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Feminists Don't Wear Pink (And Other Lies): Amazing Women on What the F-Word Means to Them
An urgent and inspirational collection of essays by a diverse group of celebrities, activists, and artists about what feminism means to them, with the goal of helping readers come to their own personal understanding of the word.
Feminism has never been more deeply and widely embraced and discussed, but what exactly does the F word mean?
Here, personal stories from actors, writers, and activists explore the contradictions and complications at the heart of the movement. By bridging the gap between feminist hashtags and scholarly texts, these essays bring feminism into clear focus.
Published in partnership with Girl Up, the UN Foundation's adolescent girl campaign, contributors include Hollywood superstars like Saoirse Ronan, activists like Alicia Garza, a founder of Black Lives Matter, and even fictional icons such as Bridget Jones.
Every woman has a different route to their personal understanding of feminism. This empowering collection shows how a diverse group of women found their voice, and it will inspire others to do the same.
Feminism has never been more deeply and widely embraced and discussed, but what exactly does the F word mean?
Here, personal stories from actors, writers, and activists explore the contradictions and complications at the heart of the movement. By bridging the gap between feminist hashtags and scholarly texts, these essays bring feminism into clear focus.
Published in partnership with Girl Up, the UN Foundation's adolescent girl campaign, contributors include Hollywood superstars like Saoirse Ronan, activists like Alicia Garza, a founder of Black Lives Matter, and even fictional icons such as Bridget Jones.
Every woman has a different route to their personal understanding of feminism. This empowering collection shows how a diverse group of women found their voice, and it will inspire others to do the same.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2018
1302 people are currently reading
28568 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,553 reviews
October 19, 2018
Rating this book is pretty tough because I realized pretty fast that I had made a mistake : I was not the public targeted for that collection of essays on feminism. The fact that adult women, older than me, were saying it was a brilliant book that everyone should read made me buy it. But it actually feels more like a book for teenagers, for very young women wanting to know more about that new word they just learned : feminism and not a book for a 30+ woman that has been a feminist since she was 10.
So it's pretty hard for me to write an objective review. I found the book pretty underwhelming, and boring at times. Some essays actually weren't about feminism at all, some were about a very weird conception of feminism. I don't know if I would actually recommand it for young girls that would want to discover feminism, because I'm not sure whether the book actually gives answer at some point. Most (adult) women that wrote in it don't seem to know what feminism is either.
There were some good essays in it. But they were not the majority, and none of them were great. An obsolete read for anyone that knows a little about feminism, I would be pretty interested to have the review of someone belonging to the public targeted.
So it's pretty hard for me to write an objective review. I found the book pretty underwhelming, and boring at times. Some essays actually weren't about feminism at all, some were about a very weird conception of feminism. I don't know if I would actually recommand it for young girls that would want to discover feminism, because I'm not sure whether the book actually gives answer at some point. Most (adult) women that wrote in it don't seem to know what feminism is either.
There were some good essays in it. But they were not the majority, and none of them were great. An obsolete read for anyone that knows a little about feminism, I would be pretty interested to have the review of someone belonging to the public targeted.
November 19, 2019
"The lies we have been told about feminism have been fed to us to hold us back from a movement that is actually for everyone"
I absolutely loved most of the essays in this! I felt inspired, and loved how intersectional most of the essays were. There were some that were not inclusive of trans and non cisgender people which was disappointing.
Overall I really loved and learnt from a lot of the essays and would definitely recommend it!
tw: rape, transphobia
I absolutely loved most of the essays in this! I felt inspired, and loved how intersectional most of the essays were. There were some that were not inclusive of trans and non cisgender people which was disappointing.
Overall I really loved and learnt from a lot of the essays and would definitely recommend it!
tw: rape, transphobia
November 25, 2018
4****
”At a time when we are too often reminded of what divides us, there is common ground to be found when we share our stories.” - Emma Watson.
This is an inspirational and powerful book in the time of #MeToo and other movements and protests surrounding gender equality. This book comprises a plethora of actors, activists, journalists and others of "celebrity" status on what Feminism means to them.
These essays are incredibly personal and each one unique. Each examines what feminism means to that one person and the closeness or contradictions the individual feels and faces within the feminist movement. This was a great book as it brought together essays from a number of women from diverse backgrounds, with an acknowledgment of experiences of intersectional feminism; black feminism/identity, ableism, trans-women.
This book was divided into sections to focus on certain elements of the journey of feminism: epiphany; anger; joy; poetry; action; education; and further reading. This book also provided suggestions for further reading (a nod to "Our Shared Shelf") and your own personal writing space to focus on your own thought and think of your own journey with feminism.
My favourite parts of the book included the Education section and Further reading. I loved the Education section as it provided a comprehensible account of the waves of feminism and groups that had formed and taken action throughout the years. In addition, this book also provided statistics (the advantages of equality in women's education and work) and studies (on the colour pink!) which I loved, as I am interested in data.
I would recommend this to a number of people as it is very current in describing the different elements of feminism and incorporates so many topics relevant to the movement- FGM, periods, motherhood, weight, and many more!
Climate Change? The most cost- effective and practical ways to combat it are the education of girls, and women's reproductive rights.
”At a time when we are too often reminded of what divides us, there is common ground to be found when we share our stories.” - Emma Watson.
This is an inspirational and powerful book in the time of #MeToo and other movements and protests surrounding gender equality. This book comprises a plethora of actors, activists, journalists and others of "celebrity" status on what Feminism means to them.
These essays are incredibly personal and each one unique. Each examines what feminism means to that one person and the closeness or contradictions the individual feels and faces within the feminist movement. This was a great book as it brought together essays from a number of women from diverse backgrounds, with an acknowledgment of experiences of intersectional feminism; black feminism/identity, ableism, trans-women.
This book was divided into sections to focus on certain elements of the journey of feminism: epiphany; anger; joy; poetry; action; education; and further reading. This book also provided suggestions for further reading (a nod to "Our Shared Shelf") and your own personal writing space to focus on your own thought and think of your own journey with feminism.
My favourite parts of the book included the Education section and Further reading. I loved the Education section as it provided a comprehensible account of the waves of feminism and groups that had formed and taken action throughout the years. In addition, this book also provided statistics (the advantages of equality in women's education and work) and studies (on the colour pink!) which I loved, as I am interested in data.
I would recommend this to a number of people as it is very current in describing the different elements of feminism and incorporates so many topics relevant to the movement- FGM, periods, motherhood, weight, and many more!
Climate Change? The most cost- effective and practical ways to combat it are the education of girls, and women's reproductive rights.
November 21, 2018
This book needed half the essays, but at twice the length each. In its current form, it ends up as a collection of punchy but ultimately dissatisfying soundbites.
February 20, 2022
This book was truly motivational, and I feel like it has opened my eyes perhaps a little wider, to what feminism means to some rather amazing women. We all have our own definition of feminism, and exactly what it means to us. We all have different ways of acting on it, if one does at all. We all fight the patriarchy in our own individual ways.
This book contains thoughts, essays and poetry from some truly motivational and frankly, fucking amazing women. Many topics are covered here, such as sexism, the history of the waves of feminism, misogyny, the patriarchy and one I found to be most interesting, periods. Yes, that's right, the menstrual cycle. The cycle that women have through no choice of their own, yet apparently, through the Government's eyes, we should be taxed on tampons and sanitary towels as they are a more luxurious item than say, chocolate digestives. I cannot understand that in the slightest. It makes absolutely no sense.
This book is here, to tell anyone, that they can be exactly who they want to be. This book is not about men hating women that want to go out burning bra's in protest. The accounts in this book are very real, beautiful and thought provoking, and it makes me proud as hell to be a feminist.
This book contains thoughts, essays and poetry from some truly motivational and frankly, fucking amazing women. Many topics are covered here, such as sexism, the history of the waves of feminism, misogyny, the patriarchy and one I found to be most interesting, periods. Yes, that's right, the menstrual cycle. The cycle that women have through no choice of their own, yet apparently, through the Government's eyes, we should be taxed on tampons and sanitary towels as they are a more luxurious item than say, chocolate digestives. I cannot understand that in the slightest. It makes absolutely no sense.
This book is here, to tell anyone, that they can be exactly who they want to be. This book is not about men hating women that want to go out burning bra's in protest. The accounts in this book are very real, beautiful and thought provoking, and it makes me proud as hell to be a feminist.
December 26, 2018
Al ser tantos textos hubo algunos que me encantaron y otros que no me gustaron nada, pero en si el libro me parece interesante ojalá lo hubiera leído a los 18 años.
Es una introducción amable y digerible al feminismo, con voces cercanas y con mucha experiencia, no solo en el tema sino en la lucha diaria de ser mujer en un mundo de hombres.
A veces es repetitivo, así que recomiendo leerlo en cachos, con otras lecturas en medio. Además de ayudar en la repetición, resulta mucho más enriquecedor investigar más de las mujeres que te van interesando sin abrumarte con la cantidad de autoras.
Es una introducción amable y digerible al feminismo, con voces cercanas y con mucha experiencia, no solo en el tema sino en la lucha diaria de ser mujer en un mundo de hombres.
A veces es repetitivo, así que recomiendo leerlo en cachos, con otras lecturas en medio. Además de ayudar en la repetición, resulta mucho más enriquecedor investigar más de las mujeres que te van interesando sin abrumarte con la cantidad de autoras.
March 4, 2019
Originally posted on A Frolic Through Fiction
*Rated 2.5 stars
Picking up this book, I had high expectations. It became an event, with me buddy reading this with my friend Jess and setting time aside in my hectic uni reading schedule to make sure I read it.
And then…eh. I don’t know what happened. I have many, many thoughts.
So, this book is basically a collection of writings from 50(ish) different well-known women about different topics relating to feminism. One thing I do immediately have to praise it for is its inclusivity, and I’m glad a diverse group of women with varying experiences were chosen to participate in the collection.
That being said, with there being so many women included…I feel like this was just not put together too well. The writings were categorised into groups such as “epiphany” (discovering feminism), and I almost wish they weren’t. Grouping discussions like this so closely together just made it sound repetitive, with similar thoughts and topics being covered within 20 pages over and over again. It kind of felt like each woman had free reign to write what she wanted regardless of its place in the collection – which in some cases is fab, but not when the book covers certain topics repeatedly. Maybe it needed curating some more, or even just spread out in a slightly different way…but it quickly became a tad monotonous, which breaks my heart to say.
ALong with that, this book is advertised as a collection of essays, but it really, really isn’t. Some of them are essays, sure. But some are anecdotes, some are fictional short stories, some are simply lists of thing, there’s a random poetry break halfway through…it made my brain hurt. I couldn’t wrap my head around what I was reading. The writer and topic would switch every few pages, and when the form switched too? It sometimes took awhile for me to catch on to what I was reading.
Now it’s not all bad, as negative as it sounds so far. I did enjoy many of the writings. As mentioned before, the diversity is something I’m intensely glad for in this book, and it was definitely the topics relating to race, transgender experiences and lesser talked about topics (like FGM) that caught my attention. I was eager to learn anything new, to hear about things that are generally pushed aside by the media and society as a whole. These topics typically took on a more essay or anecdotal style which I much preferred, and I can’t help but think that this form is one of the best ways to make these women – believe it or not – feel like actual people. Imagine that? Shocker, I know.
