We Should All Be Feminists

Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

2014

We should all be feminists can be seen by some as a bold statement. This book is the embodiment of what feminism is today : gender equality. Something that will benefit both men and women by rethinking gender roles, relaxing social norms and providing an equal ground to all. A chance to express oneself without being negatively labelled.

Chimamanda explains what feminism is, how it’s perceived and what it could be or should be. How in simple gestures we keep promoting gender inequality. How it’s ingrain into our society. However, she also offers solutions. And the first step is awareness.

This book made me laugh, but most importantly it made me think. It made me think of the first wave of feminism (end of 1800s to mid 1900s), which was all about the right to vote. It made me think of the second wave (60s), where people advocated to improve women’s rights and start changing the definition of their role at home. Third wave feminism (90s) challenged the structure of society and how it affects gender roles. It broaden it’s gaze. Now some think we are still in the third wave, but others think that we are in fact in the fourth. The fourth wave (around 2012) is defined by some as justice. More specifically, putting an end to the acceptance of harassment, rape and violence towards women. Now this is where the book brought me, it brought me back to what I had learned about feminism in my history classes and my own research. It reminded me that we still have ways to go and that I am a feminist.

The author knows how to write fluidly, how to captivate her audience. You feel like you’re having a conversation with her. This stands to reason since this book is based of the TED talk she gave a few years ago and it’s equally as captivating. It also made me want to talk (not a surprise for those who knows me) and write. It made me energized and maybe it will do the same for you too!