Feminism has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Women emphasized that they are more than just women—they are strong, capable leaders who can break down barriers. However, we should keep in mind that feminism should not be limited to liberal feminism; it should be intersectional.
Some advocates delved deeper into intersectional feminism through viewing vlogs, buying books, and listening to podcasts by well-known feminists. Women who had been silent for far too long, especially those who had lost their voices while enduring gender disparities in salary, politics, domestic, and work responsibilities. Mustered the strength to take a stand and fight for their rights.
Here's a list of books written by award-winning feminist authors that can be viewed online. If you want to learn more about intersectional feminism without spending a lot of money on books:
1. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
Trigger Warning: Rape
“This is what most girls are taught—that we should be slender and small. We should not take up space. We should be seen and not heard, and if we are seen, we should be pleasing to men, acceptable to society. And most women know this—that we are supposed to disappear—but it’s something that needs to be said, loudly, repeatedly, so that we can resist surrendering to what is expected of us.”
In her immensely compelling memoir, Hunger, Roxane Gay, an outspoken feminist, and essayist, details her experiences and trauma and her connection with food and her weight. When she was 12 years old, she was gang-raped by the boy she had a crush on and his friends. As a result, she turned to overeat as a solution, believing that she could use it as a fortress to protect herself if she became large enough.
Gay's vulnerability and struggles as a feminist and an obese woman were bravely revealed in this book. She also discussed rape culture, body shaming, racism, obese women, and the fat acceptance movement. If you’re struggling with weight but still want to take up your space, this is the book!
2. Women, Race, and Class (1981) by Angela Davis
Women, Race, and Class focused on the intersections of gender, race, and class in the lives of Black women from slavery to the abolitionist and women's suffrage movements.
Angela Davis also demonstrated how whiteness and elitism's social and political domination in feminism led to the abandonment of solidarity with the working class and Black people. She also demonstrated how inequalities between Black and white women have influenced contemporary concerns, including rape, reproductive freedom, housekeeping, and childcare. She asserted that even though Black women were legally freed from slavery. They were still oppressed and subjected to the worst working conditions such as domestic labor, where they were often exposed to violence at the hands of male employers. She argued that the feminism mentioned above movement failed to address the underlying issue of economic inequality caused by capitalism.
This book explains why everyone, should be intersectional feminists and not just liberal feminists.
3. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969) by Maya Angelou
Trigger Warning: Rape
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”
Maya Angelou deftly covers topics of molestation, rape, and racism in her autobiography, which spans her early years from the age of four to sixteen. She bravely shared her trauma of being raped by her mother’s boyfriend when she was eight years old. The man threatened to kill her brother when her mother and brother discovered the horrific molestation. Broken up to the trial and death of her rapist, which caused her to stop speaking for several years. After some time, Angelou understands that she may be accessible by learning to love herself, cultivating a strong spirit, and loving literature.
If you're looking for something painful yet uplifting and powerful, this one's for you!
4. Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America (2011) by Melissa Harris-Perry
Sister Citizen focused on Black women's lived experiences, particularly their challenges with being stereotyped as Jezebel (the overly sexual woman), Mammy (the devoted employee to her white masters), and Sapphire (the angry Black woman). Harris-Perry emphasized how prevailing prejudices influenced the way Americans perceive Black women, hindering the latter’s ability to engage as American citizens, particularly in terms of political opinions. If you enjoy reading books with concepts backed up by peer-reviewed sources, empirical data, and political analysis, this book is for you.
5. Feminism Is for Everybody (2000) by bell hooks
Feminism Is for Everybody is a straightforward and concise introduction to intersectional feminism, with concepts and theories stated simply and plainly to demonstrate that feminism is for everyone. The author, bell hooks, addressed several common misconceptions about the feminist movement. Emphasizing that it is fighting “to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression,” contrary to popular belief that it is anti-male. She also addressed some of the challenges that feminists face, including reproductive rights, violence, race, class, and work.
If you are interested in learning more about feminism without understanding all the jargon, you must read this book.
6. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race (2017) by Reni Eddo-Lodge
“Discussing racism is not the same thing as discussing ‘Black identity.’ Discussing racism is about discussing white identity. It’s about white anxiety.”
In multiple chapters, I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race examines class, race, gender, and privilege issues. The history of slavery and racism in the United Kingdom; also looked at white privileged, white-washed feminism. Reni Eddo-Lodge authored this book to close the gap in the race discourse and emphasize that feminism should be a movement that looks to emancipate. Individuals, particularly disabled, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, and working-class people. She pointed out that feminism can only be said to have succeeded when poverty is eradicated. By default, women are no longer compelled to work “two jobs (the care and emotional labor for their families and their day jobs).”
If you’re searching for a book standing for the difficulties of overcoming structural racism, this is a must-read.
7. Hood Feminism (2020) by Mikki Kendall
“For a movement that is meant to represent all women, it often centers on those who already have most of their needs met.”
Hood Feminism is a compelling collection of writings that delves into societal issues. Such as hunger, poverty, violence, homelessness, health disparities, homophobia, and socioeconomic inequities that have impacted women of color. In this book, Mikki Kendall takes aim at liberal feminism. Claiming that it has consistently failed to meet the needs of all women. Regularly focusing on increasing privilege rather than survival or discussing major feminist issues. This book aims to encourage everyone to examine their privilege and act.
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Written by: Daisy Mae Concepcion
Layout and Design by: Dan Kurt Buenaventura
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