2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
"At a time when we are too often being reminded of what divides us, there is common ground to be found when we share out stories." (Emma Watson)
"Turn feelings into thoughts into actions."
These are only a couple of the many, many inspirational quotes offered in this book.
'Feminists Don't Wear Pink (and other lies)' is a collection of essays by women from all walks of life, talking about their experiences with feminism and what that word means to them, how it shapes them, and how it affects their view of the world around them.
From famous actresses (Saoirse Ronan, Evanna Lynch, Keira Knightley, Karen Gillan, Jodie Whittaker, Gemma Arterton, etc), comediennes, writers, authors (including Helen Fielding), club leaders, entrepreneurs, bloggers, to activists from around the globe: Scarlett Curtis has put together a book of education, awareness, activism, of varying life experiences and diversity of women, and of hope.
Motherhood, FGM, abortion, periods, the tampon tax, the wage gap, sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic abuse, workplace abuse, online abuse, racism, transphobia, intersectional feminism, "bad" feminism, the first, second, third and fourth waves of feminism, the suffragettes, #MeToo, reproductive health, self-esteem issues, self-image and body issues, the vulva - it's nearly all here. Being discussed very personally by African women, lesbian and other LBGTQ women, trans women, disabled women, young women, older women, Muslim women, Asian women, poverty-stricken women... straight white middle-class women too, but everybody is welcome here. Some of them are aware of what privilege is granted them by society.
A special highlight is deserved to the essay, 'Tell Him', by Jameela Jamil, which teaches us how to raise feminist sons. Put simply: "All you have to do is tell him the truth." (Plus: "God, we must be pretty amazing to have overcome all of this shit. Tell him.") It is a fantastic, important, essential piece of writing.
More and more people are waking up (woke-in up?) and becoming enlightened on what feminism actually means now more than ever before. Currently a lot of people identify as feminists as a result. In their own individual way, they are united in the common goal of dismantling the global, systematic prison that is the patriarchy, in which we are all the inmates, whether we are aware of it or not.
Gender equality equals freedom for all.
And look at the pink! It is okay to like pink. Everybody should like whatever they want.
A few problems I have with the book are how it is presented in some parts; like some sections (Epiphany, Anger, Joy, Action, and so on) are too similar to one another, based on the subject matter of an essay placed in one. A scant number of essays I found to be a bit confusing and not edited well, especially at the beginning. And due to my general disinterest in poetry, I neither enjoy nor fully understand the Poetry Break section.
Women are strong. Amazingly strong. They are life givers. They are life feeders. They are multitaskers. They are fierce. They are brave. They are smart. They are leaders. They are unstoppable. They are complex. They are sisters. They are together. They have survived centuries of oppression, discrimination, violence, and fear by insecure and loud men.
So can we. Let us carry on their hard work just to be seen as equals, treated with respect in every way. For our movement, our drive, our fire, our gulp of air and thirst for justice - our salvation and freedom - isn't done. Feminism is neither antiquated nor does it ever go into hibernation.
'Feminists Don't Wear Pink (and other lies)' gives us diverse voices speaking from 2018/19 on topics that still desperately need to be put to right in order for women and men to survive - for future generations that will benefit tremendously from gender equality - and that is enough to recommend it.
Further reading is spotlighted ('Women Who Run With the Wolves'! OMG!), and as well as being educational, it will make you a good listener and supporter of women, who are, whaddayano, complex and human. The pink guide book is so accessible, innovative, investing, and written in a friendly manner, like those in a group or podcast, that its 360 pages can be read in a day.
Also, at the time of writing this, I am having a heavy period. I feel no shame and embarrassment in saying that, and neither should anyone else.
"I believe in giving girls a chance to activate their potential without fear." (Chimwemwe Chiweza)
"Whether you are quietly active or loudly roaring, you are an ally." (Angela Yee)
"I want it to be illegal to discriminate, and legislation to be put in place that makes it pointless to discriminate." (Jodie Whittaker's mum)
"We women and girls need to work together, pursue our dreams and shine until our light cannot be ignored." (Maryam and Nivaal Rehman)
Final Score: 4/5
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