Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World ed. by Kelly Jensen (review)

In this compilation, over forty writers, academics, actors, politicians, etc., contribute their ideas, concerns, and thoughts on feminism; interspersed are brief overviews of historical moments in women’s history and contemporary references to feminism in pop culture. Roxane Gay’s well known “Bad Feminist” essay (edited down here) is effectively placed near the opening of the book, making a welcoming and warmhearted gesture to readers who may just be dipping their toes into feminism or for those young teens who proudly wear the banner but wonder if they are feminist “enough.” Subsequent entries explore issues of sex and sexuality, body image, relationships, sexual violence, and social status in various formats, including poetry, comics, interviews, and photographs, and the tone ranges from somberness, to anger, and to humor with ease. Lily Myers’ poem “Shrinking Women” is a heartbreaking examination of the women in her family; Mindy Kaling offers a humorous essay on moving past high school; Laurie Halse Anderson reminds readers “the patriarchy is still going balls to the wall” and that YA lit is a significant medium for communication with young people. The movement’s complicated history is acknowledged as well: the lack of representation of women of color for years, its problematic relationship with the transgender population, its longtime ignorance of working class women are all considered, though the focus is mostly centered on western countries. Feminism remains a hot-button topic, and this makes an excellent introduction to a complicated movement based on a simple concept of equality. A list of further reading and contributor bios are appended.