderebbe […] Il governo cinese pretende che le donne siano strumenti riproduttivi dello Stato, mogli e madri obbedienti in casa, che aiutino a mantenere la stabilità politica, facciano figli e allevino la forza lavoro del futuro. Quando nel 1979 cominciò ad aprire l’economia alle riforme liberiste, la Cina introdusse anche la catastrofica «politica del figlio unico», che violava gravemente i diritti riproduttivi delle cinesi. Gli abusi clamorosi perpetrati durante gli oltre trentacinque anni di applicazione della politica – aborti forzati su vasta scala, sterilizzazioni, obbligo di contraccezione, compreso il massiccio inserimento coatto di contraccettivi intrauterini – sono stati ampiamente documentati, per esempio da Mei Fong nel suo libro Figlio unico.”
L’autoritarismo della società patriarcale cinese è intriso di violenze e abusi, tollerati e giustificati, perpetrati nell’ambiente domestico e pubblicamente e che sono funzionali alla permanenza al potere del partito comunista cinese: ”Secondo il governo cinese, le donne devono sposare un uomo per mantenere la stabilità sociale, fornire uno sfogo agli impulsi aggressivi degli uomini e svolgere il lavoro domestico non retribuito. Devono avere figli per ridurre l’invecchiamento della popolazione e la contrazione della forza lavoro (anche se, come si è visto, il suprematismo eugenetico “han” vuole che solo le cinesi “han” istruite abbiano più figli). Devono studiare esclusivamente per prepararsi al ruolo di madri, in modo da poter costruire una forza lavoro qualificata per il futuro della Cina. Infine, devono prendersi cura dei vecchi, così il governo non è costretto a investire su un sistema generale di welfare, e devono coltivare la “famiglia armoniosa” che sta al cuore dello Stato autoritario.”
Tradire il Grande Fratello presenta un quadro impressionante sulla questione di genere in Cina, inquadrandola all’interno del contesto sociale, politico ed economico più vasto, ma è interessante cogliere i segnali che sono presenti anche in Occidente sull’intreccio tra sistema di produzione capitalistico, politiche demografiche, tenuta dello stato sociale e questione di genere.
L’asfissiante controllo sociale esercitato da un sistema che ha sposato completamente l’economia di mercato liberista, poggiando su una struttura sociale di stampo patriarcale fortemente maschilista, presenta una connotazione altamente distopica. Gli interessi del sistema capitalistico cinese sono assicurati anche da un’attiva politica demografica eugenetica, ”Per ridurre al minimo il disordine sociale e assicurarsi generazioni di futuri lavoratori capaci, il governo cinese tramanda aggressivamente norme di genere tradizionali, assegnando alle donne il ruolo di mogli devote, madri e angeli del focolare. Inoltre sta realizzando una repressione a tappeto dell’attivismo femminista, perché la classe dirigente – interamente maschile – sembra convinta che, se non fosse per la sottomissione delle donne, lo Stato di sicurezza imploderebbe […] Il governo cinese pretende che le donne siano strumenti riproduttivi dello Stato, mogli e madri obbedienti in casa, che aiutino a mantenere la stabilità politica, facciano figli e allevino la forza lavoro del futuro. Quando nel 1979 cominciò ad aprire l’economia alle riforme liberiste, la Cina introdusse anche la catastrofica «politica del figlio unico», che violava gravemente i diritti riproduttivi delle cinesi. Gli abusi clamorosi perpetrati durante gli oltre trentacinque anni di applicazione della politica – aborti forzati su vasta scala, sterilizzazioni, obbligo di contraccezione, compreso il massiccio inserimento coatto di contraccettivi intrauterini – sono stati ampiamente documentati, per esempio da Mei Fong nel suo libro Figlio unico.”
