Book Review: Bad Feminist

You know when you're angry and you don't know why? You just can't put words to those words that a man mansplained to you? Well, this is that book. Roxane Gay puts those words in your mouth and makes you do a fist pump for putting words to your feelings.

As a woman in this modern world, it's so freaking exhausting to have to explain over and over again why cat calling is offensive, why touching my shoulder or arm is offensive, why it's not ok to joke about rape. I mean really, if you have to be told to not do these things, you're the one with the problem, not me. At the same token, if I have to pretend to be stupid so I don't offend a man, that's fucked up too. Masculinity is not defined by MY PRETENDING THAT A MAN IS SMARTER THAN ME.

Ugh. This book really gets to me.

Also, I was concurrently reading The Underground Railroad by Colston Whitehead so I was deeply enraged (and still am!) by slavery in America. I was at the YMCA working out at the time that I finished The Underground Railroad on the stationary bike. I looked around at all the black people and I just wanted to cry. Slaves were treated like shit. Then freed. Then treated like shit again. Then were able to vote. Still treated like shit. And still in this modern day, black people are still treated like shit. How on Earth people in America deny systemic racism is beyond me.

Bad Feminist also points out the hypocrisies in Feminism - like not all Feminists are bra-burners, not all Feminists boycott male-centered movies or tv shows or books or whatnot. Women in general still like things that the public might not call Feminist. Or feminist. See? There's a difference when you see Feminist and feminist. Does one of those words look "better" to you? Right. I'm a terrible feminist (Feminist). I stay at home. I rely on my husband for money, but I'm still a feminist; I am raising my children to be respectful, kind, curious, educated, and wonderful people. I'm still a fucking feminist, albeit a Bad Feminist.

This just renewed my irritation for ignorance, misogyny, female-bashing, and other current events that piss me off. I must shake my head twice a day at news that I hear about violence against women, sexual harassment, someone saying women CAN'T do something. WHEN IS THIS GOING TO END???? WHEN CAN WOMEN STOP PRETENDING TO BE STUPID TO MAKE MEN FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES??? When can I walk on the street without carrying my keys like I'm going to stab someone with them?

Overall: if you're still pissed about current events, read this book to keep the fire lit beneath you. If your head is under a rock and you have no idea about FEMINISM, then read this book. It will make you pissed off for women and you'll want to carry a stick around to bash people over the head with it.