Unfortunately, it was just very hit and miss. Some of the writings just went over my head entirely, leaving me sat there thinking “ok…but why did I just read that?” The end message of the book is to take action and push feminism and yet after reading, I’m still not sure how. Especially when a lot of the essays just repeated a lot of what’s shouted about on the internet already, so…what can I do beyond that? I don’t know. Was I meant to know after reading this?
Now I will just say, I’m not new to reading about feminism, and so that’s probably contributing largely to my disappointment in this book. I’ve heard a lot of what’s said in here before, and while it’s important to keep pushing these topics until something’s sorted, I was hoping for something more (hence my main interest coming from the intersectionality of this book). As an introduction to feminism, I do think this could be a fairly informative place to start, so maybe I was just the wrong audience for it *shrugs*
BUT THEN. Here’s where a lot of the contradictory thoughts start getting mixed up…
As Jess pointed out in her reading vlog, it feels like you can’t criticise this book. If you’re a feminist, you’re not allowed to. You can’t escape this book without the message of building other women up and supporting them instead of tearing them down as competition, which I 100% get behind (I mean, we’ve been pitted against each other forever. No more). So…to then come away and criticise the large majority of a book that over 50 women worked towards…honestly it feels like blasphemy. I feel like I’m not allowed to criticise this book without being a bad feminist. And maybe that’s more to do with my own thoughts than anything the book said, but it did really push the idea of not criticising women. But criticism is how we grown as people, and nobody/nothing is perfect. So where’s the loophole?
I don’t know. It’s a messy bunch of thoughts circling this book. I just think – for the most part – that this book would have benefitted with either A.) more curating leading to a variety of specific topics rather than just generalised writings or B.) less people writing more/longer pieces.
Still, it wasn’t awful. It would probably be a good introduction to feminism if you’re wanting to read more into it or discover people hoping to take on a more activist approach. I personally was just expecting more, with less confusion.
March 6, 2020
[нехай світить ваше світло]
Всі історії у цій книзі неймовірні, актуальні і релевантні. Вони про все: починаючи від того, що стоїть за цим словом на Ф глобально і про те, що відчуває по відношенню до цього кожна жінка. Сильно!
Читати рекомендую всім. Не залежно від статі.
Всі історії у цій книзі неймовірні, актуальні і релевантні. Вони про все: починаючи від того, що стоїть за цим словом на Ф глобально і про те, що відчуває по відношенню до цього кожна жінка. Сильно!
Читати рекомендую всім. Не залежно від статі.
March 14, 2021
На останніх сторінках книжки можна знайти аркуші для запису власних міркувань, власної історії фемінізму. Власне, упорядниця так і пропонує: ось, можеш записати; або ж - просто вирви улюблені сторінки і повіш на стіну; або ж - віддай книгу подрузі - що і збираюся зробити 🙂.
Тому свою "історію", своє есе залишу тут.
Виявляється, батьки мене виховали феміністкою. Мені важко згадати, щоб я зазнавала з їхньої сторони чи найближчого оточення рідних дискримінації че��ез те, що я "дівчинка". Якщо щось таке і було, то залишилося на
задвірках свідомості і не дуже, значить, негативно вплинуло на мене теперішню.
Тому, мабуть, я і не розуміла смішків однокласників, коли на повному серйозі казала, що буду президентом.
Ох, якраз щойно згадала одну ситуацію для контексту. Здається, це ми вибирали сукню для першого причастя. І продавчиня така: Ну все, наступний раз - весільна, бо найкраща кар'єра дівчинки - це вдало вийти заміж. На що моя мама, як і на інші схожі слова завжди, помахала головою.
Мені втовкмачили в голову, що я повинна вчитися, здобути вищу освіту і піти на хорошу роботу, яка здатна самостійно, без чоловіка, якщо так складеться по життю, - утримати мене. А про чоловіка тут лунало: якщо погано вчитимешся, то будеш мати чоловіка фірмана або свинопаса. Це з серії - "будеш свиням хвости крутити" 🤭
А якщо вже підсумувати оце і все решта, що не згадаю, то мені вбивали, що як обиратиму (ключове - обиратиму) чоловіка, то він має вартувати мене. А ще, з чим не можу не погодитися і Микола це знає від мене напряму, успіх чоловіка - дуже залежить від жінки. Бо вони - як одне ціле. Але, думаю, що суть тут навіть не в конструкції "жінка-чоловік", а в будь-яких партнерських відносинах - від дружніх до ділових чи романтичних, незалежно від ґендеру. Ніхто не має переважати над іншим у стосунках, зазнавати утиску одне від одного.
Тому зараз у мене цілком рівноправні стосунки у подружжі і вихованні сина, до чого, до речі, був хоч і короткий, але трішки тернистий шлях через мої, визнаю, гормональні збої після народження Яреми. Я виривала можливість працювати на другому році декрету зубами. І все закінчилося (почалося?) тим, що в декреті на півроку фактично опинився чоловік. А ніщо так не відкриває очі на чиєсь буття - як можливість узути того когось черевики.
Що стосується роботи, то тут - так. Тут я вже стикнулася з дискримінацією. І продовжую стикатися у більших чи менших проявах. Мої резюме у 2012-2014 роках відкидалися в більшості тому, що я молода жінка, яка рано чи пізно вийде заміж і захоче народити дитину. Я натрапляла на оголошення вакансій на посаду юриста, де йшлося про "дівчину 22-26 років".
У 2015 році, після двох років просиджування у міській раді без справжньої юридичної роботи, про яку мріяла з 5-го курсу, - я врешті почала працювати юристом і помічником адвоката з реальними справами людей і підприємців. Мій тодішній начальник при прийомі мене на роботу відразу попередив: "майте на увазі, що як тільки завагітнієте, то ми з вами попрощаємося". А, щоб ви розуміли, у цей рік ми з Миколою вже були запланували весілля, і, як майже рік, - разом жили. Пізніше він [начальник] ще купу раз мені це нагадував. А його партнерка по бізнесу (з якою, до речі, він все ж в подальшому розійшовся через відсутність, не в останню чергу, оцієї рівності в ділових стосунках, про яку згадую вище) переконувала мене, що як народжу дитину, то випаду з професії, як і вона, на кілька років.
Наш з ними шлях закінчився тим, що як тільки я набрала необхідний для адвокатського свідоцтва стаж, - я пішла від них. Не плануючи - відразу в іншу юридичну компанію. Але одночасно, не відкладаючи, плановано вагітнію. Але мені щастить отримати в начальниці акулу бізнесу з піврічною дитиною на руках. Пізніше Соломія мене і вириває з декрету. Закріплює в мені мій фемінізм. І хоча в кінцевому результаті ми не знайшли спільну мову та розійшлися з образами і недомовками, - я багато в чому їй завдячую і, надіюся, що якось вона натрапить на цей текст і прийме хоча б цю подяку від мене.
Тому еге ж, склалося так, що у 2017-2019 роках я пережила купу нових переусвідомлень себе як жінки, як мами, як професіонала. І зараз на 30-му році життя я почуваюся цілком самодостатньою і щасливою у всіх сенсах, в тому числі сексуальному. Хоча, звісно, я навіть не на половині життєвого шляху. Ще стільки всього треба зробити і спробувати. Наприклад, виховати правильно сина. А також хороших юристів, як методом спроб і помилок виховували мене і продовжую виховувати сама себе, з допомогою оточення - клієнтів, колег, друзів і рідних.
Погоджуюся, із есеїстками цієї збірки - дуже важливо підтримувати одна одну і мати хороші приклади для наслідування. У мене це, передусім, - мама. І саме мамам в першу чергу радить дякувати Скарлетт Кертіс. Якщо я все ж наважуся і складеться так, що стану мамою дівчинки (чого, пам'ятаючи себе малу, - насправді дуже боюся), - то знаю, як з нею спілкуватися і чого її навчати (читай: з нею навчатися).
Ти можеш гратися ляльками, а в наступний момент бігти ганяти з хлопцями у футбол (навчу, до речі, Ярему, що дівчатам піддаватися у футболі, та й у всьому, - не варто 😁). Дивитися романтичні комедії і мріяти про погляд хлопця із класу, що на два роки старший від твого, а потім зануритися у черговий роман Жуля Верна чи фантазувати, що ти частина Братства Персня. Фарбувати нігті у чорний, чи у квіточки, чи взагалі не фарбувати. Любити хлопців, дівчат, і тих, і тих, або взагалі нікого.
Але головне - любити себе ❤️
Бо без любові до себе - важко вижити в цьому жорстокому, але, водночас, - прекрасному світі.
Тому свою "історію", своє есе залишу тут.
Виявляється, батьки мене виховали феміністкою. Мені важко згадати, щоб я зазнавала з їхньої сторони чи найближчого оточення рідних дискримінації че��ез те, що я "дівчинка". Якщо щось таке і було, то залишилося на
задвірках свідомості і не дуже, значить, негативно вплинуло на мене теперішню.
Тому, мабуть, я і не розуміла смішків однокласників, коли на повному серйозі казала, що буду президентом.
Ох, якраз щойно згадала одну ситуацію для контексту. Здається, це ми вибирали сукню для першого причастя. І продавчиня така: Ну все, наступний раз - весільна, бо найкраща кар'єра дівчинки - це вдало вийти заміж. На що моя мама, як і на інші схожі слова завжди, помахала головою.
Мені втовкмачили в голову, що я повинна вчитися, здобути вищу освіту і піти на хорошу роботу, яка здатна самостійно, без чоловіка, якщо так складеться по життю, - утримати мене. А про чоловіка тут лунало: якщо погано вчитимешся, то будеш мати чоловіка фірмана або свинопаса. Це з серії - "будеш свиням хвости крутити" 🤭
А якщо вже підсумувати оце і все решта, що не згадаю, то мені вбивали, що як обиратиму (ключове - обиратиму) чоловіка, то він має вартувати мене. А ще, з чим не можу не погодитися і Микола це знає від мене напряму, успіх чоловіка - дуже залежить від жінки. Бо вони - як одне ціле. Але, думаю, що суть тут навіть не в конструкції "жінка-чоловік", а в будь-яких партнерських відносинах - від дружніх до ділових чи романтичних, незалежно від ґендеру. Ніхто не має переважати над іншим у стосунках, зазнавати утиску одне від одного.
Тому зараз у мене цілком рівноправні стосунки у подружжі і вихованні сина, до чого, до речі, був хоч і короткий, але трішки тернистий шлях через мої, визнаю, гормональні збої після народження Яреми. Я виривала можливість працювати на другому році декрету зубами. І все закінчилося (почалося?) тим, що в декреті на півроку фактично опинився чоловік. А ніщо так не відкриває очі на чиєсь буття - як можливість узути того когось черевики.
Що стосується роботи, то тут - так. Тут я вже стикнулася з дискримінацією. І продовжую стикатися у більших чи менших проявах. Мої резюме у 2012-2014 роках відкидалися в більшості тому, що я молода жінка, яка рано чи пізно вийде заміж і захоче народити дитину. Я натрапляла на оголошення вакансій на посаду юриста, де йшлося про "дівчину 22-26 років".
