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Breaking Free: The Lie of Equality and the Feminist Fight for Freedom
A bold argument that “equality” is a racist, patriarchal ideal that perpetuates women’s systemic oppression and limits the possibilities of feminism—with a plan to transform the movement
For more than a century, women have fought for equality. Yet, time and again, their battles have fallen short. Even so-called constitutionally-protected equal rights can be withdrawn by judges and undermined by legislators. But the greater problem is in the notion of equality itself.
In Breaking Free, culture writer Marcie Bianco persuasively argues that the very concept of equality is a fallacy, an illusory goal that cannot address historic forms of discrimination and oppression. Starting with the campaign for women’s suffrage and traveling through modern history, she shows us how equality has been designed to keep women and disenfranchised communities chasing an unobtainable goal.
Conditioned for generations to want equality, it has become an insidious mindset locking us into the gender binary and reductive identity politics. Bianco calls upon a long-overlooked lineage to argue that only freedom can liberate feminism from these constraints, and proposes three freedom practices for women to reclaim their bodily autonomy and power.
What happens if we free ourselves of equality? Controversial and thrilling, Breaking Free guides readers toward new hope for the future of the feminist movement.
For more than a century, women have fought for equality. Yet, time and again, their battles have fallen short. Even so-called constitutionally-protected equal rights can be withdrawn by judges and undermined by legislators. But the greater problem is in the notion of equality itself.
In Breaking Free, culture writer Marcie Bianco persuasively argues that the very concept of equality is a fallacy, an illusory goal that cannot address historic forms of discrimination and oppression. Starting with the campaign for women’s suffrage and traveling through modern history, she shows us how equality has been designed to keep women and disenfranchised communities chasing an unobtainable goal.
Conditioned for generations to want equality, it has become an insidious mindset locking us into the gender binary and reductive identity politics. Bianco calls upon a long-overlooked lineage to argue that only freedom can liberate feminism from these constraints, and proposes three freedom practices for women to reclaim their bodily autonomy and power.
What happens if we free ourselves of equality? Controversial and thrilling, Breaking Free guides readers toward new hope for the future of the feminist movement.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 18, 2023
I must admit that when I first saw the title of this book my kneejerk reaction was "GTFO of my face with that nonsense" because I fully expected it to be some kind of reactionary manifesto, I'm glad I did a double take because that's really not what it is. It's really an invitation to rethink not just the language of your feminism but also its very goals and battles to depart from the sameness-based notion of equality (this is absolutely an oversimplification of the ideas that are put forward in the book).
Bianco draws from the work of many illustrious feminist thinkers and makes a really rather brilliant (in my opinion) case for shifting our focus away from equality under a system which by its very nature absolutely requires a hierarchical situation and can therefore only yield temporary wins both socially and legally (see the cooption of equality/freedom language by the far right).
While this is a book which would speak more to people who are already somewhat familiar with thinking about not just feminism but also about its language it's not entirely unapproachable for someone who is new to reading theory. Indeed, Bianco writes in a most charming and often humoristic manner which makes for a very engaging read.
I received a review copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Bianco draws from the work of many illustrious feminist thinkers and makes a really rather brilliant (in my opinion) case for shifting our focus away from equality under a system which by its very nature absolutely requires a hierarchical situation and can therefore only yield temporary wins both socially and legally (see the cooption of equality/freedom language by the far right).
While this is a book which would speak more to people who are already somewhat familiar with thinking about not just feminism but also about its language it's not entirely unapproachable for someone who is new to reading theory. Indeed, Bianco writes in a most charming and often humoristic manner which makes for a very engaging read.
I received a review copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
March 19, 2024
EVERYONE needs to read this book.
July 9, 2023
This volume is not for the faint of heart. I haven’t read a manifesto of this power since the 70s. As someone who, throughout my life, has been told that I didn’t get the job because “we’re just not ready for a woman”, some of Bianco’s words resonate with me. Nevertheless, I do have some issues with the book.
The first is that Bianco sets us up as her students. She cites numerous examples of things she has done and asked in the classroom, and, I sense, expects that our answers will be the same as her students.