L’autoritarismo della società patriarcale cinese è intriso di violenze e abusi, tollerati e giustificati, perpetrati nell’ambiente domestico e pubblicamente e che sono funzionali alla permanenza al potere del partito comunista cinese: ”Secondo il governo cinese, le donne devono sposare un uomo per mantenere la stabilità sociale, fornire uno sfogo agli impulsi aggressivi degli uomini e svolgere il lavoro domestico non retribuito. Devono avere figli per ridurre l’invecchiamento della popolazione e la contrazione della forza lavoro (anche se, come si è visto, il suprematismo eugenetico “han” vuole che solo le cinesi “han” istruite abbiano più figli). Devono studiare esclusivamente per prepararsi al ruolo di madri, in modo da poter costruire una forza lavoro qualificata per il futuro della Cina. Infine, devono prendersi cura dei vecchi, così il governo non è costretto a investire su un sistema generale di welfare, e devono coltivare la “famiglia armoniosa” che sta al cuore dello Stato autoritario.”
Tradire il Grande Fratello presenta un quadro impressionante sulla questione di genere in Cina, inquadrandola all’interno del contesto sociale, politico ed economico più vasto, ma è interessante cogliere i segnali che sono presenti anche in Occidente sull’intreccio tra sistema di produzione capitalistico, politiche demografiche, tenuta dello stato sociale e questione di genere.
February 18, 2020
Mainio johdatus kiinalaiseen feministiseen liikehdintään ja Kiinan valtiokoneiston yrityksiin tukahduttaa tuo patriarkaalista järjestystä uhkaava toiminta. Teos osoittaa, millaisia autoritaarisen valtion vakavat ihmisoikeusloukkaukset käytännössä voivat olla. Kylmäävää luettavaa.
Ongelmat ovat samoja ja samanlaisista rakenteista johtuvia kuin muuallakin maailmassa, mutta Kiinan valtiokoneiston sensuuri ja vaientamisyritykset ovat aivan omaa luokkaansa. Lähestymistapa on selvän yhteiskuntatieteellinen, ja kirjoittaja hallitsee intersektionaalisen ajattelun ja tarkastelee feminististä toimintaa osana laajempaa yhteiskunnallista ja historiallista kontekstia.
Teos keskittyy 2010-luvun aktivismiin, mutta siinä tehdään myös katsaus feministisen liikehdinnän historiaan Kiinassa. En voinut kuin huutaa mielessäni, että tämän koulun historian tunnit ovat minulta pimittäneet. Siksikin koulun historia oli niin usein miesten sotimia sotia loputtomilla vuosiluvuilla kuorrutettuina. Tällaista minä olisin halunnut lukea! Ja jos tällaista olisivat lukeneet kaikki, meillä saattaisi hiihtää täällä vähän sivistyneempää ja sensitiivisempää porukkaa.
Paikoin ihan pikkiriikkisen toisteinen, koska eri luvuissa kuvataan samoja tapahtumia ja ilmiöitä eri näkökulmista. Toimii tosi hyvin äänikirjana.
Suosittelen sekä feminismiinsä vihkiytyneille että aihetta vähemmän tunteville. Jälkimmäisille varoituksen sananen: se, että Kiinassa naisten vessojen vaatimisesta ja seksuaalisen häirinnän pöydälle nostamisesta joutuu yli kuukaudeksi poseen ja kidutuksen kaltaiseen kuulusteluputkeen ilman lääkkeitä ja silmälaseja, ei tarkoita, että yhdenvertaisuus Suomessa olisi millään tavalla lähelläkään valmista. On kuitenkin myönnettävä, että kirjaa lukiessa tuntee kiitollisuutta siitä, miten vapaata oma ajattelu ja toiminta maailman mittakaavassa ovat. Huh!
Ongelmat ovat samoja ja samanlaisista rakenteista johtuvia kuin muuallakin maailmassa, mutta Kiinan valtiokoneiston sensuuri ja vaientamisyritykset ovat aivan omaa luokkaansa. Lähestymistapa on selvän yhteiskuntatieteellinen, ja kirjoittaja hallitsee intersektionaalisen ajattelun ja tarkastelee feminististä toimintaa osana laajempaa yhteiskunnallista ja historiallista kontekstia.