У 2015 році, після двох років просиджування у міській раді без справжньої юридичної роботи, про яку мріяла з 5-го курсу, - я врешті почала працювати юристом і помічником адвоката з реальними справами людей і підприємців. Мій тодішній начальник при прийомі мене на роботу відразу попередив: "майте на увазі, що як тільки завагітнієте, то ми з вами попрощаємося". А, щоб ви розуміли, у цей рік ми з Миколою вже були запланували весілля, і, як майже рік, - разом жили. Пізніше він [начальник] ще купу раз мені це нагадував. А його партнерка по бізнесу (з якою, до речі, він все ж в подальшому розійшовся через відсутність, не в останню чергу, оцієї рівності в ділових стосунках, про яку згадую вище) переконувала мене, що як народжу дитину, то випаду з професії, як і вона, на кілька років.
Наш з ними шлях закінчився тим, що як тільки я набрала необхідний для адвокатського свідоцтва стаж, - я пішла від них. Не плануючи - відразу в іншу юридичну компанію. Але одночасно, не відкладаючи, плановано вагітнію. Але мені щастить отримати в начальниці акулу бізнесу з піврічною дитиною на руках. Пізніше Соломія мене і вириває з декрету. Закріплює в мені мій фемінізм. І хоча в кінцевому результаті ми не знайшли спільну мову та розійшлися з образами і недомовками, - я багато в чому їй завдячую і, надіюся, що якось вона натрапить на цей текст і прийме хоча б цю подяку від мене.
Тому еге ж, склалося так, що у 2017-2019 роках я пережила купу нових переусвідомлень себе як жінки, як мами, як професіонала. І зараз на 30-му році життя я почуваюся цілком самодостатньою і щасливою у всіх сенсах, в тому числі сексуальному. Хоча, звісно, я навіть не на половині життєвого шляху. Ще стільки всього треба зробити і спробувати. Наприклад, виховати правильно сина. А також хороших юристів, як методом спроб і помилок виховували мене і продовжую виховувати сама себе, з допомогою оточення - клієнтів, колег, друзів і рідних.
Погоджуюся, із есеїстками цієї збірки - дуже важливо підтримувати одна одну і мати хороші приклади для наслідування. У мене це, передусім, - мама. І саме мамам в першу чергу радить дякувати Скарлетт Кертіс. Якщо я все ж наважуся і складеться так, що стану мамою дівчинки (чого, пам'ятаючи себе малу, - насправді дуже боюся), - то знаю, як з нею спілкуватися і чого її навчати (читай: з нею навчатися).
Ти можеш гратися ляльками, а в наступний момент бігти ганяти з хлопцями у футбол (навчу, до речі, Ярему, що дівчатам піддаватися у футболі, та й у всьому, - не варто 😁). Дивитися романтичні комедії і мріяти про погляд хлопця із класу, що на два роки старший від твого, а потім зануритися у черговий роман Жуля Верна чи фантазувати, що ти частина Братства Персня. Фарбувати нігті у чорний, чи у квіточки, чи взагалі не фарбувати. Любити хлопців, дівчат, і тих, і тих, або взагалі нікого.
Але головне - любити себе ❤️
Бо без любові до себе - важко вижити в цьому жорстокому, але, водночас, - прекрасному світі.
January 2, 2019
Who says feminists can't wear pink?!
What a wonderful way to kick off the new year, with a great book like this!
This book is a collection of personal essays written by a multitude of brave, clever, strong, passionate women. Some of them you might know before you start reading - like Kiera Knightly, Emma Watson and Kat Dennings - others you will want to know after reading their story! Each essay is a personal story of what feminism means to the individual woman.
These stories are wonderful because they are real. They are amazing because they are so diverse. They are marvellous because they made me feel! I was crying, laughing, angered and hopeful all the way through this book.
In all honesty, this book has left me sort of speechless. I have always been a supporter of equality and have myself been on the receiving end of sexism and misogyny, but with this book my eyes were truly opened. After reading this I am filled with an urgent desire to actually go out and do something about these wrongs! To teach my nephews to treat women with the repsect they deserve. To yell back at the man making kissing noises at me while I walk past him on the street. To share my own story just to help enlighten all of those still in the dark.
But first I will encourage all to read this book - men and women alike! Grab this book, read it and learn from it.
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS
I have a mission - to create a world of book lovers. Will you help me?
What a wonderful way to kick off the new year, with a great book like this!
This book is a collection of personal essays written by a multitude of brave, clever, strong, passionate women. Some of them you might know before you start reading - like Kiera Knightly, Emma Watson and Kat Dennings - others you will want to know after reading their story! Each essay is a personal story of what feminism means to the individual woman.
These stories are wonderful because they are real. They are amazing because they are so diverse. They are marvellous because they made me feel! I was crying, laughing, angered and hopeful all the way through this book.
In all honesty, this book has left me sort of speechless. I have always been a supporter of equality and have myself been on the receiving end of sexism and misogyny, but with this book my eyes were truly opened. After reading this I am filled with an urgent desire to actually go out and do something about these wrongs! To teach my nephews to treat women with the repsect they deserve. To yell back at the man making kissing noises at me while I walk past him on the street. To share my own story just to help enlighten all of those still in the dark.
But first I will encourage all to read this book - men and women alike! Grab this book, read it and learn from it.
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS
I have a mission - to create a world of book lovers. Will you help me?
February 15, 2019
Tl;dr - a mixture of cool essays and trite, fluffy pseudo-essays that detracted from the whole.
As many of you know, I've been on a "feminist essay" kick lately, and given that this book had such a wide range of contributors--activists, celebrities, writers, and more--I had high hopes. Those hopes were only partially fulfilled.
The purpose of this book, I think, was to provide a wider-lens picture of feminism, showing women at all different stages of their feminist journeys. There are women who have only recently become aware of their need for feminism, and there are women who have been attending protests for years. There are women still in high school, and there are women who are well into their forties. They speak in anecdotes, poems, manifestos, lists, and more.
Now, some of the essays in this book were brilliant. I loved Evanna Lynch's piece, "Cat Women," a series of musings on periods, feminism, and cat ladies, all in the context of a meeting with a casting agent. Alaa Murabit's "Imposter Syndrome" was a startling look at how often even the most brilliant women are looked down upon and caused to doubt their own abilities. It's no secret that I love Jameela Jamil, and her piece "Tell Him" advocates wonderfully for teaching young boys how to be feminists. Olivia Perez made a list of "10 Ways to Support the Women in Your Life" that was heartfelt and sincere with a dash of humor ("9. Carry lipstick, pain relief like Tylenol or Aspirin, and tampons, always. Save a sister, make a new friend."). And "The Power of the Period" by Amika George was both an ode to that feminine miracle/curse and a plea for feminine hygiene products to be provided all women.
However, with the exception of the above, and a couple other highlights, this book was largely a let-down. A lot of the pieces in it were just a page or two long, basically saying, "I had this one experience and realized the patriarchy is bad." When I came across a couple such essays in a row, I started to get bored and almost gave up on the book. Some of the essays didn't even really seem to be directly about feminism at all, but rather on only tangentially related issues--for example, the reason why the cover of this book is a specific shade of pink. And while there was a nice twenty-ish page essay on the history of feminism, it was the very last essay in the book. Like...what? Wouldn't that be a good starting point, not an ending one?
I'm not saying this book was bad. Some people might really enjoy it, especially since so many of its components are rather "bite-sized," so to speak. It's easy to digest in short sittings or all at once, and the number of big names in it--Karen Gillan, Keira Knightley, and Saoirse Ronan, to name a few--is certainly an attractive feature. And I will give the book props for including, among other things, a transwoman, a disabled woman, and many non-white women, including women not from Europe or America. Intersectionality is great. But overall, in the end, the ratio of high-quality content to filler was just not enough to satisfy me.
As many of you know, I've been on a "feminist essay" kick lately, and given that this book had such a wide range of contributors--activists, celebrities, writers, and more--I had high hopes. Those hopes were only partially fulfilled.
The purpose of this book, I think, was to provide a wider-lens picture of feminism, showing women at all different stages of their feminist journeys. There are women who have only recently become aware of their need for feminism, and there are women who have been attending protests for years. There are women still in high school, and there are women who are well into their forties. They speak in anecdotes, poems, manifestos, lists, and more.
Now, some of the essays in this book were brilliant. I loved Evanna Lynch's piece, "Cat Women," a series of musings on periods, feminism, and cat ladies, all in the context of a meeting with a casting agent. Alaa Murabit's "Imposter Syndrome" was a startling look at how often even the most brilliant women are looked down upon and caused to doubt their own abilities. It's no secret that I love Jameela Jamil, and her piece "Tell Him" advocates wonderfully for teaching young boys how to be feminists. Olivia Perez made a list of "10 Ways to Support the Women in Your Life" that was heartfelt and sincere with a dash of humor ("9. Carry lipstick, pain relief like Tylenol or Aspirin, and tampons, always. Save a sister, make a new friend."). And "The Power of the Period" by Amika George was both an ode to that feminine miracle/curse and a plea for feminine hygiene products to be provided all women.
However, with the exception of the above, and a couple other highlights, this book was largely a let-down. A lot of the pieces in it were just a page or two long, basically saying, "I had this one experience and realized the patriarchy is bad." When I came across a couple such essays in a row, I started to get bored and almost gave up on the book. Some of the essays didn't even really seem to be directly about feminism at all, but rather on only tangentially related issues--for example, the reason why the cover of this book is a specific shade of pink. And while there was a nice twenty-ish page essay on the history of feminism, it was the very last essay in the book. Like...what? Wouldn't that be a good starting point, not an ending one?
I'm not saying this book was bad. Some people might really enjoy it, especially since so many of its components are rather "bite-sized," so to speak. It's easy to digest in short sittings or all at once, and the number of big names in it--Karen Gillan, Keira Knightley, and Saoirse Ronan, to name a few--is certainly an attractive feature. And I will give the book props for including, among other things, a transwoman, a disabled woman, and many non-white women, including women not from Europe or America. Intersectionality is great. But overall, in the end, the ratio of high-quality content to filler was just not enough to satisfy me.
June 6, 2019
Ця книжка стала у моєму житті однією з тих, які береш до рук випадково та закохуєшся безповоротно. В наші дні існує безліч стереотипів довкола фемінізму, які іноді навіть створюють (абсурд, але) самі ж жінки. Книга намагається розвінчати ці безглузді стереотипи в формі дружнього звернення від авторок різноманітних історій, кожна з яких по-своєму особлива, по-своєму вразлива та по-своєму надихаюча. В кожній історії можна побачити ті ж сумніви, думки чи несправедливості, з якими за своє життя стикалась кожна жінка, і цим самим ця книга дає зрозуміти, що кожна з нас не одна в своїй ситуації. Від фаталістичних ситуацій Кет Деннінгс до найінтимнішого зізнання доньці Кіри Найтлі, від жорстокої історії жіночого обрізання в 8-річному віці, яка мало не закінчилась фатально до історії всієї неймовірності жіночої мастурбації як найбільшого джерела задоволення і найбільшого джерела самотності, від історії жінки, яка народилась без матки до історії жінки, яка народилась чоловіком, але завжди відчувала себе жінкою, і через які складнощі пройшла задля зміни статі. Це неймовірна книжка, тому що вона показує всю силу жінок, незламність жінок, надзвичайність жінок. Ця книжка підштовхує до роздумів, викликає емоції і однозначно надихає на подальші дії. Як мінімум - дізнатись більше про фемінізм і долучитись до якогось руху. І після цієї книжки (бо якщо я до цього сумнівалась), можу впевнено сказати, що я феміністка теж.
