Best of
Feminist-Studies

2015

Light in the Dark/Luz en lo Oscuro: Rewriting Identity, Spirituality, Reality


Gloria E. Anzaldúa - 2015
    Anzaldúa's mature thought and the most comprehensive presentation of her philosophy. Throughout, Anzaldúa weaves personal narratives into deeply engaging theoretical readings to comment on numerous contemporary issues—including the September 11 attacks, neocolonial practices in the art world, and coalitional politics. She valorizes subaltern forms and methods of knowing, being, and creating that have been marginalized by Western thought, and theorizes her writing process as a fully embodied artistic and political practice. Resituating Anzaldúa's work within Continental philosophy and new materialism, Light in the Dark takes Anzaldúan scholarship in new directions.

Freedom Fallacy: The Limits of Liberal Feminism


Miranda KiralyMargaret Thornton - 2015
    From female celebrities to male politicians, it seems almost everyone is keen to use the f-word. But are there limits to this 'pop feminist' approach to liberation? Taking on topics from pornography and prostitution to female genital mutilation, from women's magazines and marriage to sexual violence, contributors in this collection argue that the kind of liberal feminism currently rising to prominence does little to challenge the status quo. Aiming to revive a more radical analysis, the chapters in this book confront the dangers of reducing feminism to a debate about personal choice and offer the possibility of change through collective action. Contributors include: Meghan Donevan. Teresa Edwards. Kate Farhall. Shakira Hussein. Natalie Jovanovski. Miranda Kiraly. Julia Long. Finn Mackay. Laura McNally. Meghan Murphy. Caroline Norma. Camille Nurka. Helen Pringle. Kaye Quek. Naela Rose. Laura Tarzia. Margaret Thornton. Meagan Tyler. Rebecca Whisnant.

Living in the Crosshairs: The Untold Stories of Anti-Abortion Terrorism


David S. Cohen - 2015
    Yet ever since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, anti-abortion forces have tried nearly every tactic to eliminate it. Legislative and judicial developments dominate the news, but a troublingand all-too-common phenomenon-targeted vigilante action against individual abortion providers-is missing from the national discussion, only cropping up when a dramatic story like the murder of an abortion provider pushes it to the forefront. Every day, men and women who are associated with abortioncare are harassed, threatened, stalked, picketed, sent hate mail, and otherwise terrorized. Those who seek help from the law are sometimes successful, but not always, either because there are insufficient protections built into the law, or because law enforcement officials fail to respond.In Living in the Crosshairs, the voices of these providers are heard for the first time, through extensive interviews that David S. Cohen and Krysten Connon conducted across the country. Abortion providers are targeted at home, at work, or in community spaces; they can be harassed in person oronline. Abortion opponents target not only the providers themselves but also may go after their families, neighbors, and others close to them. This kind of targeting happens anywhere in the country, not just in more conservative areas, and can victimize all providers, not just high-profile doctors.For some, being the victim of targeted harassment inspires significant fear and leads to changes in behavior; for others, it has become a normal part of life; and for yet others, it actively strengthens their resolve. The response of law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels isspotty-though there are some strong laws on the books, especially at the federal level, abortion providers have had mixed experiences when it comes to legal recourse, and effectiveness varies. Drawing on ideas from the interviews, the authors propose several legal and societal reforms that couldimprove the lives of providers, foremost among them redefining targeted harassment as terrorism rather than protest.Living in the Crosshairs is a rich and humane portrait of women's health professionals who persist in their work despite harassment because they believe in what they are doing. These providers' voices have not been heard in recent debates, leaving the public with a deficient understanding of exactlyhow abortion is limited in this country, yet their experiences illuminate the truth of the issue and offer us a path to a better policy.

Empowered: The Symbolism, Feminism, & Superheroism of Wonder Woman


Valerie Estelle Frankel - 2015
    To others, she’s a racy Halloween costume or inspiring feminist role model. Which is true? This book analyzes each era of Wonder Woman, from the Golden Age to George Pérez and Gail Simone’s reboots to The New 52 and television shows, cartoons, and films. Which teach the right messages for girls and boys? Which have problematic symbols? Most of all, which present an empowering female superhero and which just a fun-loving princess in an improbably clinging corset? Let’s find out.