Can We All Be Feminists? - June Eric-Udorie
This book is SUCH an educational and important read! Edited by June Eric-Udorie, and containing essays from a variety of different writers, Can We All Be Feminists is a real overview of what intersectional feminism really means. Each essay brings a new perspective to the forefront, and each perspective intersects with another, teaching each and every one of us something new. As a white British woman who has lived in the US for many years, I really appreciated how the essays span across both countries, and beyond, allowing people in the UK to discuss issues that may not be as prominent, or visible, in the US and vice versa. I highlighted a lot of content in this book just so that I can go back and read areas again, but here are some of the quotes that stood out to me:
“White feminism is excellent at projecting issues onto other cultures as it sees fit, prioritizing the “big” issues over the day-to-day realities. For example, over the years there has been a consistent focus on rebuking the system of arranged marriage, but the conversation excludes the South Asian women who exist on a broad spectrum of challenging and supporting this cultural concept. Progress is determined according to the white feminist values imposed on these issues, and judgment passed on the culture accordingly.” (A Hundred Small Rebellions - Eishar Kaur)
“An intersectional feminist myself, I believe this is crucial. But at the same time, I see the ways in which representation can be a double bind. The way in which women of color are expected to explain themselves to white feminists, sometimes even reinforcing the dominant perception, is where representation for representation’s sake becomes problematic. The fact that anyone from a minority community who becomes successful is robbed of their individuality because they are expected to speak for a whole community is a huge issue. Minority groups are treated like monoliths, with brown and Black women especially treated as though they have no agency.” (Representation as a Feminist Act - Aisha Gani)
This is one of those books that I borrowed from my local library, but that I am now going to add to my to buy list. I don’t think one read is enough, this is a book that you will want to go back to over and over again. I recommend this book to everyone, as we all have something to learn from each other. And these voices should be listened to and amplified.