September 4, 2018
The proof is only around 60 pages so I finished it within an hour BUT in those 60 pages there is so much information on feminism and personal experiences that’s it’s easy to mistake it for a much larger book. I loved being able to see feminism through a variety of perspectives from a wide range of women - I’m currently trying to educate myself more on modern issues including feminism, racial bias etc and this was the perfect first step !
December 23, 2020
This feminist book was a really good read. I really appreciated the balance that was achieved between very informative parts and other parts that narrated more biographical and personal experiences. The book itself was insightful, but it also offered scenes and examples from our everyday life.
If you're looking for something like this, then I recommend this read.
If you're looking for something like this, then I recommend this read.
August 22, 2020
Another difficult one to rate. Feminists Don’t Wear Pink carries such a valuable sentiment; it’s a fairly decent crash course in feminism; it’s so energetic. It breaks my heart slightly to say that it misses the mark.
These are not ‘essays’. Let’s clarify that from the get-go. These entries are more akin to anecdotes. Of course, this is not necessarily an issue; the issue is that they vary so much in quality and relevance that they don’t hang together particularly well as a collection. There are incidents that I actually felt perpetuated some stereotypes, and others that functioned only as filler material.
There are some isolated moments of sheer brilliance: Jameela Jamil’s ‘Tell Him’, a wonderful call to arms for women looking to tackle misogyny in their own homes, and the outstanding ‘The Weaker Sex’ by Keira Knightley, a powerful exposé of motherhood.
Here are some of my favourite sections for your enjoyment:
‘Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t some ‘poor boys’ appeal. It’s just that, in my opinion, it’s as if men are recruited young and brainwashed, in order to be indoctrinated and manipulated into an oppressive patriarchal institution. This is a call to arms for the women who have boys growing up in their houses… We have a lot of work to undo… All you have to do is tell him the truth. Tell him what happened to us.’
‘Kate Middleton had her baby the day after mine. We stand and watch the TV screen. She was out of hospital seven hours later with her face made up and high heels on. The face the world wants to see. Hide. Hide our pain, our bodies splitting, our breasts leaking, our hormones raging. Look beautiful, look stylish, don’t show your battleground, Kate. Seven hours after your fight with life and death, seven hours after your body breaks open, and bloody, screaming life comes out. Don’t show. Don’t tell. Stand there with your girl and be shot by a pack of male photographers. This stuff is easy. It happens every day. What’s the big deal? So does death, you shit-heads, but you don’t have to pretend that’s easy.’
Ugh, it brings tears to my eyes.
I’m so thankful for the relative diversity of experience – it’s a decent specimen of intersectional feminism. I would however have liked to have heard more from trans women in particular.
A book of honourable intentions, but I’d recommend Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s Dear Ijeawele for highly practical feminist advice. This collection is however worth the read purely for the two contributions I have mentioned above.
These are not ‘essays’. Let’s clarify that from the get-go. These entries are more akin to anecdotes. Of course, this is not necessarily an issue; the issue is that they vary so much in quality and relevance that they don’t hang together particularly well as a collection. There are incidents that I actually felt perpetuated some stereotypes, and others that functioned only as filler material.
There are some isolated moments of sheer brilliance: Jameela Jamil’s ‘Tell Him’, a wonderful call to arms for women looking to tackle misogyny in their own homes, and the outstanding ‘The Weaker Sex’ by Keira Knightley, a powerful exposé of motherhood.
Here are some of my favourite sections for your enjoyment:
‘Don’t get me wrong – this isn’t some ‘poor boys’ appeal. It’s just that, in my opinion, it’s as if men are recruited young and brainwashed, in order to be indoctrinated and manipulated into an oppressive patriarchal institution. This is a call to arms for the women who have boys growing up in their houses… We have a lot of work to undo… All you have to do is tell him the truth. Tell him what happened to us.’
‘Kate Middleton had her baby the day after mine. We stand and watch the TV screen. She was out of hospital seven hours later with her face made up and high heels on. The face the world wants to see. Hide. Hide our pain, our bodies splitting, our breasts leaking, our hormones raging. Look beautiful, look stylish, don’t show your battleground, Kate. Seven hours after your fight with life and death, seven hours after your body breaks open, and bloody, screaming life comes out. Don’t show. Don’t tell. Stand there with your girl and be shot by a pack of male photographers. This stuff is easy. It happens every day. What’s the big deal? So does death, you shit-heads, but you don’t have to pretend that’s easy.’
Ugh, it brings tears to my eyes.
I’m so thankful for the relative diversity of experience – it’s a decent specimen of intersectional feminism. I would however have liked to have heard more from trans women in particular.
A book of honourable intentions, but I’d recommend Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche’s Dear Ijeawele for highly practical feminist advice. This collection is however worth the read purely for the two contributions I have mentioned above.
January 9, 2021
Като всеки сборник със събрани съчинения (есета или разкази) и тук се срещат, както много добри текстове, така и не толкова.
За жалост на места преводът е потресаващ. Например, Хърмаяни Грейнджър се е превърнала в „Хърмион Гранджър“, а магистърска степен е преведена като „мастерска степен“. Но най-смущаващ е следният параграф:
„Попадаш в асансьора със странен човек. Случайно споменаваш пред него къде живееш. След като си тръгнеш, той записва адреса ти. На следващия ден стачкува.
Отвлечена си.“
Освен ако не ми е убягнало нещо в контекста, то мисля, че глаголът strike има и друго значение, различно от стачкувам.
Жалко, че от издателството не са се постарали достатъчно, за да се представи един по-качествен продукт.
За жалост на места преводът е потресаващ. Например, Хърмаяни Грейнджър се е превърнала в „Хърмион Гранджър“, а магистърска степен е преведена като „мастерска степен“. Но най-смущаващ е следният параграф:
„Попадаш в асансьора със странен човек. Случайно споменаваш пред него къде живееш. След като си тръгнеш, той записва адреса ти. На следващия ден стачкува.
Отвлечена си.“
Освен ако не ми е убягнало нещо в контекста, то мисля, че глаголът strike има и друго значение, различно от стачкувам.
Жалко, че от издателството не са се постарали достатъчно, за да се представи един по-качествен продукт.
December 11, 2021
Before I start this review, I just want to make it clear that I am a feminist and I still did not like this book. In fact, my feminism is most of the reason why I did not like this book. Just so that no one thinks this is a troll review by an anti-feminist or something.
I've seen a lot of reviews from feminists saying that they realised after they started reading it that they realised they weren't the target audience for this book - but who is the target audience for this book? I have no idea - and I don't think the book does either.
It does seem to market itself to people who aren't feminists or are completely new to feminism. The introduction states that "This book is hopefully here to show you that being a feminist isn't quite what you thought it was" (p. 5). Yet earlier, it also stated that "Most of the amazing women who have contributed to this book probably don't know much more about feminism than you do" (p. 5). In which case, how useful is it going to be for newbie feminists with answers to questions?
In addition, there are plenty of essays that are clearly/explicitly written for feminists:
"So this is for people who already identify as feminists" (A playlists for Feminists in any situation - Akilah Hughes, p. 185)
"As you are reading this, you are either a full-on feminist or thinking about it" (Be a fun feminist - Nimco Ali p. 269)
However, let's assume that this book is intended for newbie feminists. It is still the absolute last thing I would recommend to newbie feminists for the main reason that a lot of these women didn't seem to know what feminism is themselves.
Now don't get me wrong, it's in no way my intention to belittle these women or invalidate the experiences they share. I have respect Girl Up's work, and I appreciate the diversity of the contributors and the emphasis on everyone being a work in progress. There were a few essays that I would recommend to newbie feminists (I only gave this book two stars because of them):
- The Question by Lolly Adefope
- A Brief History of My Womanhood by Charlie Craggs
- Imposter Syndrome by Alaa Murabit
- Feminism, My Vulva and Me by Liv Little
- Women's Bodies by Lydia Wilson
- An Interview with My Mum by Jodie Whittaker
- Sharia State of Mind by Emtithal Mahmoud
- Feminism Is a Verb, Not a Noun by Alica Garza
- A Feminist Call to Action by Jordan Hewson
- If In Your Mind You Are Born A Girl by Tasha Bishop
- If You Can't See It, How Can You Be It by Alice Wroe
- A Short History of Feminist Theory by Claire Horn
However, since this is apparently a feminist book, I'm gonna critique it as such. While there's a lot to say about the "feminist" ideas of this book, these reviews have a limited word count, so I'm going to limit it to three, recurring themes:
One: Women are mystical and magical (because periods)
About once a month, I find myself stretched out on the couch, helpless as my uterus reenacts Game of Thrones' Red Wedding in painstaking detail. I do not enjoy my period. I do not look forward to my period. I could wave goodbye to my period and still feel like a woman.
However, from the way periods are described in some of these essays, I started to doubt whether I'd actually ever had a period or if I was just being stabbed by a ghost every month.
"Our bodies are life-growers by nature, tied to the moon by some invisible yet visceral cord." (My Feminism - Alison Sudol, p. 57)
"Tell him that a long time ago, as far back as you can imagine, men became afraid of women. Women could make people inside their bodies; they could feed those people using just their bodies. They had an extreme and quite scary tolerance for pain, and were distracting and beguiling for men (Tell Him - Jameela Jamil, p. 127) (Side note: this also confuses me as Jamil seems to be suggesting that years of sexism and oppression are mainly due to men being scared of periods?? Source???)
"The ripening of an egg and the release of blood show that we have the ability to create and nurture new life. What could be more empowering than that?" (The Power of the Period - Amika George, p. 277).
If you're a woman and you find your period or giving birth empowering then more power to you. However, I strongly believe that the reason behind ending (for example) period poverty, should not be "because periods are magical and make us women". Period should absolutely be destigmatised because they're a perfectly normal, biological function that impacts 50% of the population - regardless of whether you feel empowered by it or not.
And on that note, this argument also borders dangerously on TERF rhetoric:
"The period is, and always will be, an issue that is exclusive to women. The one thing that women have and men don't. But, because periods don't affect men and we live in a deeply patriarchal world, they are shrouded in shame and apology." (The Power of the Period - Amika George, p. 278.
Fact is, not all women have periods - doesn't make them less of a woman. Similarly, some men have periods - doesn't make them less of a man.
The book does feature an essay by a trans woman (A Brief History of My Womanhood - Charlie Craggs) as well as an essay by a woman born without a womb (If In Your Mind You Are Born A Girl - Tasha Bishop). However, I question the choice of placing their essays next to those of cis women singing about the intrinsic connection between periods and womanhood, with absolutely no context or analysis. It seems to frame the idea that "periods are solely a female issue" as equal to "periods are a human issue" - which it isn't (both in feminism and in general).
Two: But what about men?
While I was reading this book, I had a lot of flashbacks to Emma Watson's "He for She" speech in 2014.
"I hope feminism can do this for me and you and the young women growing up in this climate, and for men - especially for men - who are not adept at embodying their feelings and their truth, and who need women to lead by example and give permission." (Cat Women - Evanna Lynch, p. 31)
"If we're going to be good feminists, then I think we have a responsibility to nurture not only ourselves, but the future men who are going to stand alongside future women." (Alison Sudol, p. 59)
However, this is most clear in Jameela Jamil's Tell Him essay.
