Can We All Be Feminists?: New Writing from Brit Bennett, Nicole Dennis-Benn, and 15 Others on Intersectionality, Identity, and the Way Forward for Feminism

June Eric-Udorie (Editor)

"As timely as it is well-written, this clear-eyed collection is just what I need right now." -Jacqueline Woodson, author of Brown Girl Dreaming

"The intersectional feminist anthology we all need to read" (Bustle), edited by a feminist activist and writer who "calls to mind a young Audre Lorde" (Kirkus)

Why do some women struggle to identify as feminists, despite their commitment to gender equality? How do other aspects of our identities - such as race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, and more - impact how we relate to feminism? Why is intersectionality so important?

In challenging, incisive, and fearless essays - all of which appear here for the first time - seventeen writers from diverse backgrounds wrestle with these questions, and more. A groundbreaking book that elevates underrepresented voices, Can We All Be Feminists? offers the tools and perspective we need to create a 21st century feminism that is truly for all.

Including essays by: Soofiya Andry, Gabrielle Bellot, Caitlin Cruz, Nicole Dennis-Benn, Brit Bennett, Evette Dionne, Aisha Gani, Afua Hirsch, Juliet Jacques, Wei Ming Kam, Mariya Karimjee, Eishar Kaur, Emer O'Toole, Frances Ryan, Zoe Samudzi, Charlotte Shane, and Selina Thompson

• ISBN10: 0143132377
• ISBN13: 9780143132370
• Publish Date: 25 September 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Penguin USA
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 288
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780143132370

Reviews

[Ace]

Originally posted at https://alexandramtaylor.com/book-review-can-we-all-be-feminists/

An #ownvoices collection of essays written by up and coming, influential feminists, many of whom if not all belong to one minority or another. With a range of authors from Muslim, Lesbians, Transgender African Americans, African Americans and Bisexual Catholics the wide diversity that is present in this books is outstanding. Each essay is unique from the perspective of the author looking at things such as race and transgender, race and queerness, immigration and women whether they are cishet or queer to fat feminism and abortion and the referendum in Ireland.

I like to think I'm pretty 'woke' but there were things in this book that made me sit back and go 'huh I hadn't thought of that' such as the issue with immigration. While that particular essay was focused on England and their immigration policy and touched briefly on Canada's but it's startling to realise just how much of a feminist issue it is but at the same time something that mainstream or 'white feminism' hasn't picked up.

At least one essay also in touching on race and feminism touched on an important argument for women's rights - equal pay. It raises the point that it is very hard to fight for equal pay between sexes when WOC aren't paid as high or disable women - especially disabled WOC - as their white counterparts. Why fix the sexes when we have the problem within our sex as well?

I'm the first to admit I have white girl privilege and rich white girl privilege at that. While my parents aren't rich they are well off enough that my two brothers and I could be sent through private schools for our entire schooling and never had to go without. It also wasn't until probably 2015 or 2016 at the age of 25/26 that I really started to get into feminism. Sure I've always wanted equality between sexes but I didn't understand what it truly meant let alone intersectional feminism. This book therefore does a wonderful job of opening up and making you aware of just of just how lacking mainstream feminism can be. Third Wave Feminism is making progress but as a whole we have a long way to come until.