Catching a Wave: Reclaiming Feminism for the 21st Century

by Rory Dicker (Editor), Alison Piepmeier (Editor), Katha Pollitt (Other), Jennifer Baumgardner (Other)

Overview

Young women today have benefited from the strides made by grassroots social activists in the 1960s and 1970s, yet they are hesitant to identify themselves as feminists and seem apathetic about carrying the torch of older generations to redress persistent sexism and gender-based barriers. Contesting the notion that we are in a post-feminist age, this provocative collection of original essays identifies a third wave of feminism. The contributors argue that the next generation needs to develop a politicized, collective feminism that both builds on the strategies of second wave feminists and is grounded in the material realities and culture of the twenty-first century.

Organized in five sections that mirror the stages of consciousness-raising, this is an engaging, often edgy, look at a broad range of perspectives on the diversity, complexity, multiplicity, and playfulness of the third wave. It is also a call to action for new voices to redefine a feminism that is not only personally aware but also politically involved.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781555538569
Publisher:	Northeastern University Press
Publication date:	02/01/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	710 KB

About the Author

Rory Dicker is Assistant Professor of English at Westminster College. She lives in Columbia, Missouri. Alison Piepmeier is Senior Lecturer in Women's Studies at Vanderbilt University. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Katha Pollitt is a poet, essayist, and columnist for 'The Nation.' Jennifer Baumgardner writes for various magazines, including 'Ms,' 'Harper's,' and 'Elle,' and is the coauthor (with Amy Richards) of 'Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future.'

Table of Contents

Introduction—Rory Dicker and Alison Piepmeier

ONE NEEDING FEMINISM
The "Big Lie": False Feminist Death Syndrome, Profit, and the Media—Jennifer L. Pozner
In a Word, Baywatch—Susannah B. Mintz
Reviving Lolita; or, Because Junior High Is Still Hell—Alyssa Harad
TWO COMING TO FEMINISM
"That's Not Fair!" Nurturing Girls' Natural Feminism—Nancy Gruver
Voices and Visions: A Mother and Daughter Discuss Coming to Feminism and Being Feminist—Roxanne Harde and Erin Harde
Please~Stop Thinking about Tomorrow: Building a Feminist Movement on College Campuses for Today—Sarah Boonin
THREE RECOGNIZING FEMINISM
Who's the Next Gloria? The Quest for the Third Wave Superleader —Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Next Generation of Television—Michele Byers
Third World, Third Wave Feminism(s): The Evolution of Arab American Feminism
Susan Muaddi Darraj
FOUR REDEFINING FEMINISM
Feminism's Family Problem: Feminist Generations and the Mother-Daughter Trope—Astrid Henry
Do the Ladies Run This... ? Some Thoughts on Hip-Hop Feminism—Gwendolyn D. Pough
The Transfeminist Manifesto—Emi Koyama
FIVE DOING FEMINISM
Hearing the Daughter Voice: The Bat Kol as Rrrabbi Grrrl—Alana Suskin
Rocking the Gender Order—Mimi Schippers
Pranks and Fake Porn: Doing Feminism My Way—Kristina Sheryl Wong

Afterword —Katha Pollitt and Jennifer Baumgardner
Bibliography
Contributos
Index

Editorial Reviews

Rory Dicker and Alison Piepmeier edited the book they wanted to read and teach, constructing it around the consciousness-raising model to reflect the progression from self-discovery to feminist identification and collective political action. This organization makes Catching a Wave a unique primer for people new to feminism and its ideals. Its chapters also reawaken those of us who need a reminder of the connections among our personal lives, the hegemonic social order, and superstructures.”—SIGNS

“Compelling and conversational without sounding angry or overtly academic . . . ”—Transformations

From the Publisher

This collection of original essays about the "third wave" of feminism addresses the concerns of young feminists today. Edited and introduced by Dicker (English, Westminster Coll.) and Piepmeier (women's studies, Vanderbilt Univ.), the essays focus on consciousness-raising through philosophy, world reality, and history. The premise is that a new generation of feminists is much needed to eradicate the pervasive sexism of our culture. Included are timely pieces that regard such topics as the role of feminism in the Middle East, the importance of developing feminist movements on college campuses, and the quest for a third-wave super-leader. Interspersed among the more serious essays are such delights as an analysis of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a discussion of hip-hop feminism, and a look at a mail-order bride/fake porn satirical web site (www.bigbadchinesemama.com). Intended for those with a serious interest in women's studies, the book is well organized and detailed and contains an extensive bibliography. Essential for academic institutions, it is also recommended for public libraries to complement their feminist collections.-Melody Ballard, Washoe Cty. Lib. Syst., Reno, NV Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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