"I think so many women have the power to tackle misogyny in their own homes. It starts by never taking for granted how poisonous society can be to the male psyche, and protecting boys from the onslaught of misinformation everywhere" (p. 125)
"This is a call to arms for the women who have boys growing up in their houses" (p. 125)
"All you have to do is tell him the truth" (p. 127)
This is frustrating for several reasons. For example, feminists (and women in general) do talk to their sons about sexism - perhaps now more than ever. If mothers (and why only mothers?) just talking to their sons solved sexism, I think we'd be a lot further on than we currently are.
It also places the responsibility for addressing sexism on individual women. While that's a good start, we need societal change around issues that impact men - e.g. destigmatising mental health support for men, increasing paternity leave, etc. - all issues that feminists are already vocal about and have been for years, Jameela.
There is absolutely a space in feminism for discussing male-centric issues. There are plenty of feminists who discuss and focus on men's issues. Men are great and valuable. But arguing "feminism needs to do more for men" and contributing little else (while overlooking the broader picture of men and feminism) does nothing for anyone.
Three: How can feminism benefit ME
My main issue with this book is the feminism espoused by many of the entries is extremely individualistic: how they have been impacted by sexism and how they've been liberated by feminism.
"Feminists truly believe that if we lived in a world without gender-based oppression, we'd all be so much happier - so, even if you're only joining for purely selfish reasons, we'd love to have you as part of the gang!" (Feminist Comebacks, Scarlett Curtis - p. 211)
It also suggests that there is "no right way" to be a feminist, that everything is individual:
"Maybe it's about being a woman in her truth, fighting for her cause, her dreams, her vision and doing it exactly as she sees fit." (Cat Women, Evanna Lynch - p. 28)
"No two people experience feminism in the same way, but each perspective is valid and important." (Foreword, p. xi
It's true that people do have different experiences and needs under feminism (that's why we have intersectional feminism). It's also true that your experiences as an individual are important.
However, if your feminism is solely motivated by how it benefits you then it's extremely fragile, as a) it only takes someone else with a conflicting experience to devalue it, and b) it makes you much more susceptible to acting only in favour of you and people like you, rather than recognising the challenges facing people who are different - challenges where you may actually be part of the problem.
You can identify as a feminist and act according to your feminism and still hurt the movement as a whole (see SWERFs and TERFs).
Similarly, if you feel more liberated by feminism, that's great - but that does not mean you've made any significant difference to change things for yourself or other people. Feminism is about recognising systems of injustice and inequality, not on individual choices. While there are things we can do in our individual lives to change things, it's important we recognise the bigger picture.
E.g. I understand climate change is real and therefore I recycle. However, while recycling is great, there also need to be bigger, systematic changes if we are to save the planet, such as stopping companies from polluting the oceans and discrediting the "climate denial" movement.
Which is why I almost wept tears of joy when I read the essays that recognise this:
"I want my three granddaughters to be on a level playing field from day one. I want it to be illegal to discriminate, and legislation to be put in place that makes it pointless to discriminate. And don't just say wages are going to be equal - do it now. I want them to be treated with respect, and be equal without asking for it. I want things to move forward." (An Interview with my Mum - Jodie Whittaker, p. 204)
"The older I get the more I discover the depths, the more I realise sexism is a carefully architected system that might take longer than we think to truly decode; that fact alone makes me aware that I am, at twenty-nine, still a feminist with training wheels." (A Feminist Call to Action - Jordan Hewson, p. 289)
I wish this perspective had been emphasised more.
I'm in no way an expert in feminism and there's still plenty of learning I have to do. Not only are books much harder to engage with in terms of starting a dialogue (as opposed to online), but they also occupy a place of authority in society. If you're going to speak from that place of authority, you should know what you're talking about and what you're contributing to the conversation (especially if you're going to sell it for GBP 12.99).
Aside from a few good pieces that deserved much more space than they were given, this book's feminist content was at best fine and at worst several decades out of date. It lacked structure and direction, and was padded out with listicles, short fiction, poems, a playlist for apparently no other reason than to make it thicker.
I wouldn't give it to newbie feminists for fear of confusing them or giving them the wrong idea.
I wouldn't give it to seasoned feminists for fear that they would be insulted and throw it at me.
In short, I have no idea what to do with this book.
But I do know one thing for sure: just because you identify as a feminist, does not mean your ideas are worth publishing.
I've seen a lot of reviews from feminists saying that they realised after they started reading it that they realised they weren't the target audience for this book - but who is the target audience for this book? I have no idea - and I don't think the book does either.
It does seem to market itself to people who aren't feminists or are completely new to feminism. The introduction states that "This book is hopefully here to show you that being a feminist isn't quite what you thought it was" (p. 5). Yet earlier, it also stated that "Most of the amazing women who have contributed to this book probably don't know much more about feminism than you do" (p. 5). In which case, how useful is it going to be for newbie feminists with answers to questions?
In addition, there are plenty of essays that are clearly/explicitly written for feminists:
"So this is for people who already identify as feminists" (A playlists for Feminists in any situation - Akilah Hughes, p. 185)
"As you are reading this, you are either a full-on feminist or thinking about it" (Be a fun feminist - Nimco Ali p. 269)
However, let's assume that this book is intended for newbie feminists. It is still the absolute last thing I would recommend to newbie feminists for the main reason that a lot of these women didn't seem to know what feminism is themselves.
Now don't get me wrong, it's in no way my intention to belittle these women or invalidate the experiences they share. I have respect Girl Up's work, and I appreciate the diversity of the contributors and the emphasis on everyone being a work in progress. There were a few essays that I would recommend to newbie feminists (I only gave this book two stars because of them):
- The Question by Lolly Adefope
- A Brief History of My Womanhood by Charlie Craggs
- Imposter Syndrome by Alaa Murabit
- Feminism, My Vulva and Me by Liv Little
- Women's Bodies by Lydia Wilson
- An Interview with My Mum by Jodie Whittaker
- Sharia State of Mind by Emtithal Mahmoud
- Feminism Is a Verb, Not a Noun by Alica Garza
- A Feminist Call to Action by Jordan Hewson
- If In Your Mind You Are Born A Girl by Tasha Bishop
- If You Can't See It, How Can You Be It by Alice Wroe
- A Short History of Feminist Theory by Claire Horn
However, since this is apparently a feminist book, I'm gonna critique it as such. While there's a lot to say about the "feminist" ideas of this book, these reviews have a limited word count, so I'm going to limit it to three, recurring themes:
One: Women are mystical and magical (because periods)
About once a month, I find myself stretched out on the couch, helpless as my uterus reenacts Game of Thrones' Red Wedding in painstaking detail. I do not enjoy my period. I do not look forward to my period. I could wave goodbye to my period and still feel like a woman.
However, from the way periods are described in some of these essays, I started to doubt whether I'd actually ever had a period or if I was just being stabbed by a ghost every month.
"Our bodies are life-growers by nature, tied to the moon by some invisible yet visceral cord." (My Feminism - Alison Sudol, p. 57)
"Tell him that a long time ago, as far back as you can imagine, men became afraid of women. Women could make people inside their bodies; they could feed those people using just their bodies. They had an extreme and quite scary tolerance for pain, and were distracting and beguiling for men (Tell Him - Jameela Jamil, p. 127) (Side note: this also confuses me as Jamil seems to be suggesting that years of sexism and oppression are mainly due to men being scared of periods?? Source???)
"The ripening of an egg and the release of blood show that we have the ability to create and nurture new life. What could be more empowering than that?" (The Power of the Period - Amika George, p. 277).
If you're a woman and you find your period or giving birth empowering then more power to you. However, I strongly believe that the reason behind ending (for example) period poverty, should not be "because periods are magical and make us women". Period should absolutely be destigmatised because they're a perfectly normal, biological function that impacts 50% of the population - regardless of whether you feel empowered by it or not.
And on that note, this argument also borders dangerously on TERF rhetoric:
"The period is, and always will be, an issue that is exclusive to women. The one thing that women have and men don't. But, because periods don't affect men and we live in a deeply patriarchal world, they are shrouded in shame and apology." (The Power of the Period - Amika George, p. 278.
Fact is, not all women have periods - doesn't make them less of a woman. Similarly, some men have periods - doesn't make them less of a man.
The book does feature an essay by a trans woman (A Brief History of My Womanhood - Charlie Craggs) as well as an essay by a woman born without a womb (If In Your Mind You Are Born A Girl - Tasha Bishop). However, I question the choice of placing their essays next to those of cis women singing about the intrinsic connection between periods and womanhood, with absolutely no context or analysis. It seems to frame the idea that "periods are solely a female issue" as equal to "periods are a human issue" - which it isn't (both in feminism and in general).
Two: But what about men?
While I was reading this book, I had a lot of flashbacks to Emma Watson's "He for She" speech in 2014.
"I hope feminism can do this for me and you and the young women growing up in this climate, and for men - especially for men - who are not adept at embodying their feelings and their truth, and who need women to lead by example and give permission." (Cat Women - Evanna Lynch, p. 31)
"If we're going to be good feminists, then I think we have a responsibility to nurture not only ourselves, but the future men who are going to stand alongside future women." (Alison Sudol, p. 59)
However, this is most clear in Jameela Jamil's Tell Him essay.
"I think so many women have the power to tackle misogyny in their own homes. It starts by never taking for granted how poisonous society can be to the male psyche, and protecting boys from the onslaught of misinformation everywhere" (p. 125)
"This is a call to arms for the women who have boys growing up in their houses" (p. 125)
"All you have to do is tell him the truth" (p. 127)
This is frustrating for several reasons. For example, feminists (and women in general) do talk to their sons about sexism - perhaps now more than ever. If mothers (and why only mothers?) just talking to their sons solved sexism, I think we'd be a lot further on than we currently are.
It also places the responsibility for addressing sexism on individual women. While that's a good start, we need societal change around issues that impact men - e.g. destigmatising mental health support for men, increasing paternity leave, etc. - all issues that feminists are already vocal about and have been for years, Jameela.
There is absolutely a space in feminism for discussing male-centric issues. There are plenty of feminists who discuss and focus on men's issues. Men are great and valuable. But arguing "feminism needs to do more for men" and contributing little else (while overlooking the broader picture of men and feminism) does nothing for anyone.
Three: How can feminism benefit ME
My main issue with this book is the feminism espoused by many of the entries is extremely individualistic: how they have been impacted by sexism and how they've been liberated by feminism.
"Feminists truly believe that if we lived in a world without gender-based oppression, we'd all be so much happier - so, even if you're only joining for purely selfish reasons, we'd love to have you as part of the gang!" (Feminist Comebacks, Scarlett Curtis - p. 211)
It also suggests that there is "no right way" to be a feminist, that everything is individual:
"Maybe it's about being a woman in her truth, fighting for her cause, her dreams, her vision and doing it exactly as she sees fit." (Cat Women, Evanna Lynch - p. 28)
"No two people experience feminism in the same way, but each perspective is valid and important." (Foreword, p. xi
It's true that people do have different experiences and needs under feminism (that's why we have intersectional feminism). It's also true that your experiences as an individual are important.
However, if your feminism is solely motivated by how it benefits you then it's extremely fragile, as a) it only takes someone else with a conflicting experience to devalue it, and b) it makes you much more susceptible to acting only in favour of you and people like you, rather than recognising the challenges facing people who are different - challenges where you may actually be part of the problem.
You can identify as a feminist and act according to your feminism and still hurt the movement as a whole (see SWERFs and TERFs).
