Abstract
Victoria Bromley is well versed in her subject through years of creative and patient teaching at the university level. This book represents years of learning from teaching on her part and offers that as a gift to readers, particularly students who are just venturing into feminist thinking. Bromley notes that only about 10% of her students identify themselves as feminists when asked in class. Then, she asks them whether they support equal rights, equal pay, equal access to education, reproductive freedom, accessible and affordable child care, or ending violence against women. Many more students are willing to say they support these issues, and Bromley suggests to them that perhaps they may really be feminists. As a reader and an academic, I was hooked by this seemingly minor anecdote precisely because it mirrors my experience in the classroom: My students say they cannot possibly be feminists because they “are not angry” or they “think men are OK.” At the same time, they do support many of the major achievements of feminist movements and, in fact, recognize that they are also beneficiaries. Not only do many of my students respond this way, but even activist women I have been interviewing, many of whom came of age in the 1950s and 1960s have trouble identifying themselves as feminists. The first two chapters of this book, “Don’t Call Me That!” and “What’s Feminism Done (For Me) Lately?” demystify feminisms by addressing basic issues of patriarchy and how patriarchy affects women and men, particularly in the power to name and define what is true and the contributions that feminists have made that still benefit us today. Along with a generous use of cartoon illustrations of major points, Bromley’s discussion of various f-words is humorous and engaging, especially when she acknowledges that “even flatulence has a better “rep” than feminism” (p. 1).
Bromley makes a strong contribution in this book by connecting feminist activist history to theory; her aim is to get readers, especially young readers, to “do” feminisms, to push the envelope on activism, and to help shape a more just and equal society. The book includes chapters on theories, from postmodernism and poststructuralism, to queering and globalizing, and through a thoughtful critique of “postfeminism.” Bromley makes theories accessible to the reader and provides excellent references for those who want to learn more. Each chapter is short and well focused and is followed by questions for study and discussion, making the book practical for classrooms and study groups.
Bromley has done an exceptional job of rendering dense and complex material accessible to readers who are interested in understanding current and historical feminisms and will aid educators in helping students connect theories to praxis. Her clear writing and sensible, thorough approach will meet many readers just where they are at, from those who wonder whether feminisms have anything to offer them to more knowledgeable and experienced people who want to share the importance of feminisms with students, friends, and family members.