Equality is something Bianco rejects, favoring freedom as the goal. I think that freedom is a wonderful goal but everybody’s freedom does not look the same. I am in a traditional, heterosexual marriage, not because I think I am half of anything, but because I chose a partner with whom to build a life. I believe we are equal partners, but not because we are the same. We each bring different things, none of which are better or worse than the others.
The main thing I don’t like about this book is the author’s readiness to lump woman into groups, most of which (women) seem to have it wrong. For the last seven years of my career, my retired husband took on the role of homemaker. He did not do it to “help” me. It was his chosen vocation during that period of our marriage. He was not forced to do it because I worked (and always made more money than he did). This is the kind of categorization that I perceive Bianco doing, and trust me, it makes me feel as excluded as not getting a job because I was a woman.
I work for the freedom of all, especially my sisters and brothers of color. I do it by voting, by marching, by donating and countless other ways. But I remain unconvinced that they don’t need equality as well.
In her concluding chapter, Bianco lifts up Britney Spears as an example of needing freedom. I don’t doubt that Spears needing freedom, but her situation and her freedom have little relevancy for my life. I’ll stick with the organizational side of the justice equation that she sees in Black Lives Matter, which I support with my feet and my dollars.
I am grateful for the chance to read an advance copy of Breaking Free. I lift it up for those in search of a 2023 feminist manifesto. I suspect, however, that is not a book that will remain on my shelf.
The first is that Bianco sets us up as her students. She cites numerous examples of things she has done and asked in the classroom, and, I sense, expects that our answers will be the same as her students.
Equality is something Bianco rejects, favoring freedom as the goal. I think that freedom is a wonderful goal but everybody’s freedom does not look the same. I am in a traditional, heterosexual marriage, not because I think I am half of anything, but because I chose a partner with whom to build a life. I believe we are equal partners, but not because we are the same. We each bring different things, none of which are better or worse than the others.
The main thing I don’t like about this book is the author’s readiness to lump woman into groups, most of which (women) seem to have it wrong. For the last seven years of my career, my retired husband took on the role of homemaker. He did not do it to “help” me. It was his chosen vocation during that period of our marriage. He was not forced to do it because I worked (and always made more money than he did). This is the kind of categorization that I perceive Bianco doing, and trust me, it makes me feel as excluded as not getting a job because I was a woman.
I work for the freedom of all, especially my sisters and brothers of color. I do it by voting, by marching, by donating and countless other ways. But I remain unconvinced that they don’t need equality as well.
In her concluding chapter, Bianco lifts up Britney Spears as an example of needing freedom. I don’t doubt that Spears needing freedom, but her situation and her freedom have little relevancy for my life. I’ll stick with the organizational side of the justice equation that she sees in Black Lives Matter, which I support with my feet and my dollars.
I am grateful for the chance to read an advance copy of Breaking Free. I lift it up for those in search of a 2023 feminist manifesto. I suspect, however, that is not a book that will remain on my shelf.
October 18, 2024
Exodus 20 : The Ten Commandments
I believe that Feminism is important - “Only when a true sight of Feminism is established”. I believe that ability of where Feminism is able to have an established foundation - “All Female just need to find an idea that secures the girl. Female. Woman. Whatever… to have the ability to agree of what matters to a girl. What all girls care about. What factor of life. Secures her livelihood, safety, and her existence. Meaning… someone. I believe it to be MAN. So… a MAN (RIGHT?), who is able to understand a girl. Therefore. All girls. Truly. Validating that Feminism is important. Because. A MAN. Knows who a girl is. And. Understands how to talk to her. Rather than just telling her what to do.” Basically… I am always in of support of Feminism. But. I am not allowing myself to be a victim of Female : “Feminism". Also know. Female : Feminism was created by MAN. MAN permitted Female to have her formal political voice : “Feminism”.