Similarly, if you feel more liberated by feminism, that's great - but that does not mean you've made any significant difference to change things for yourself or other people. Feminism is about recognising systems of injustice and inequality, not on individual choices. While there are things we can do in our individual lives to change things, it's important we recognise the bigger picture.
E.g. I understand climate change is real and therefore I recycle. However, while recycling is great, there also need to be bigger, systematic changes if we are to save the planet, such as stopping companies from polluting the oceans and discrediting the "climate denial" movement.
Which is why I almost wept tears of joy when I read the essays that recognise this:
"I want my three granddaughters to be on a level playing field from day one. I want it to be illegal to discriminate, and legislation to be put in place that makes it pointless to discriminate. And don't just say wages are going to be equal - do it now. I want them to be treated with respect, and be equal without asking for it. I want things to move forward." (An Interview with my Mum - Jodie Whittaker, p. 204)
"The older I get the more I discover the depths, the more I realise sexism is a carefully architected system that might take longer than we think to truly decode; that fact alone makes me aware that I am, at twenty-nine, still a feminist with training wheels." (A Feminist Call to Action - Jordan Hewson, p. 289)
I wish this perspective had been emphasised more.
I'm in no way an expert in feminism and there's still plenty of learning I have to do. Not only are books much harder to engage with in terms of starting a dialogue (as opposed to online), but they also occupy a place of authority in society. If you're going to speak from that place of authority, you should know what you're talking about and what you're contributing to the conversation (especially if you're going to sell it for GBP 12.99).
Aside from a few good pieces that deserved much more space than they were given, this book's feminist content was at best fine and at worst several decades out of date. It lacked structure and direction, and was padded out with listicles, short fiction, poems, a playlist for apparently no other reason than to make it thicker.
I wouldn't give it to newbie feminists for fear of confusing them or giving them the wrong idea.
I wouldn't give it to seasoned feminists for fear that they would be insulted and throw it at me.
In short, I have no idea what to do with this book.
But I do know one thing for sure: just because you identify as a feminist, does not mean your ideas are worth publishing.
July 11, 2019
Що таке фемінізм – зубата античоловіча лякалка чи невичерпне джерело сили і натхнення? Чи можна бути феміністкою – і водночас фарбувати губи, виходити заміж, готувати недільні сніданки для сім’ї? Чи потрібна боротьба за права жінок у світі, де ці права, здавалося б, чітко задекларовані і прописані у найважливіших документах? Збірка есеїв від відомих жінок-феміністок не лише відповість на ці запитання, а й розвіє чимало міфів та вигадок про фемінізм і відкриє очі не речі, про які ви, можливо, досі не задумувалися.
Фемінізм – це для мене, насамперед, сила дівчат, яка здатна руйнувати стіни, будувати мости й творити дива. Це потужна підтримка інших дівчат і жінок, як діляться досвідом, простягають руку допомоги, дають відчуття міцного ґрунту під ногами і надійної стіни за спиною. Саме жінки озвучують проблеми жінок – чи то «скляна стеля», чи то ускладнений доступ до освіти дівчат, які народилися у країнах третього світу або в дуже патріархальних суспільствах, чи то шеймінг, знецінення і дискримінація, яких дівчата зазнають через природні анатомічні особливості. І саме жінки з цим борються, засновуючи громадські рухи, благодійні фонди, освітні проекти і соціальні ініціативи.
Серед авторок цієї книжки – засновниця Клубу сумних дівчат, в якому допомагають дівчатам із психічними захворюваннями, кілька лідерок руху Girl Up, який об’єднує дівчат з усього світу, котрі змінюють світ, співзасновниця руху «Життя темношкірих важливе», що бореться проти насильства і дискримінації найвразливішої категорії – не-білих трансгендерних жінок, і ініціаторка кампанії #БезплатніМісячні, яка закликає британський уряд забезпечити школярок і студенток безкоштовними засобами гігієни (бо коштують вони недешево – як, зрештою, і в нашій країні). Усі ці неймовірні жінки – активістки, літераторки, акторки – несамовито надихають і закликають не лише відстоювати власні права, а й підтримувати посестер, які почуваються слабшими.
Нам довго нав’язували думку, що фемінізм – це про ненависть і боротьбу. Досить прочитати бодай декілька есеїв із цієї збірки, щоб упевнитися: фемінізм – це про любов, повагу і рівність. Феміністки воюють не з чоловіками, а з патріархальними установками (які, до слова, неслабо шкодять і чоловікам). Феміністки борються не з «традиційними цінностями», а із загрозами та обмеженнями, які ці цінності несуть. Феміністки не йдуть усупереч своїй «жіночій природі» (о, як цей вираз полюбляють сексисти усіх мастей!), а наполягають, аби їх із цією ж таки природою – з розмаїттям типів фігур, кольорів шкіри, волосся й очей, з віковими змінами, з менструаціями і фізіологічними аспектами – сприймали цілісно і рівноцінно. Щоб не застосовували різні інструменти тиску, спонукаючи наблизитися до тих чи інших стандартів. Щоб шанували усіх і кожну зокрема.
І – так, авжеж, феміністки можуть носити рожевий, як і всі інші кольори, і з задоволенням це роблять. Феміністки можуть бути жіночними і вразливими, спортивними і міцними, кохати будь-яку іншу людину, займатися творчістю чи кувати метал. Вони свідомі того, що за замовчуванням не повинні нічого нікому доводити. Але мусять робити це у світі, в якому існує мільйон обмежень і утисків для тих, хто народився жінкою. Фемінізм – це історія про свободу. Свою, твою, її і всіх інших дівчат та жінок.
Фемінізм – це для мене, насамперед, сила дівчат, яка здатна руйнувати стіни, будувати мости й творити дива. Це потужна підтримка інших дівчат і жінок, як діляться досвідом, простягають руку допомоги, дають відчуття міцного ґрунту під ногами і надійної стіни за спиною. Саме жінки озвучують проблеми жінок – чи то «скляна стеля», чи то ускладнений доступ до освіти дівчат, які народилися у країнах третього світу або в дуже патріархальних суспільствах, чи то шеймінг, знецінення і дискримінація, яких дівчата зазнають через природні анатомічні особливості. І саме жінки з цим борються, засновуючи громадські рухи, благодійні фонди, освітні проекти і соціальні ініціативи.
Серед авторок цієї книжки – засновниця Клубу сумних дівчат, в якому допомагають дівчатам із психічними захворюваннями, кілька лідерок руху Girl Up, який об’єднує дівчат з усього світу, котрі змінюють світ, співзасновниця руху «Життя темношкірих важливе», що бореться проти насильства і дискримінації найвразливішої категорії – не-білих трансгендерних жінок, і ініціаторка кампанії #БезплатніМісячні, яка закликає британський уряд забезпечити школярок і студенток безкоштовними засобами гігієни (бо коштують вони недешево – як, зрештою, і в нашій країні). Усі ці неймовірні жінки – активістки, літераторки, акторки – несамовито надихають і закликають не лише відстоювати власні права, а й підтримувати посестер, які почуваються слабшими.
Нам довго нав’язували думку, що фемінізм – це про ненависть і боротьбу. Досить прочитати бодай декілька есеїв із цієї збірки, щоб упевнитися: фемінізм – це про любов, повагу і рівність. Феміністки воюють не з чоловіками, а з патріархальними установками (які, до слова, неслабо шкодять і чоловікам). Феміністки борються не з «традиційними цінностями», а із загрозами та обмеженнями, які ці цінності несуть. Феміністки не йдуть усупереч своїй «жіночій природі» (о, як цей вираз полюбляють сексисти усіх мастей!), а наполягають, аби їх із цією ж таки природою – з розмаїттям типів фігур, кольорів шкіри, волосся й очей, з віковими змінами, з менструаціями і фізіологічними аспектами – сприймали цілісно і рівноцінно. Щоб не застосовували різні інструменти тиску, спонукаючи наблизитися до тих чи інших стандартів. Щоб шанували усіх і кожну зокрема.
І – так, авжеж, феміністки можуть носити рожевий, як і всі інші кольори, і з задоволенням це роблять. Феміністки можуть бути жіночними і вразливими, спортивними і міцними, кохати будь-яку іншу людину, займатися творчістю чи кувати метал. Вони свідомі того, що за замовчуванням не повинні нічого нікому доводити. Але мусять робити це у світі, в якому існує мільйон обмежень і утисків для тих, хто народився жінкою. Фемінізм – це історія про свободу. Свою, твою, її і всіх інших дівчат та жінок.
May 6, 2020
Феміністки не носять рожевого та інші вигадки.
Стільки стереотипів щодо феміністок, аж шкода, що стільки часу і ресурсів йде на розвіювання міфів замість боротьби за рівноправ’я. Тут на допомогу приходить збірка Скартлетт Кертіс, в якій відомі жінки діляться власними історіями: як вони вирішили, що потрібно боротися за рівноправ’я, коли почали називати себе феміністками і який життєвий досвід показав їм, скільки проблем ще не подолано. А ще ця збірка чудово показує, що фемінізм буває різним.
Історії дуже надихаючі, деякі шокуючі, після одних усміхаєшся, а від інших хочеться плакати. Світ несправедливий, але до жінок, на жаль, особливо несправедливий. У збірці почуєте голоси Сірши Ронан (обожнюю її в Lady Bird і Little Women), Еванни Лінч (дивовижна Луна Лавґуд), Кет Деннінґс (читала і сміялася крізь сльози; прекрасне есе про життєві ситуації, які можуть для жінки закінчитися викраденням. Спойлер: будь-які), Кіри Найтлі (дуже чуттєва розповідь про день, коли народилася її донька і про те, як бути працюючою мамою), Карен Ґіллан (одна з моїх улюблених супутниць Доктора Хто), Джоді Віттакер (перша жінка у ролі Доктора Хто), і Емми Вотсон (надає список книжок про сильних жінок).
⠀
А ще прекрасні історії активісток, які виступають як за рівноправ’я загалом, так і концентруються на темах проти калічення жіночих статевих органів, боряться за освіту для дівчат/жінок (наприклад, у Малаві) чи за забезпечення школярок і студенток коледжів безкоштовними засобами гігієни (а ви знали, що у Британії є «податок на тампони», але на популярне печиво Jaffa Cakes та багато інших товарів – ні?; чи знали, що деякі дівчатка у Британії пропускають уроки в школі по тижню на місяць, бо їхні батьки не мають грошей купити їм прокладки чи тампони? От вам потім і «рівні умови» при отриманні знань, подальшому вступі в коледж та майбутньому загалом. І це в Британії!).
⠀
Сподобалося ще оформлення книжки, тут влучні фрази винесені на окрему сторінку. Так книжку можна просто гортати і завжди потрапляти на якусь надихаючу цитату.
Можу довго розповідати про все, але краще візьміть цю збірку і прочитайте. У ній цілий дивовижний світ.
Стільки стереотипів щодо феміністок, аж шкода, що стільки часу і ресурсів йде на розвіювання міфів замість боротьби за рівноправ’я. Тут на допомогу приходить збірка Скартлетт Кертіс, в якій відомі жінки діляться власними історіями: як вони вирішили, що потрібно боротися за рівноправ’я, коли почали називати себе феміністками і який життєвий досвід показав їм, скільки проблем ще не подолано. А ще ця збірка чудово показує, що фемінізм буває різним.
