My Rating - 5 out of 5 stars
Publisher - Harper CollinsGenre - Non-Fiction/Feminism
Publishing year - 2014
Language - English
ISBN - 978-0-00-811527-2
Pages - 52
Book Review -
I never read a book revolving around feminism. This is the first one, and it made me think about many things that I am already struggling with. Many people believe that feminism is a modern concept, but let me clarify that this word was first coined in 1837 by Charles Fourier in France.
There are many misconceptions about feminism; most people don't understand it or didn't want to. Because who wants to change? Or who wants to believe in fair rights? No one. Right? Some of them do, especially women. Because they are the ones who feel oppressed, they are the ones who are wronged by males in the name of culture, traditions, dominance, and what not?
A fight for equal rights is going on for a very long time, and now it's more expressive because of social media (so don't you dare say that it's a modern concept). But, unfortunately, with that comes all types of rubbish we saw on news debates or those who want to create chaos or gain publicity. They don't care about the problem or the suffering endured by women for centuries.
What exactly are Feminism and Feminist?
Feminism - Social, Political, Financial equality on all levels.
Feminist - A person who supports women's equal rights.
Currently, people say this word to someone that it is a wrong thing, like ohh, you're a feminist, or stop behaving like a feminist, women have equal rights, then why people like you are creating so much drama. These are a few things that a feminist hears. Why? Because they are done with misogyny and male domination, our society told us to keep quiet and suffer in silence. When we don't, we are labeled by many names.
Male and females are different when it comes to physical strength. But when it comes to mental strength, things are pretty opposite, which is what it is about. A woman gets less salary and men higher for the same work; it is one example of women's abilities and efforts deemed inconsiderable.
We use the word respect for something a woman shows a man, but not often for something a man shows a woman.
Let's take a classic example of an Indian household; after marriage, both partners worked and were tired. Men prefer to take a bath and relax in front of the tv, not wanted to do anything else, while the woman has to clean the house, prepare dinner, think about the lunch menu for the next day, etc. Because we introduce these ideas in men's minds that cooking and cleaning is only a female's job.
Equality will come when we teach our children or ourselves that the things we expect only from women are called gender prejudicing. A single person can't change the whole world, but that same person can undoubtedly bring a difference in their household. Stop being a misogynist in the name of traditions, or if you think that your father and grandfather never help their wives, so why should we do that? Change your thinking. Teach the right ideas to your boys, and show your girls that it's okay to not know cooking or it's okay if they ask for equal rights. Because they deserve it.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is all about a world where we all have equal rights. The author delivered a speech at TEDx Euston, and this book is a revised transcription of that parlance. She shares her experience and the people she knows. Some of them were victims, and some rose in the challenging circumstances and become feminists.
This short read is suitable for those who don't have any idea about feminism. For them, it will be a good starter. The author conveys her message perfectly in a subtle voice. I am a proud feminist, and I highly recommend this book.
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