Teos keskittyy 2010-luvun aktivismiin, mutta siinä tehdään myös katsaus feministisen liikehdinnän historiaan Kiinassa. En voinut kuin huutaa mielessäni, että tämän koulun historian tunnit ovat minulta pimittäneet. Siksikin koulun historia oli niin usein miesten sotimia sotia loputtomilla vuosiluvuilla kuorrutettuina. Tällaista minä olisin halunnut lukea! Ja jos tällaista olisivat lukeneet kaikki, meillä saattaisi hiihtää täällä vähän sivistyneempää ja sensitiivisempää porukkaa.
Paikoin ihan pikkiriikkisen toisteinen, koska eri luvuissa kuvataan samoja tapahtumia ja ilmiöitä eri näkökulmista. Toimii tosi hyvin äänikirjana.
Suosittelen sekä feminismiinsä vihkiytyneille että aihetta vähemmän tunteville. Jälkimmäisille varoituksen sananen: se, että Kiinassa naisten vessojen vaatimisesta ja seksuaalisen häirinnän pöydälle nostamisesta joutuu yli kuukaudeksi poseen ja kidutuksen kaltaiseen kuulusteluputkeen ilman lääkkeitä ja silmälaseja, ei tarkoita, että yhdenvertaisuus Suomessa olisi millään tavalla lähelläkään valmista. On kuitenkin myönnettävä, että kirjaa lukiessa tuntee kiitollisuutta siitä, miten vapaata oma ajattelu ja toiminta maailman mittakaavassa ovat. Huh!
October 14, 2018
"Betraying Big Brother" by Dr. Leta Hong Fincher is deeply researched, extremely easy to read and addresses a topic of staggering importance: the rise of a vibrant rights movement in the world's most powerful authoritarian state: China. Dr. Hong Fincher draws on extensive interviews with women across China, from Beijing in the north to Guangzhou in the south, to paint a portrait of a burgeoning movement that is succeeding despite frequent crackdowns by the state. The core of the book is a gripping narrative about the arrest, detention and release of the "Feminist Five" in 2015. She uses their story, and what's happened since, to draw important conclusions about China specifically and authoritarian systems in general. China's Communist Party, Hong Fincher concludes, relies on the suppression of women as a key element in fostering the stability of the regime. Anyone who wants to understand how the Party has maintained power for 70 years MUST take into account its repression of women, and its view of women as reproductive tools of the state, to get a full picture. This book is not only extremely easy to read, it is also profoundly important, not only for feminists and scholars of China, but also for the study of authoritarian regimes. The main message of the book is fundamentally hopeful: the power of women demanding a better life for themselves may be more powerful than the world's mightiest police state. It's a story that could play out not only in China but everywhere. As the democratic world responds to the rise of authoritarianism, one of its most powerful weapons may be the empowerment of women.
August 2, 2024
Mi sembrava giusto leggere questo libro per continuare la tematica legata alla Cina che avevo iniziato con Red Mirror e altri libri. Solo che al netto di alcune cose (come la politica di Xi Jinping) questo non è poi così differente da un qualsiasi altro libro femminista che mi è capitato di leggere di recente.
Non è colpa del libro, eh. E' che le discriminazioni quelle sono, che vengano fatte dal partito o dal libero mercato.
Non è colpa del libro, eh. E' che le discriminazioni quelle sono, che vengano fatte dal partito o dal libero mercato.
June 18, 2020
A pretty harrowing read for the times. Shows how hard it is to keep a movement going with such a strong amount of watching, censorship, and government suppression of ideas. Seeing what's going on in America right now, it kind of feels like looking into our future and not in a good way.
August 9, 2019
An important book. You must read this to help understand China
February 12, 2019
Like Hong Fincher’s previous text, I should have loved this, but I found the structure frustrating and lacking a clear logic. The chapters don’t seem to fit together, and individually are encompassing of murky and wide-reaching levels of analysis, figures and stories. It sits somewhere in between suited to a China novice, for whom not enough is explained, and a China veteran, for whom too much is explained and not enough depth is provided. Overall it is an important text about an important event, that does provide valuable insight. My favourite part of this book was the last chapter on China’s ‘patriarchal authoritarianism’ - this should have perhaps taken a more prominent role in the text, or have been omitted to have been expanded into its own work.