Історії дуже надихаючі, деякі шокуючі, після одних усміхаєшся, а від інших хочеться плакати. Світ несправедливий, але до жінок, на жаль, особливо несправедливий. У збірці почуєте голоси Сірши Ронан (обожнюю її в Lady Bird і Little Women), Еванни Лінч (дивовижна Луна Лавґуд), Кет Деннінґс (читала і сміялася крізь сльози; прекрасне есе про життєві ситуації, які можуть для жінки закінчитися викраденням. Спойлер: будь-які), Кіри Найтлі (дуже чуттєва розповідь про день, коли народилася її донька і про те, як бути працюючою мамою), Карен Ґіллан (одна з моїх улюблених супутниць Доктора Хто), Джоді Віттакер (перша жінка у ролі Доктора Хто), і Емми Вотсон (надає список книжок про сильних жінок).
⠀
А ще прекрасні історії активісток, які виступають як за рівноправ’я загалом, так і концентруються на темах проти калічення жіночих статевих органів, боряться за освіту для дівчат/жінок (наприклад, у Малаві) чи за забезпечення школярок і студенток коледжів безкоштовними засобами гігієни (а ви знали, що у Британії є «податок на тампони», але на популярне печиво Jaffa Cakes та багато інших товарів – ні?; чи знали, що деякі дівчатка у Британії пропускають уроки в школі по тижню на місяць, бо їхні батьки не мають грошей купити їм прокладки чи тампони? От вам потім і «рівні умови» при отриманні знань, подальшому вступі в коледж та майбутньому загалом. І це в Британії!).
⠀
Сподобалося ще оформлення книжки, тут влучні фрази винесені на окрему сторінку. Так книжку можна просто гортати і завжди потрапляти на якусь надихаючу цитату.
Можу довго розповідати про все, але краще візьміть цю збірку і прочитайте. У ній цілий дивовижний світ.
August 11, 2019
Писати рев'ю на нон-фікшин завжди важче, ніж на художню літературу, бо в худліті тобі або подобається, або ні, затягує, або ні, і тут всьому причиною автор, герої, їхні вчинки тощо, а от НФ важко оцінити однозначно, бо так чи інакше - якщо ти взялася за конкретну книжку, то чомусь ти її почала. Якщо тобі вона подобається, то чимось вона тебе зачепила, щось зрезонувало - але це щось у всіх досвідах завжди різне.
Мені далеко до активного фемінізму, яким займаються дівчата та жінки, чиї есе Скарлетт Кертіс вмістила у цій книжці. Все, на що мене поки вистарчає - обстоювати власну думку, нагатися захищати позиції інших дівчаток (хлопці, вас не забуваю, та, повірте, чомусь більше каменюк і образ зустрічала все-таки в нашу сторону), а ще - тримати в голові фразі Маделін Олбрайт про те, що "є спеціальне пекло для жінок, які не допомагають іншим жінкам". Я не ідеальна феміністка, та спасибі всім авторкам "Феміністки не носять рожевого..." в тому, що переконали - бути навіть такою - прекрасно.
З особливо резонуючих есе - "Котолюбки" Еванни Лінч, "Мій фемінізм" Елісон Судол, "Фемінізм, моя вульва і я" Лів Литтл, "Розкажіть йому" Джаміли Джаміл, "Білі жінки без бюстгальтерів" Анджели Ї, "10 способів підтримати жінок у твоєму житті" Олівії Перес, "Стань веселою феміністкою" Німко Алі, "Як викорінити внутрішню мізогінію" Доллі Олдертон і, звісно, "Слабка стать" Кіри Найтлі: "Я не слабка стать. Ти не слабка стать. Ми не слабка стать".
p.s. Ще б додала сюди есе Анджеліни Джолі для британського ELLE та Емілі Ратажковскі для Harper's Bazaar.
p.s. 2. А 4* тому, що мені все-таки не вистачало деяких порівняльних і справедливих фактів. Наприклад, коли мова йшла про те, що щодня у світі 130 мільйонів дівчаток не мають змоги піти до школи, хотілося б бачити статистику по хлопчиках - захист прав не має бути однобоким, навіть якщо ми говоримо про фемінізм.
Мені далеко до активного фемінізму, яким займаються дівчата та жінки, чиї есе Скарлетт Кертіс вмістила у цій книжці. Все, на що мене поки вистарчає - обстоювати власну думку, нагатися захищати позиції інших дівчаток (хлопці, вас не забуваю, та, повірте, чомусь більше каменюк і образ зустрічала все-таки в нашу сторону), а ще - тримати в голові фразі Маделін Олбрайт про те, що "є спеціальне пекло для жінок, які не допомагають іншим жінкам". Я не ідеальна феміністка, та спасибі всім авторкам "Феміністки не носять рожевого..." в тому, що переконали - бути навіть такою - прекрасно.
З особливо резонуючих есе - "Котолюбки" Еванни Лінч, "Мій фемінізм" Елісон Судол, "Фемінізм, моя вульва і я" Лів Литтл, "Розкажіть йому" Джаміли Джаміл, "Білі жінки без бюстгальтерів" Анджели Ї, "10 способів підтримати жінок у твоєму житті" Олівії Перес, "Стань веселою феміністкою" Німко Алі, "Як викорінити внутрішню мізогінію" Доллі Олдертон і, звісно, "Слабка стать" Кіри Найтлі: "Я не слабка стать. Ти не слабка стать. Ми не слабка стать".
p.s. Ще б додала сюди есе Анджеліни Джолі для британського ELLE та Емілі Ратажковскі для Harper's Bazaar.
p.s. 2. А 4* тому, що мені все-таки не вистачало деяких порівняльних і справедливих фактів. Наприклад, коли мова йшла про те, що щодня у світі 130 мільйонів дівчаток не мають змоги піти до школи, хотілося б бачити статистику по хлопчиках - захист прав не має бути однобоким, навіть якщо ми говоримо про фемінізм.
June 16, 2020
After starting this book, I quickly began to feel like maybe it wasn't exactly meant for me. Which is kind of strange, because I'm a feminist and this is a book about feminism. And moreover, I consider myself an inclusive feminist and this book was definitely aiming for inclusive feminism as well. But it's very much Feminism 101, and even though I fully believe being an inclusive feminist is an ongoing process, this book was a little too basic for me at times.
That's not to say it's not a valuable book. Especially because of the inclusive essays, I really do think it would be a great read for teens trying to familiarize themselves with feminism.
The good thing about this are the varied perspectives. Because so many women of different backgrounds and with different identities contributed to this anthology, it's a great introductory read that never lectures the reader or imposes a one-sided idea on them of what feminism should be. That said, the essays did become a bit repetitive for me after a while.
All in all, I think this is worth the read if you're unsure about what feminism means to you or if you just want to get more of a grasp on the basics. It was good to see how inclusive it was, but I would still very much recommend reading it with a critical eye (not that you shouldn't always do that).
CWs: misogyny/sexism, mentions of rape, mentions of transphobia, description of genital mutilation, racism.
That's not to say it's not a valuable book. Especially because of the inclusive essays, I really do think it would be a great read for teens trying to familiarize themselves with feminism.
The good thing about this are the varied perspectives. Because so many women of different backgrounds and with different identities contributed to this anthology, it's a great introductory read that never lectures the reader or imposes a one-sided idea on them of what feminism should be. That said, the essays did become a bit repetitive for me after a while.
All in all, I think this is worth the read if you're unsure about what feminism means to you or if you just want to get more of a grasp on the basics. It was good to see how inclusive it was, but I would still very much recommend reading it with a critical eye (not that you shouldn't always do that).
CWs: misogyny/sexism, mentions of rape, mentions of transphobia, description of genital mutilation, racism.
September 7, 2019
Чесно, навіть не знаю, що написати. Вся переповнена емоціями. Одне скажу точно: цю книжку потрібно прочитати кожній!!!
«Ідеальних феміністок не буває. Ця фраза - такий собі оксиморон. Феміністки користають із недосконалостей. Вони перетворюють слабкість на перевагу, а вразливість на силу. Вони беруться за зламану систему і знаходять спосіб, як перетворити її вади на можливості, а потім беруться за зламаних дівчат і знаходять спосіб повернути їм цілісність.»
«Ти, я і ми всі від народження наділені здатністю змінити світ на краще.»
Я знаю, що тільки починаю свій шлях, мені ще стільки всього треба дізнатися про фемінізм, але одне я знаю точно. Я - феміністка 💔
«Ідеальних феміністок не буває. Ця фраза - такий собі оксиморон. Феміністки користають із недосконалостей. Вони перетворюють слабкість на перевагу, а вразливість на силу. Вони беруться за зламану систему і знаходять спосіб, як перетворити її вади на можливості, а потім беруться за зламаних дівчат і знаходять спосіб повернути їм цілісність.»
«Ти, я і ми всі від народження наділені здатністю змінити світ на краще.»
Я знаю, що тільки починаю свій шлях, мені ще стільки всього треба дізнатися про фемінізм, але одне я знаю точно. Я - феміністка 💔
April 30, 2019
Μερικά από τα κείμενα όμως ήταν καταπληκτικά!
March 17, 2019
I think that this book is a great introduction to feminism and if you're looking to read more on that topic, it's a good place to start! It is a very intersectional read and included experiences from so many different women and I loved that about it.
I have to say that it did feel a bit repetitive at times, because the writings were organized in different collections, such as 'epiphany', 'anger', 'poetry break' and such (also I'm not a *huge* fan of poetry, but that's another matter altogether). As it's a collection, I loved some of the writings (especially those about lesser talked about topics), when I wasn't convinced by others. As 50 women contributed to this book, I wish some pieces had been longer, because they did feel a bit rushed at times, and I didn't get as much out of them as I did from others. Moreover, as I'm not new to reading about feminism, I feel like I only learnt something new from a minority of writing pieces, so that was a bit of a let-down, but the book isn't at fault in that! Like I said, I think it's a great introduction to feminism, but as I already knew quite a bit about that topic, I wanted to learn more new things and I didn't.
So basically, I liked it! I wish I had enjoyed it a bit more, but it was quite interesting to read about so many different women's thoughts on feminism.
I have to say that it did feel a bit repetitive at times, because the writings were organized in different collections, such as 'epiphany', 'anger', 'poetry break' and such (also I'm not a *huge* fan of poetry, but that's another matter altogether). As it's a collection, I loved some of the writings (especially those about lesser talked about topics), when I wasn't convinced by others. As 50 women contributed to this book, I wish some pieces had been longer, because they did feel a bit rushed at times, and I didn't get as much out of them as I did from others. Moreover, as I'm not new to reading about feminism, I feel like I only learnt something new from a minority of writing pieces, so that was a bit of a let-down, but the book isn't at fault in that! Like I said, I think it's a great introduction to feminism, but as I already knew quite a bit about that topic, I wanted to learn more new things and I didn't.
So basically, I liked it! I wish I had enjoyed it a bit more, but it was quite interesting to read about so many different women's thoughts on feminism.
December 30, 2018
1.5 stars (half star cuz I liked one of the pieces)
The standout is undoubtedly "Weaker Sex" by Keira Knightley. 4 stars if that was the only piece in the book.
The book just lacked cohesion. There was an attempt for some structure by the various phases in one's feminist journey: epiphany, anger, joy, action, education and a completely random and unnecessary "poetry break".
