Can you recall learning something new that changed your life? This was me and feminism. No one really taught me about it but early on, I got involved with issues of human trafficking, which turned into me inquiring more about female health (learning about what a fistula was truly mind blowing). Atrocities towards women on a large scale THEN turned into me noticing the everyday issues women face like sexual harassment and gender discrimination.
Since I am a lover of my library card, I have taken out a number of contemporary titles pertaining to women’s rights and feminism that I think any person should check out. Here are a few.:
- Bad Feminist by Roxanne Gay
This book manages to be hilarious while breaking down contemporary feminist debates. She uses her own stories of being not only a woman navigating the slippery slopes of life, but while also being African American. By breaking down this book into essays, the book is a breeze to read through and if anything you take out of this book, you will get a great refresher on pop culture.
2. We Should All be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi
The ultimate feminist manifesto. Short and simple but to the point. Read this on your morning commute and you will be uplifted by this women’s unbreakable spirit.
3. Created Equal: Voices on Human Rights by Anna Horsbrugh-Porter, Patrick Stewart
From Goodreads: Created Equal is a frank and clear-sighted introduction to the current state of women’s rights globally. Millions of women throughout the world suffer from violence, poverty and denial of their human rights because of their gender.
4. Airbrushed Nation: The Lure and Loathing of Women’s Magazines by Jennifer Nelson
From the title alone, you can take away a lot about what this book is about. What you will take away from this is a loathing of magazines. All magazines, in general.
5. The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women by Jessica Valenti
America has an obsession with both virgins and promiscuous women and its downright creepy. This book will suck you in rehashing the chastising country we live in!
Read on, friends! With plenty of feminist books to choose from, which are your favorite?
Petite Activist 