I support Feminism. Regardless. My Feminism focus is, “Gender Respects”. I would love to Break Free. From the violations of “Gender Respects” that Female : Feminism has established and secured me in my Life (I am not in a good place in my life). I deserve to have inclusion in of Female : Feminism. Even if I am Biologically Male. How is it I am to be supporting “Female : Feminism”. When “Female : Feminism” does not include my focus of “Female : Feminism - Gender Respects”. Of said, does not include my account. My Male : Boy account. Of about “Female : Feminism - Gender Respects”.
Again (This matters to me. Right?). I would love to break free from this Marginalized and Prejudice I was forced into because of “Female : Feminism - Violation of Gender Respects”. I want to live my life as Male : Boy. Not a Male (No Existence) slave to Female (I am not doing that. Transgender).
I am going to be in of support of the authors conceptual focus. And. Refrain from my personal traumatic and terrorizing experiences because of “Female : Feminism” (I really hope you care about this expression of Feminism. Which I believe is, “Female : Feminism - Gender Respects”).
In of support of the author. And. In of my best contribution to include my preference of the many Feminisms of Female : Feminism (Gender Respects). My initial contribution is of about quote [video 19:05 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1INF...], “Our capacity for freedom is expanded. It’s enlarged. Through others. We need other people to be free.”
Because of of the many Feminisms of “Female : Feminism”. It is difficult to attain a script. An outline. A true index. So to say… “Table of Contents”. Of “Female : Feminism”. Because of such explicit significance that “Female : Feminism” prevails in of Socio - Political significance. Meaning and entailing the prevailing truth of Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Prosperity that “Female : Feminism” is able to accomplish and succeed in of. For Society and Government. The current redaction of “Female : Feminism” Personifies the redaction and audit default of how “Female : Feminism” is cultivated and established in of clear clarity of the capable potential of “Female : Feminism”.
An idea.
Freedom is a social construct. The type of Freedom that I support. Is - “Political Freedom”. The social construct of Freedom - “Political Freedom”. Enables a Political attenuation. That. Resounds promise. That promise. Is. What is believed. Freedom - “Political Freedom”.
Mechanics of Social Constructs.
Social Constructs are prevailing supported beliefs. A belief that what is heard, read; basically… what is informed. Is worth supporting. If my version of Freedom - “Political Freedom”. Prevails in of support. Then. The Mechanics of Social Construct is default. The transcending constitute of community becomes the only factor that ables for my version of Freedom - “Political Freedom”, to succeed as a supported Social Construct. Therefore. A Societal Statute. Meaning - “Social Revolution”.
Value of Social Constructs
A Social Construct is a Political Statute that ables the reinforcement of the value of Politics. This reinforcement is achieved through the promises of Government. Through Politics. This achievement by Government is succeeded when the Government’s Politics. Proofs that their Constitutionalism (the representation of the Government’s Laws), are in of the statutes of what is valuable to Government (Philanthropy and Humanities : Human Rights). “Female : Feminism” is able to attain such Value in of the Social Construct that it is believed and is sentimentally “Blessed” to account for and be in of provision to Government (for Society). I believe that “Female : Feminism” has the ability, for I intellectually resonate strongly with a knowledge and rational understanding of about how the potential of “Female : Feminism” is possible for the following hope - “Generally Presenting : Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Prosperity”.
I believe that Feminism is important - “Only when a true sight of Feminism is established”. I believe that ability of where Feminism is able to have an established foundation - “All Female just need to find an idea that secures the girl. Female. Woman. Whatever… to have the ability to agree of what matters to a girl. What all girls care about. What factor of life. Secures her livelihood, safety, and her existence. Meaning… someone. I believe it to be MAN. So… a MAN (RIGHT?), who is able to understand a girl. Therefore. All girls. Truly. Validating that Feminism is important. Because. A MAN. Knows who a girl is. And. Understands how to talk to her. Rather than just telling her what to do.” Basically… I am always in of support of Feminism. But. I am not allowing myself to be a victim of Female : “Feminism". Also know. Female : Feminism was created by MAN. MAN permitted Female to have her formal political voice : “Feminism”.