Each piece varied so much in length and depth. Was the brief simply to write anything at all related to feminism?
As much as I adore Saoirse Ronan as an actor, having her piece as the opener was incredibly underwhelming.
The standout is undoubtedly "Weaker Sex" by Keira Knightley. 4 stars if that was the only piece in the book.
The book just lacked cohesion. There was an attempt for some structure by the various phases in one's feminist journey: epiphany, anger, joy, action, education and a completely random and unnecessary "poetry break".
Each piece varied so much in length and depth. Was the brief simply to write anything at all related to feminism?
As much as I adore Saoirse Ronan as an actor, having her piece as the opener was incredibly underwhelming.
July 28, 2020
I read in English but this review is written in Bahasa Indonesia
Judulnya cukup provokatif. Apalagi mengingat terminologi "feminis" di Indonesia seringkali diasosiasikan dengn "social justice warrior" atau SJW. Katanya, kaum yang "feminis" itu sukanya marah-marah dan punya standar ganda. Begitu pula di luar negeri. Terminologi "feminis" dekat dengan pemaknaan akan sesuatu yang "melawan" kodrat sehingga ketika seseorang melabeli dirinya dengan "feminis", maka seharusnya (ujar warganet) dia tidak menggunakan warna pink.
Stigma itulah yang coba untuk dikupas dan dibahas oleh beberapa aktivis kesetaraan gender dalam buku ini. Scarlett Curtis selaku kurator, menyajikan tulisan-tulisan yang bisa merepresentasikan keadaan di lapangan terhadap apa yang tengah diperjuangkan oleh para aktivitas kesertaraan gender tersebut.
Tidak pernah bosan rasanya ketika membahas tentang persamaan upah pekerja (equal pay). Tapi, dalam tulisan di buku ini, dijelaskan pula, memangnya mengapa sih kok wanita bisa sampai mendapatkan upah yang tidak sama dengan pria. Padahal jam kerjanya sama, pekerjaan yang dilakukan pun juga sama.
Begitu pula dengan akses terhadap pendidikan. Maraknya pernikahan anak di negara dunia ketiga (termasuk di Indonesia, sesungguhnya) memiliki efek terhadap pendidikan. Dan tentu saja, berujung pada roda perekonomian. Salah satu tulisan di dalam memberikan gambaran yang jelas apa yang bisa saja terjadi ketika anak-anak remaja putri itu dimasukkan ke sekolah ketimbang langsung dinikahkan begitu saja kepada pria yang bersedia membayar mahal.
Dua topik itu baru secuplik isi Feminists Don't Wear Pink. Beberapa aktivitas mengkorelasikan perjuangan keadilan gender melalui pengalaman pribadinya sehingga mereka tergerak untuk ikut menyuarakan hal tersebut. Ada pula yang bertutur bagaimana mereka terinspirasi dari kekuatan dan ketangguhan ibu mereka dalam memposisikan peran wanita di masyarakat.
Dalam kompilasi tulisan ini, Curtis membaginya menjadi beberapa bagian menurut efek yang mereka terima ketika mengenal kata "feminisme": Epiphany, Anger, Joy, Poetry Break, Action, dan Education. Di akhir, Curtis memberikan "sedikit" edukasi kepada pembaca mengenai sejarah gerakan feminisme. Cukup membantu untuk mereka yang menyangka bahwa gerakan ini muncul baru-baru ini. Padahal sudah ada seiring dengan Revolusi Industri yang pertama.
Tidak lupa, masih ada rekomendasi bacaan yang bisa dieksplor lebih jauh oleh pembaca yang tertarik mengenal "feminisme". Tentu, diberikan oleh Emma Watson, aktivis kesetaraan gender sekaligus sosok dibalik klub Our Shared Shelf.
Feminists Don't Wear Pink memang berupa buku yang besar dan tebal. Not come in handy. Tapi hal itu bisa ditolerir mengingat isinya sangat berbobot dan bagus. Sebuah pengenalan terhadap dunia feminisme secara umum. Tentang isu kesetaraan gender yang belum juga terselesaikan dengan baik.
"This book is here to show you that at the heart of feminism is women."
Judulnya cukup provokatif. Apalagi mengingat terminologi "feminis" di Indonesia seringkali diasosiasikan dengn "social justice warrior" atau SJW. Katanya, kaum yang "feminis" itu sukanya marah-marah dan punya standar ganda. Begitu pula di luar negeri. Terminologi "feminis" dekat dengan pemaknaan akan sesuatu yang "melawan" kodrat sehingga ketika seseorang melabeli dirinya dengan "feminis", maka seharusnya (ujar warganet) dia tidak menggunakan warna pink.
Stigma itulah yang coba untuk dikupas dan dibahas oleh beberapa aktivis kesetaraan gender dalam buku ini. Scarlett Curtis selaku kurator, menyajikan tulisan-tulisan yang bisa merepresentasikan keadaan di lapangan terhadap apa yang tengah diperjuangkan oleh para aktivitas kesertaraan gender tersebut.
Tidak pernah bosan rasanya ketika membahas tentang persamaan upah pekerja (equal pay). Tapi, dalam tulisan di buku ini, dijelaskan pula, memangnya mengapa sih kok wanita bisa sampai mendapatkan upah yang tidak sama dengan pria. Padahal jam kerjanya sama, pekerjaan yang dilakukan pun juga sama.
Begitu pula dengan akses terhadap pendidikan. Maraknya pernikahan anak di negara dunia ketiga (termasuk di Indonesia, sesungguhnya) memiliki efek terhadap pendidikan. Dan tentu saja, berujung pada roda perekonomian. Salah satu tulisan di dalam memberikan gambaran yang jelas apa yang bisa saja terjadi ketika anak-anak remaja putri itu dimasukkan ke sekolah ketimbang langsung dinikahkan begitu saja kepada pria yang bersedia membayar mahal.
Dua topik itu baru secuplik isi Feminists Don't Wear Pink. Beberapa aktivitas mengkorelasikan perjuangan keadilan gender melalui pengalaman pribadinya sehingga mereka tergerak untuk ikut menyuarakan hal tersebut. Ada pula yang bertutur bagaimana mereka terinspirasi dari kekuatan dan ketangguhan ibu mereka dalam memposisikan peran wanita di masyarakat.
"We women and girls need to work together, pursue our dreams and shine until our light cannot be ignored
Dalam kompilasi tulisan ini, Curtis membaginya menjadi beberapa bagian menurut efek yang mereka terima ketika mengenal kata "feminisme": Epiphany, Anger, Joy, Poetry Break, Action, dan Education. Di akhir, Curtis memberikan "sedikit" edukasi kepada pembaca mengenai sejarah gerakan feminisme. Cukup membantu untuk mereka yang menyangka bahwa gerakan ini muncul baru-baru ini. Padahal sudah ada seiring dengan Revolusi Industri yang pertama.
Tidak lupa, masih ada rekomendasi bacaan yang bisa dieksplor lebih jauh oleh pembaca yang tertarik mengenal "feminisme". Tentu, diberikan oleh Emma Watson, aktivis kesetaraan gender sekaligus sosok dibalik klub Our Shared Shelf.
Feminists Don't Wear Pink memang berupa buku yang besar dan tebal. Not come in handy. Tapi hal itu bisa ditolerir mengingat isinya sangat berbobot dan bagus. Sebuah pengenalan terhadap dunia feminisme secara umum. Tentang isu kesetaraan gender yang belum juga terselesaikan dengan baik.
June 24, 2019
Це збірка есе вражаючих дівчат та жінок про те, що для них означає слово на букву Ф (*фемінізм). Оскільки тут представлені дуже різні жінки, то, відповідно, і тексти дуже різні. Є навчальні, є особисті, є ті, що закликають до дії, та ті, що несуть меседж. Ми різні, тож не дивно, що фемінізм та його сприйняття жінками теж у всіх різні. Я думаю, що кожна/ий знайде тут для себе якусь нову інформацію - і ті, хто "у фемінізмі" давно, і ті, хто тільки починають ставити собі питання. Головне, пам'ятати, фемінізм не такий страшний, як його малюють ті, хто нічого не знає про Рух. Оцінка 4/5 все ж трошки авансом - за важливість та актуальність теми. Мені, особисто, не вистачило сильних текстів. Просто, не всі дівчата, які безперечно надихають своїми діями, природженні письменники. І це нормально. Мої питання до британського редактора, який міг допрацювати їхні тексти так, щоб вони не зливалися всі в один.
November 11, 2018
I'm not sure what I expected, given the tagline says Amazing women on what the F-word means to them, but I think I was expecting more essay and less personal ramblings/prose poetry/word associations.
Don't get me wrong, it's a pretty easy read and I imagine that someone who struggles to feel feminist in their daily life might find it affirming and reassuring. But honestly, I just don't care enough about famous people to care about when they realised they were feminist and the existential crisis it gave them.
Don't get me wrong, it's a pretty easy read and I imagine that someone who struggles to feel feminist in their daily life might find it affirming and reassuring. But honestly, I just don't care enough about famous people to care about when they realised they were feminist and the existential crisis it gave them.
January 7, 2020
Tohle byl skvělý začátek roku, plný naděje a motivace - a to nejen v boji za rovnoprávnost všech lidí, ale také za všechno ostatní.
4,5/5
Recenzi na knihu najdete na blogu.
4,5/5
Recenzi na knihu najdete na blogu.
August 20, 2020
this is a wonderful collection for a huge diversity of authors and voices and defiantly a great read for teens that need to understand why feminism is important and what it can mean and what it isn’t (the hate for any and all things male as do many many people believe feminism stands for).
for me personally this book felt a bit too young and a bit too „scratching the surface“.
i wanted more and deeper talk from the women this book featured. i wanted to hear their stories, understand their struggles and see their passion.
maybe that’s where i went personally wrong since that is just too much to expect out of one book.
but i do have to say that this book didn’t do enough for me personally since all it did was share a short little moment of the person. and i wish it would have done more. personal preference but personal review so i can say it.
i as i already mentioned, do believe that for the younger readers this book is perfect and just shows an overview of what feminism can mean and that it can be different for everyone and that what connects it all is the simple wish and hope that everyone will one day actual be seen as a person instead of a gender.
i think this would be a wonderful book to have in school curriculums, to talk and share and discuss from a young age that it means to be a women or seen as feminin and why do many of those aspects are still seen as something negative and to be looked down upon instead of celebrated or at least simply accepted as something that’s okay to have/be.
all in all it’s good book and should be read
for me personally this book felt a bit too young and a bit too „scratching the surface“.
i wanted more and deeper talk from the women this book featured. i wanted to hear their stories, understand their struggles and see their passion.
maybe that’s where i went personally wrong since that is just too much to expect out of one book.
but i do have to say that this book didn’t do enough for me personally since all it did was share a short little moment of the person. and i wish it would have done more. personal preference but personal review so i can say it.
i as i already mentioned, do believe that for the younger readers this book is perfect and just shows an overview of what feminism can mean and that it can be different for everyone and that what connects it all is the simple wish and hope that everyone will one day actual be seen as a person instead of a gender.
i think this would be a wonderful book to have in school curriculums, to talk and share and discuss from a young age that it means to be a women or seen as feminin and why do many of those aspects are still seen as something negative and to be looked down upon instead of celebrated or at least simply accepted as something that’s okay to have/be.
all in all it’s good book and should be read
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