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Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop
by Serene Khader
For readers of Hood Feminism and Against White Feminism, an incisive examination of why the pillars of feminism have eroded—and how all women, not just the #girlbosses, can rebuild them.
After over 175 years, the feminist movement, now in its fourth wave, is at risk of collapsing on its eroding foundation. In Faux Feminism, political philosopher Serene Khader advocates for another feminism—one that doesn't overwhelmingly serve white, affluent #girlbosses. With empathy, passion, and wit, Khader invites the reader to join her as she excavates the movement's history and draws a blueprint for a more inclusive and resilient future.
A feminist myth buster, Khader begins by deconstructing "faux feminisms." Thought to be the pillars of good feminism, they may appeal to many but, in truth, leave most women behind. Khader identifies these traps that white feminism lays for us all, asking readers to think critically about:
In later chapters, Khader draws on global and intersectional feminist lessons of the past and present to imagine feminism's future. She pays particular attention to women of color, especially those in the Global South. Khader recounts their cultural and political stories of building a more inclusive framework in their societies. These are the women, she argues, from whom today's feminists can learn.
Khader's critical inquiry begets a new vision of feminism: one that tackles inequality at the societal, not individual, level and is ultimately rooted in community.
"Well researched compellingly written, and passionately argued ... a fascinating and informative read." —Kirkus Reviews
"Faux Feminism is an incisive and compelling book that gets to the heart of the issue. Khader has made a crucial contribution toward showing the path forward for feminists. The clarity and poise of her writing further make Faux Feminism an essential and marvelous read." —Rafia Zakaria, author of Against White Feminism: Notes on Disruption
"Brave, brilliant, and bracing, Serene Khader's Faux Feminism is a vital, timely book for anyone who wants to become attuned to misogynistic and racist ideas in feminist garb—or the way feminists ourselves can perpetuate these harms under the aegis of certain longstanding, deeply held myths that dog the movement. In excavating these ideas forensically and patiently, Khader has given us a must-read for anyone with a conscience in our times, striving to do—and think—better." —Kate Manne, author of Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women
"An engaging, smart, and persuasive exploration of 'faux feminism' and its dangers... . Faux Feminism is a page-turner—timely, beautifully argued, and important reading in an era of misinformation, consumer capitalism, and right-wing populism." —Chandra Talpade Mohanty, Feminism Without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practicing Solidarity
This information about Faux Feminism was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Serene J. Khader is professor of philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center and author of Decolonizing Universalism: A Transnational Feminist Ethic. She holds the Jay Newman Chair in Philosophy of Culture at Brooklyn College, and her work on global women's issues has been published in outlets such as the New York Times. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
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