Book Review: Manifesta - Young Women, Feminism, and the Future

Manifesta goes through the gradient of feminism from the “girlie culture” to the passionate feminist activists to the jackass feminists who pride themselves on how feminist they are.

It seems to me that the term feminism is met with an excessive amount of opposition. Ironically, it is many women who constitute a major force in inhibiting the progress of the feminist movement. Simply relying on observation it seems to me that many females (we are talking about when I was in high school mind you) were hesitant about even using the term feminism because they feared the boys in school would then think they were gay. As juvenile and amusing as this sounds the theme still somewhat penetrates through the structure of society in all stages of an individual’s growth. Granted as one grows this theme starts to fade, but not very rapidly.

I think one of the major misconceptions about feminism is that it is seen as a type of extremist group. Not quite along the lines of terrorism but people seem to be more likely to admit to being a terrorist than a feminist. I, for one, refuse to wear a skirt without hairless legs. Still, I would like to see equality among the sexes. The more hardcore feminist may see this as a contradiction but I do not. Manifesta goes through the gradient of feminism from the “girlie culture” to the passionate feminist activists to the jackass feminists who pride themselves on how feminist they are. While each type of feminist is talked about in a positive manner in this work it is not difficult to tell that there are some ranges I oppose.

The book also approaches the subject of potential disagreements with assumed standards of feminism. Just because one does not agree with some aspects, routes, or factions of feminism does not mean one should completely abandon the issue. Make the argument your own, personalize it, and take into consideration your other influences. For example, the girlie culture that is mentioned in the book refers to the women who wear those almost skanky three inch skirts with heels, have smooth legs, and are not lacking in their sex lives. Ok so I am not sure about the sex lives part but I figure with clothes like that it seems like a rather safe assumption to make. Nonetheless they are seen by some as aiding, in a minimal manner, the cause by being proud of the stereotypes applied to women.

Anyhow, the authors mention how those who were present for the onslaught of feminism are disappointed in the lack of progress (as viewed through their eyes) made by the current generation and this causes even more internal conflicts than are needed.

While reading this book I was not exactly intrigued but I suppose I was pacified and determined to finish the work. I found it a very active read because there was some stuff I agreed with and other views that repulsed me. Repulsed is a rather harsh word and more of an extreme feeling than I encountered but it is a great word. At the end of my meager feminist education (given solely by this book) I was better able to state what I believed in. Sometimes it helps to be confronted by thoughts that you do not agree with so that you may establish what it is you DO agree with or believe.

I do not mean to sound preachy but at least I am carrying the tone of the book. The book is not terrible. In fact it even addresses the integral part the riot grrls played in pushing the feminist movement and envelope not only in rock but our culture as well. Buying this book is not a great idea (I made that mistake). It is not an unbearable read and does attempt to call others to action on behalf of the feminist movement. If you are bored, need something to read, have finished reading the current Harry Potter series at least twice, and feel like thinking then pick this book up … men and women alike.

Manifesta - Young Women, Feminism, and the Future

by Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards
(Farrar Straus & Giroux)