Ms Traister thought she wrote this book for women, to enable women who are angry and feel they are not truly equals in U.S. society to know they are not alone, that they have power, and they CAN bring about change, even transformational change. She is only partly correct. This also is a book for men. As a white male of more years than I care to admit, I found the book to be superb. I have have been a feminist since I first stood up for the rights of a woman when I was 5 years old--honest, 5.
The criticisms of this book, mostly by males (all of whom probably are white) are unfortunate and misguided. I am not going to speculate on what prompted their criticisms given there probably are different reasons--comfort with the status quo, too deeply steeped in the idea anger is bad, sexism, insecure in their masculinity and/or relationships with women to name but 4.
As a (virtually) life long feminist, I wish this book had been written when I was a college student in the 1960's and had been assigned for class to read by one of my professors. Even though I long have been deeply involved in the Women's Rights movement (along with Civil Rights, Immigrant Rights, and Anti War), I gained tremendous insight from the book. Particularly valuable to me was Ms Traister's discussions of the subtle, often difficult to see, manifestations of sexism and gender inequality. Certainly men's tendency to interrupt women when they are talking and to talk over them is relatively obvious. It irritates me when someone tries talk over me; I only can imagine how infuriating it must be for women to endure this constantly. But, other things she discusses might not be as obvious; such as how women, historically and today, do not receive the same kinds of credit as men. An excellent example would be Renaissance artists. We think all of the great Renaissance artists are men. Not so, even though, in the Renaissance, art was considered a man's occupation. The "Great Masters" all were male. Yet, Renaissance women fought hard to be allowed to become artists, and they produced some magnificent art as beautiful as anything produced by a man. Fortunately, we can see their magnificent works in museums even if art history books tend to minimize their contributions to art. We all read something about Joan of Arc, but women's roles in important historical events are subordinated to the roles of men. Today, it is much the same. As Ms Traister discusses, throughout U.S. history, rights movements have been instigated by women who often were the early leaders. Yet, their leadership was supplanted by men; and women's accomplishments as leaders of movements were relegated to historical footnotes.
Ms Traister certainly is mad, and rightfully so. This has not kept her from writing a very clear-headed book. It has many valuable insights and much solid analysis. Yes, women are angry. Men who do not believe this should ask them. And yes, there are women, who, for whatever reason, are satisfied with the status quo and their subordinate position in the home and in society. But, my experience--and not just in the Women's Rights movement--tells me those women are a minority. Most women carry, whether consciously or subconsciously, carry anger with them on a daily basis--minute by minute, second by second.
Dr. King, whose own record on women's rights is not as good as it should have been, was absolutely correct when he said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every where" Women, as minorities, have suffered and endured injustice throughout our great nation's history. We all, white males included, have suffered for that. Everyone has lost and suffered because of the contributions women have not been permitted to make to our society simply because of their gender. Perhaps this focus on injustice within our society is the greatest contribution of Ms Traister's book. She repeatedly demonstrated the interconnectedness of Women's Rights, with Workers' Rights, with Minority Rights, with Civil Rights, with Immigrant Rights. We all are in this together, whether we want to acknowledge that. The opportunities of white men are not diminished by genuinely equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, citizenship/immigration status, religion. Equal opportunity for those historically denied equal opportunity actually creates more opportunity for all of us. If we want a more just, more equal, more democratic, more productive, more prosperous society, we need to recognize and accept our anger, and use it to mobilize; just as activists have done historically and as Ms Traister advocates.
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Read it. Period.
I wish I had the words to describe how this book made me feel.Angry, of course. Frustrated. Sad. Disappointed. Proud.But so much more.I felt seen. Heard. And most importantly, not alone.It’s a hard read for so many reasons, but worth it.This book is an exploration of women’s anger, who it affects, how it’s perceived, and when it has fueled the transformation of politics.It’s a reminder that women’s anger, collectively and unrestrained, can change history.
Top reviews from other countries
Viviane Kettermann
O porquê de estarmos e porquê deveremos estar bravas
Reviewed in Brazil on November 25, 2018
AK
Strong analysis and expression of women's anger ad a driving force behind strive for change
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 22, 2018