Abstract
Margaret A. McLaren’s book titled, Women’s Activism, Feminism, and Social Justice, introduces a new conceptual framework, “feminist social justice” and discusses its need and relevance in current times. A feminist social justice approach recognizes that individuals, communities, and institutions exist and function in relation to one another and that it is critical to reconceptualize social justice through a relational and intersectional lens. Relational interdependence reminds us that we all play a part in creating and sustaining inequalities and are impacted by it. Consequently, based on our identities and social positionality, we are responsible for enacting change. On the other hand, intersectionality acknowledges the interconnectedness between identities, experiences, and social structures and links the personal to the political. Using both frameworks, the author presents the work of two grassroots organizations in India (MarketPlace and Self Employed Women’s Association) to demonstrate that gender oppression is complex and multifaceted. Through compelling real-world examples, the author argues that individual and collective actions in the pursuit of global gender justice can and must coexist.
The author presents and discusses several interrelated theoretical arguments related to intersectionality, empowerment, transnational feminism, and relational cosmopolitanism. Extensive theoretical discussions, however, do not get overwhelming because the author carefully guides readers through effective applications of these theoretical frameworks in practice. More importantly, the author presents succinct arguments in jargon-free language, which makes the book accessible to a diverse audience, much beyond the academic world.
As a feminist researcher who has worked with women from marginalized communities in India, this book is a welcome change. None of the author’s arguments position the Global South as inferior or see women from marginalized communities through a pitiful lens. The author strays away from the ever-frequent Western imperialism and rightly warns readers to not impose Western definitions and frameworks of feminism on the Global South. The author reminds us that viewing women’s lives and social realities only through a gender lens, particularly in the Global South, is a simplistic and limiting perspective. For instance, the author rightfully asserts that when women are struggling for daily subsistence, a Western-based rights discourse that prioritizes civil and political rights, at the expense of social and economic rights, is a classist and privileged standpoint. Furthermore, instead of blaming structural injustices in India on culture and tradition, the author sees value in the role of local contexts and practices while developing approaches for transnational work and advancing efforts toward global gender justice.
To date, the Global North has dictated ways in which the Global South must act. The book moves away from this problematic framework and calls for a sociopolitical imagination, that is, creating collaborative spaces where we can work with rather than for vulnerable communities. The author advocates for a social justice framework that reflects the realities of women in the Global South and recognizes the inherent resources and resilience embedded in these communities. However, what is missing is a deeper discussion of and reflection on the author’s positionality and motivations that shaped the foundational work for the book. The author briefly mentions that a participatory research approach was adopted in working with both grassroots organizations but, unfortunately, does not delve deeper. More in-depth discussion related to how the author established relationships with these organizations and key lessons learned through the process could foster future Global North–Global South relationships that are collaborative and nonexploitative.
The global, COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us of our global connectedness and at the same time highlighted structural disparities and divisive leadership in global settings. Margaret McLaren’s book has much to contribute during these current volatile times in which conversations and action to address systemic inequality and injustice in the United States, in India, and across the globe are necessary. The book showcases powerful examples to demonstrate the value of collaborative leadership and the relevance of a feminist social justice approach in building transnational solidarity. The book moves us to rethink definitions of feminism and social justice. Feminism is not just a fight for gender equality. In societies, where forms of oppression are interlinked, a sole battle for gender equality is futile. The book raises critical questions that will motivate every feminist researcher, practitioner, educator, and activist to rethink and reconceptualize their own work through a feminist social justice lens.