October 4, 2019
I find it so hard to review non-fiction, but let’s give it a go! I learnt a whole lot from this book- honestly at some points I was just floored by how unbelievable the situation is for women in China right now. This was also quite a short, fast read which would be good for anyone interested in learning more, but are intimidated by non-fiction books- it read more like an extended article. On the flip side, I wish the author had spent some more time giving us these women’s backstory and doing a bit more of a deep dive into how they came to be involved in the movement, and the affect of their imprisonment on a larger scale. Highly recommend this one if it’s something your interested in.
September 24, 2022
Really interesting but it does get weirdly repetitive, not in the sense that the second half repeats the first but that every for 3 pages there's the next 3 pages saying the same thing in different words?
January 7, 2019
This was a page turner and eye opener for me. It was well organized/written and timely.
January 24, 2022
Betraying Big Brother by Leta Hong Fincher
Betraying Big Brother is an eye-opening examination of the feminist movement in China. Revolving around the arrest of the Feminist Five on the eve of International Women's Day in 2015. Leta Hong Fincher draws on the experiences of the five women who were arrested on the eve of International Women's Day. She conducts interviews with these women and other feminists in the movement following the events, their imprisonments, interrogations and the trauma this has caused.
The women were arrested for organising to give out stickers against sexual harassment and for their connections with foreign funding to do so on International Women's Day.
The book is also a horrifying of the wider human rights abuses, widespread domestic abuse, gender discrimination, eugenic agendas and more of the communist state. How to survive the communist state is driven by a patriarchal authoritative agenda that is dependent upon promoting educted Han women to procreate in hetereosexual marriages.
There were so many moments of shock and horror in reading this book from the fact single mothers are unlikely to be given reproduction permits so their child will never be registered, never have access to education etc. To seeing a 2004 sex education pamphlet describing girls as degenerates for having sex before marriage. Not to mention the censorship, the domestic violence bill that only came in 2016 and is not enforced, the limited support for rape victims or prosecution. The blatant gender discrimination and more.
What was most interesting was the discussion of how "lean in" feminism since the crackdown has been the most allowable feminism as its apolitical and poses limited challenge to the state powers. However, all the feminists and Leta Hong Fincher acknowledge the need to engage with the working women of China and the real need to unite women. Fincher points to the cases of the Feminist Five supporting working women and the growing connections. Whilst feminism across China has been vilified what is clear from this book is that there is a growing movement in China.
The book whilst incredibly heavy ends on a note of optimism as Leta Hong Fincher talks to the Feminist Five and how many of them describe their determination to continue fighting and standing up for their sisters. Their calls for women around the world to fight for causes for women.
This book is really accessible, entirely readable and has made me want to learn so much more about the situation in China and educate myself further.
Betraying Big Brother is an eye-opening examination of the feminist movement in China. Revolving around the arrest of the Feminist Five on the eve of International Women's Day in 2015. Leta Hong Fincher draws on the experiences of the five women who were arrested on the eve of International Women's Day. She conducts interviews with these women and other feminists in the movement following the events, their imprisonments, interrogations and the trauma this has caused.
The women were arrested for organising to give out stickers against sexual harassment and for their connections with foreign funding to do so on International Women's Day.
The book is also a horrifying of the wider human rights abuses, widespread domestic abuse, gender discrimination, eugenic agendas and more of the communist state. How to survive the communist state is driven by a patriarchal authoritative agenda that is dependent upon promoting educted Han women to procreate in hetereosexual marriages.
There were so many moments of shock and horror in reading this book from the fact single mothers are unlikely to be given reproduction permits so their child will never be registered, never have access to education etc. To seeing a 2004 sex education pamphlet describing girls as degenerates for having sex before marriage. Not to mention the censorship, the domestic violence bill that only came in 2016 and is not enforced, the limited support for rape victims or prosecution. The blatant gender discrimination and more.