I support Feminism. Regardless. My Feminism focus is, “Gender Respects”. I would love to Break Free. From the violations of “Gender Respects” that Female : Feminism has established and secured me in my Life (I am not in a good place in my life). I deserve to have inclusion in of Female : Feminism. Even if I am Biologically Male. How is it I am to be supporting “Female : Feminism”. When “Female : Feminism” does not include my focus of “Female : Feminism - Gender Respects”. Of said, does not include my account. My Male : Boy account. Of about “Female : Feminism - Gender Respects”.
Again (This matters to me. Right?). I would love to break free from this Marginalized and Prejudice I was forced into because of “Female : Feminism - Violation of Gender Respects”. I want to live my life as Male : Boy. Not a Male (No Existence) slave to Female (I am not doing that. Transgender).
I am going to be in of support of the authors conceptual focus. And. Refrain from my personal traumatic and terrorizing experiences because of “Female : Feminism” (I really hope you care about this expression of Feminism. Which I believe is, “Female : Feminism - Gender Respects”).
In of support of the author. And. In of my best contribution to include my preference of the many Feminisms of Female : Feminism (Gender Respects). My initial contribution is of about quote [video 19:05 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1INF...], “Our capacity for freedom is expanded. It’s enlarged. Through others. We need other people to be free.”
Because of of the many Feminisms of “Female : Feminism”. It is difficult to attain a script. An outline. A true index. So to say… “Table of Contents”. Of “Female : Feminism”. Because of such explicit significance that “Female : Feminism” prevails in of Socio - Political significance. Meaning and entailing the prevailing truth of Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Prosperity that “Female : Feminism” is able to accomplish and succeed in of. For Society and Government. The current redaction of “Female : Feminism” Personifies the redaction and audit default of how “Female : Feminism” is cultivated and established in of clear clarity of the capable potential of “Female : Feminism”.
An idea.
Freedom is a social construct. The type of Freedom that I support. Is - “Political Freedom”. The social construct of Freedom - “Political Freedom”. Enables a Political attenuation. That. Resounds promise. That promise. Is. What is believed. Freedom - “Political Freedom”.
Mechanics of Social Constructs.
Social Constructs are prevailing supported beliefs. A belief that what is heard, read; basically… what is informed. Is worth supporting. If my version of Freedom - “Political Freedom”. Prevails in of support. Then. The Mechanics of Social Construct is default. The transcending constitute of community becomes the only factor that ables for my version of Freedom - “Political Freedom”, to succeed as a supported Social Construct. Therefore. A Societal Statute. Meaning - “Social Revolution”.
Value of Social Constructs
A Social Construct is a Political Statute that ables the reinforcement of the value of Politics. This reinforcement is achieved through the promises of Government. Through Politics. This achievement by Government is succeeded when the Government’s Politics. Proofs that their Constitutionalism (the representation of the Government’s Laws), are in of the statutes of what is valuable to Government (Philanthropy and Humanities : Human Rights). “Female : Feminism” is able to attain such Value in of the Social Construct that it is believed and is sentimentally “Blessed” to account for and be in of provision to Government (for Society). I believe that “Female : Feminism” has the ability, for I intellectually resonate strongly with a knowledge and rational understanding of about how the potential of “Female : Feminism” is possible for the following hope - “Generally Presenting : Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Prosperity”.
May 12, 2023
In Breaking Free: The Lie of Equality and the Feminist Fight for Freedom author Marcie Bianco makes a strong case for completely revamping the goals and approaches in feminist thought.
First of all, this is not simply a re-framing, where we keep the basic approach but just modify how we present it. Reframing certainly has its place in many debates, but not this one. Feminism(s) need a new way to think about making and measuring progress, not a new cosmetic touch up to what has already been tried and, even when "succeeding," failed.
You have likely heard and/or thought yourself, "why are we struggling just to be able to measure up to men by standards they set as ideals?" Yet that is exactly what the struggles for equality have been about. Staying within a white supremacist patriarchal structure and accepting the so-called equalities they are willing to bestow.
I'm not going to try to paraphrase Bianco's arguments here, I think that would do more harm than good. They are nuanced and she does a wonderful job of presenting them. I will point out that the shift from equality to freedom driven activism is not an individualistic endeavor. This is community driven and measured, and not in a "my community vs your community" manner. The world would be a better place if everyone had freedom. Not the type that says I can do whatever I want no matter the impact on others, but one where our choices and decisions are limited only by our circumstances, and those circumstances are not limits placed by others but the natural limits of who each of us are.
I hope I didn't butcher the argument too much, but if you are often frustrated by how even so-called victories seem to make little to no difference, or only for a select group of women, this book will be well worth your time. You will find a lot here that rings true, and Bianco's assessment of those things make more and more sense as you read. So please, if you're already involved or if you're just becoming involved in activism (in any form and in whatever capacity), read this book. At worse it will open your eyes to perspectives you might not have considered, and ideally it will give both new direction and rejuvenated energy to what you do.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
First of all, this is not simply a re-framing, where we keep the basic approach but just modify how we present it. Reframing certainly has its place in many debates, but not this one. Feminism(s) need a new way to think about making and measuring progress, not a new cosmetic touch up to what has already been tried and, even when "succeeding," failed.
You have likely heard and/or thought yourself, "why are we struggling just to be able to measure up to men by standards they set as ideals?" Yet that is exactly what the struggles for equality have been about. Staying within a white supremacist patriarchal structure and accepting the so-called equalities they are willing to bestow.
I'm not going to try to paraphrase Bianco's arguments here, I think that would do more harm than good. They are nuanced and she does a wonderful job of presenting them. I will point out that the shift from equality to freedom driven activism is not an individualistic endeavor. This is community driven and measured, and not in a "my community vs your community" manner. The world would be a better place if everyone had freedom. Not the type that says I can do whatever I want no matter the impact on others, but one where our choices and decisions are limited only by our circumstances, and those circumstances are not limits placed by others but the natural limits of who each of us are.
I hope I didn't butcher the argument too much, but if you are often frustrated by how even so-called victories seem to make little to no difference, or only for a select group of women, this book will be well worth your time. You will find a lot here that rings true, and Bianco's assessment of those things make more and more sense as you read. So please, if you're already involved or if you're just becoming involved in activism (in any form and in whatever capacity), read this book. At worse it will open your eyes to perspectives you might not have considered, and ideally it will give both new direction and rejuvenated energy to what you do.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
May 19, 2025
I had the pleasure of attending Professor Bianco's lecture and absolutely LOVED her ideas. Her views on equality as a fallacy, and feminist freedom as a practice were very refreshing. I loved her quote of Audre Lorde, “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”
–––
More Notes:
刚刚听了Professor Marcie Bianco的讲座，真的很enlightening，很后悔自己一直没有静下心来把大部头的feminist literature认真读完。在听她提到很多理念的时候脑海中逐渐浮现出自己曾经读过的无数篇女性主义题材的小说，感觉在这一刻才真正理解作者创作背后更细腻的意图。有时，文学不能仅靠直觉探索，不然会完全忽略作者“话里有话”的那些重要时刻。深度与阅读广度是相互依赖的。
课后留下来，我和教授提起自己今天在panel分享的论文，坦白在研究了一个学期的Audre Lorde’s concept of the erotic后仍然无法理解how the erotic manifests in the modern context. 她点了点头，解释说她对the erotic的理解是人与人之间深度共鸣、激发活力的瞬间。忽然想到高中时老师和我说的玩笑话——“Whenever I talk to you, I feel like a lightbulb is flashing in my mind.” The erotic就是这种忽暗忽明、灵动的能量。当然无法被具象为一两个动作和情感。它不断颤动，但并不易碎。
The erotic was never individual, just as liberation does not rest upon equality.
同时也意识到，发掘the erotic也正是我坚持写作的原因。开始写作后，我发现这世界上没有我不想知道的事情。我想知道你在三岁时听的儿歌中最喜欢的一句歌词、想知道为什么她蹲下系鞋带时双手会微微发颤、想知道沙丘是如何形成的、想知道我该如何接受自己有些迟钝的思维。我有好多好多事情想讲，但我没有办法在每一个人的耳边说悄悄话。
合唱团演出时，暖光灯打在身上，所有人都像被关在一台烘干机里一样，逐渐被热气沁湿。窗外小狗把头探出栅栏，原以为他在和好奇的路人打招呼，等了一会儿才发现是他的玩具掉在外面了。
宿舍的帘子很薄，挡不住什么光，夏天空调吹动的时候它会像是有呼吸一样，跟着轻轻摇晃。有车经过时，光会透过缝隙变成一根光条，在墙上画划出一条短暂的轨迹。这是城市独有的流星。
伍尔夫的文章里总是出现浪花，是层层叠起、升起再落下的力量。我也会为这样的浪花而动容。我依靠他们重新感知到生活的质感。
–––
More Notes:
刚刚听了Professor Marcie Bianco的讲座，真的很enlightening，很后悔自己一直没有静下心来把大部头的feminist literature认真读完。在听她提到很多理念的时候脑海中逐渐浮现出自己曾经读过的无数篇女性主义题材的小说，感觉在这一刻才真正理解作者创作背后更细腻的意图。有时，文学不能仅靠直觉探索，不然会完全忽略作者“话里有话”的那些重要时刻。深度与阅读广度是相互依赖的。
课后留下来，我和教授提起自己今天在panel分享的论文，坦白在研究了一个学期的Audre Lorde’s concept of the erotic后仍然无法理解how the erotic manifests in the modern context. 她点了点头，解释说她对the erotic的理解是人与人之间深度共鸣、激发活力的瞬间。忽然想到高中时老师和我说的玩笑话——“Whenever I talk to you, I feel like a lightbulb is flashing in my mind.” The erotic就是这种忽暗忽明、灵动的能量。当然无法被具象为一两个动作和情感。它不断颤动，但并不易碎。
The erotic was never individual, just as liberation does not rest upon equality.
同时也意识到，发掘the erotic也正是我坚持写作的原因。开始写作后，我发现这世界上没有我不想知道的事情。我想知道你在三岁时听的儿歌中最喜欢的一句歌词、想知道为什么她蹲下系鞋带时双手会微微发颤、想知道沙丘是如何形成的、想知道我该如何接受自己有些迟钝的思维。我有好多好多事情想讲，但我没有办法在每一个人的耳边说悄悄话。
合唱团演出时，暖光灯打在身上，所有人都像被关在一台烘干机里一样，逐渐被热气沁湿。窗外小狗把头探出栅栏，原以为他在和好奇的路人打招呼，等了一会儿才发现是他的玩具掉在外面了。
宿舍的帘子很薄，挡不住什么光，夏天空调吹动的时候它会像是有呼吸一样，跟着轻轻摇晃。有车经过时，光会透过缝隙变成一根光条，在墙上画划出一条短暂的轨迹。这是城市独有的流星。
伍尔夫的文章里总是出现浪花，是层层叠起、升起再落下的力量。我也会为这样的浪花而动容。我依靠他们重新感知到生活的质感。
December 31, 2023
When I first saw the title I wasn't sure what sort of feminism this was about. I was recently burned by another supposedly feminist book that used TERF language and talked about cancellation. This isn't that sort of book, instead it tries to expand feminism for people who have always felt outside of it.
I did appreciate that the freedom Bianco espouses includes mad and disabled people. While Britney Spears is a rich celebrity, the turn California has taken with having a separate court to force care and/or a conservatorship on people considered to be mentally ill, mostly aimed at those who are unhoused, is terrifying. People who are caught by this new "care" court will likely never be free unless there is change on a systemic level.
I did appreciate that the freedom Bianco espouses includes mad and disabled people. While Britney Spears is a rich celebrity, the turn California has taken with having a separate court to force care and/or a conservatorship on people considered to be mentally ill, mostly aimed at those who are unhoused, is terrifying. People who are caught by this new "care" court will likely never be free unless there is change on a systemic level.
January 13, 2024
equality isn't; freedom-yes; mutuality-yes!
Read
June 28, 2024Bold, clearly argued, radical and thought-provoking!
September 15, 2025
Found this to be a great and insightful perspective, similar books of this genre tend to beat a point to death but I found this to be interesting and well laid out, great thought provoking read!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews