Bad Feminist: Essays
A collection of essays spanning politics, criticism, and feminism from one of the most-watched young cultural observers of her generation, Roxane Gay. In these funny and insightful essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of her evolution as a woman (Sweet Valley High) of color (The Help) while also taking readers on a ride through culture of the last few years (Girls, Django in Chains) and commenting on the state of feminism today (abortion, Chris Brown). The portrait that emerges is not only one of an incredibly insightful woman continually growing to understand herself and our society, but also one of our culture. Bad Feminist is a sharp, funny, and spot-on look at the ways in which the culture we consume becomes who we are, and an inspiring call-to-arms of all the ways we still need to do better.
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Community Reviews
I really wish I had liked this more than I did, and there were essays that I did like, but overall, I think the book didn't really resonate with me.
I'm not completely sure why, or rather, I think part of it is just my personality and how I struggle with empathy and so much of the book was about empathy for others, so I struggled to relate to a lot of the essays, which probably says more about me than the book itself. I did enjoy the essays on different aspects of pop culture - it makes me think about how I wish there was something like this, but for Asian people, since the lack of Asians in popular culture, politics, and other parts of the public sphere is a huge problem, and something I can really relate to a lot more since I'm Asian. I don't want to play discrimination Olympics, but I did struggle with it.
The essays that were about feminism and women were things I resonated with better for obvious reasons - which again, probably says something about me and how empathy is not something I'm particularly good at when something doesn't directly have to do with me. Maybe I didn't like this book so much because it really brought that aspect of myself into light and makes me uncomfortable with it.
Anyway, I'm glad I read this, and I do think that Roxane Gay is a good writer. I've just read different feminist books that I prefer.
I'm not completely sure why, or rather, I think part of it is just my personality and how I struggle with empathy and so much of the book was about empathy for others, so I struggled to relate to a lot of the essays, which probably says more about me than the book itself. I did enjoy the essays on different aspects of pop culture - it makes me think about how I wish there was something like this, but for Asian people, since the lack of Asians in popular culture, politics, and other parts of the public sphere is a huge problem, and something I can really relate to a lot more since I'm Asian. I don't want to play discrimination Olympics, but I did struggle with it.
The essays that were about feminism and women were things I resonated with better for obvious reasons - which again, probably says something about me and how empathy is not something I'm particularly good at when something doesn't directly have to do with me. Maybe I didn't like this book so much because it really brought that aspect of myself into light and makes me uncomfortable with it.
Anyway, I'm glad I read this, and I do think that Roxane Gay is a good writer. I've just read different feminist books that I prefer.
(3 stars with the caveat that I think if I read this when it first came out the rating would be higher. Felt super dated)
This book really opened my mind as to how women from different backgrounds can be so different, yet so similar. I related to the author's experiences as a woman. I learned what feminism is like to women of color and gave me a new perspective on the different opportunities that are available to some people. This book is so important for men and women from all backgrounds to be. Maybe that way people from different backgrounds can learn to be more aware about other people's struggles in society and the government system.
Thank you, Roxane Gay, for again sharing so much of yourself and being so damn relatable. I laughed, I cried, I put Sweet Valley High Confidential on hold at my library and watched the librarian try to control her face as she checked the book out to me. Much love, Roxane! Please continue to share your thoughts with us. We are listening.
I teeter as to how much I enjoyed it. I fell in love with who Roxane is in the chapters she speaks about herself, but her politics are more moderate than mine, and come from a more pop-culture-aware and U.S-focussed society where abortion & reproduction rights are challenged, etc which are not really political problems in Canada (even under Conservative power). I enjoyed reading it, though. I'm definitely interested in more of her work.
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