What was most interesting was the discussion of how "lean in" feminism since the crackdown has been the most allowable feminism as its apolitical and poses limited challenge to the state powers. However, all the feminists and Leta Hong Fincher acknowledge the need to engage with the working women of China and the real need to unite women. Fincher points to the cases of the Feminist Five supporting working women and the growing connections. Whilst feminism across China has been vilified what is clear from this book is that there is a growing movement in China.
The book whilst incredibly heavy ends on a note of optimism as Leta Hong Fincher talks to the Feminist Five and how many of them describe their determination to continue fighting and standing up for their sisters. Their calls for women around the world to fight for causes for women.
This book is really accessible, entirely readable and has made me want to learn so much more about the situation in China and educate myself further.
December 30, 2019
The book strongly reminded me of a couple of fiction reads as I read it; Orwell's 1984 and Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. Unfortunately this one is a non- fiction, and not the next great fiction read.
I had such a time wrapping my head around the idea that something as simple as protesting sexual harassment would get these women thrown into jail and essentially tortured through interrogation to the point that they suffered severe health collapse issues and aquired ptsd from it. However the focus of this book is their activism and perseverance, and their time behind bars is, thankfully, not explicitly detailed.
Many issues faced by Chinese women is similar to American women - the balance of work and home life, the want for a fulfilling career against sexism in the workplace, rampant sexual harassment everywhere. But their story is intricately wrapped around their culturally patriarchal society. Their history and present political foundation is built upon patriarchy that impresses the importance of the family at both the home and national levels. This is expressed in their many orphans campaigns that praise women who get educated, get married, have a child, and then get hired (at a lower pay and position).
This book is both uplifting and oppressive in its activism. While reading of the many activist journeys and stories, it is easy to hear The Eye of the Tiger and even smile at the tenacity of these women who won't quit, even when they fear for their lives. They bring their uniquely blended activist/ communist personalities to fight their patriarchy in astrategic way.
One of the most harrowing moments in these women's feminist activity is the realization that any of them could disappear at a moment, and so they have to continue to teach others who are eagerly taking up the mantle so that even if they die the movement will not. But many Chinese women recognize the need to globalize and create strong bonds of fellowship, to fight all the fights at once.
Their fight is unique to their culture and their country. How does feminism move forward in a culture steeped in tradition steeped in patriarchy?
I had such a time wrapping my head around the idea that something as simple as protesting sexual harassment would get these women thrown into jail and essentially tortured through interrogation to the point that they suffered severe health collapse issues and aquired ptsd from it. However the focus of this book is their activism and perseverance, and their time behind bars is, thankfully, not explicitly detailed.
Many issues faced by Chinese women is similar to American women - the balance of work and home life, the want for a fulfilling career against sexism in the workplace, rampant sexual harassment everywhere. But their story is intricately wrapped around their culturally patriarchal society. Their history and present political foundation is built upon patriarchy that impresses the importance of the family at both the home and national levels. This is expressed in their many orphans campaigns that praise women who get educated, get married, have a child, and then get hired (at a lower pay and position).
This book is both uplifting and oppressive in its activism. While reading of the many activist journeys and stories, it is easy to hear The Eye of the Tiger and even smile at the tenacity of these women who won't quit, even when they fear for their lives. They bring their uniquely blended activist/ communist personalities to fight their patriarchy in astrategic way.
One of the most harrowing moments in these women's feminist activity is the realization that any of them could disappear at a moment, and so they have to continue to teach others who are eagerly taking up the mantle so that even if they die the movement will not. But many Chinese women recognize the need to globalize and create strong bonds of fellowship, to fight all the fights at once.
Their fight is unique to their culture and their country. How does feminism move forward in a culture steeped in tradition steeped in patriarchy?
October 7, 2018
Dr. Leta Hong Fincher's book gives a complete picture of the modern-day feminist movement in China, while also putting it in the context of history. It's incredible to learn how gender equality played into the Communist revolution, especially in terms of the labor force, and Dr. Hong Fincher does an expert job of explaining how it was eventually minimized in favor of patriarchal culture and also authoritarianism.
Parts of this book read like a spy novel. It's astonishing and often heartbreaking to hear how feminists in China have been treated by the state: not only surveilled and intimidated, but thrown in detention and tortured. Despite it all, they form inextricable bonds and help each other out in extraordinary ways. It is a sisterhood that transcends the trauma each has experienced.
Above all else, Betraying Big Brother is an inspiring work. It shows the power of feminism within an oppressive, patriarchal regime. The Feminist Five and other activists (in and out of China) show what can be accomplished, as Li Maizi says in her mantra, with "perseverance, bravery, endurance."
This is a necessary message for feminists and everyone who cares about human rights around the globe. Though authoritarian regimes are on the rise, there is tremendous strength in organizing and promoting gender equality. It threatens the patriarchal systems of power, which is why China has become so adamant about stamping out the threat by any means possible, from censorship to incarceration. This book details all of those ways, as well as the brilliant tactics the movement has used to fight back.
Nevertheless, the feminists in China persist, as should the rest of us. Dr. Hong Fincher's book makes a great case for global feminism's potential for lasting change, and I am grateful to have read this work.
For some further thoughts, plus an incredible passage from the book about the Jingwei Bird, check out my thread on Twitter about Betraying Big Brother.
Parts of this book read like a spy novel. It's astonishing and often heartbreaking to hear how feminists in China have been treated by the state: not only surveilled and intimidated, but thrown in detention and tortured. Despite it all, they form inextricable bonds and help each other out in extraordinary ways. It is a sisterhood that transcends the trauma each has experienced.
Above all else, Betraying Big Brother is an inspiring work. It shows the power of feminism within an oppressive, patriarchal regime. The Feminist Five and other activists (in and out of China) show what can be accomplished, as Li Maizi says in her mantra, with "perseverance, bravery, endurance."
This is a necessary message for feminists and everyone who cares about human rights around the globe. Though authoritarian regimes are on the rise, there is tremendous strength in organizing and promoting gender equality. It threatens the patriarchal systems of power, which is why China has become so adamant about stamping out the threat by any means possible, from censorship to incarceration. This book details all of those ways, as well as the brilliant tactics the movement has used to fight back.
Nevertheless, the feminists in China persist, as should the rest of us. Dr. Hong Fincher's book makes a great case for global feminism's potential for lasting change, and I am grateful to have read this work.
For some further thoughts, plus an incredible passage from the book about the Jingwei Bird, check out my thread on Twitter about Betraying Big Brother.
October 12, 2018
Leta Hong Finscher reports on the contemporary feminist movement in China whose leaders have been harassed, arrested, sometimes beaten and imprisoned. She places this growing feminist activity within the context of 20th Century Chinese feminism before and after the victory of the Chinese Communist Party and its contradictory approach to women's rights. Hong Finscher draws a clear line between the misogyny, patriarchy and authoritarianism of the Chinese Communist Party and outlines the challenges ahead for women's rights activists. Betraying Big Brother belongs in the canon of essential reading for feminist studies world wide. Highly recommended!
September 29, 2020
Betraying Big Brother is an informative read for readers like me who come from mainland China. I appreciate how this book documents the arrest, the detainment, and the final release of the Feminist Five in great detail. I am not very fond of the writing style of this book as the author quotes a lot from other sources directly.
May 27, 2021
China is arguably one of the most powerful countries in the world so it’s extremely interesting to read how this power dynamic and political climate impacts its women. There is definitely a dark and sinister nature of the feminist front this country presents to the rest of the world. I loved the focus on the Feminist Five, a really inspiring bunch of ladies!! My only criticism of the book is that it can read slightly repetitive at times.
June 2, 2022
I don't even know how to process my thoughts on this read. Alarmed by the happenings, embarrassed that I knew so little about it previously, questioning events in the rest of the world that might not be replications of what's happened in China, but are certainly shadows of the same result.
June 10, 2022
A must read for every feminist. An incredible powerful book. Women's rights are never a certainty and when we conquer them somewhere we must keep fighting to never go back to the dark ages. We also must fight alongside every woman's freedom.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews