Reading Bad Feminist gives people interested in feminism a good overview of feminist issues and allows them to then decide for themselves if the work of feminism is something they want to take on. An abstract belief in gender equality is not enough. Feminism is more than an intellectual set of ideologies. To me, it is about taking on the responsibility of the work of feminism. Feminism has helped me believe my voice matters. Feminism has certainly helped me find my voice. “Feminism is flawed,” says Gay, “but it offers, at its best, a way to navigate this shifting cultural climate. No one is perfect so no one’s feminist will be perfect, but the value of feminism is still significant. It discussed many of the issues that feminism works to address in common-sense, yet meaningful ways and reassured readers that a feminist identity does not require perfect behavior or understanding. I enjoyed that it offered an introduction to feminism that was cognizant of reservations that some people may have about feminism.
I wrote lots of notes while reading, including questions it inspired me to ask myself and consider. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay was the perfect first book for our new feminist book club, Let’s Read About Feminism!Ī fun, accessible, and relatable read that was impressive in its range and thoughtfulness.