Rather than seeking to abolish social hierarchy, it aims to ‘diversify’ it, ‘empowering’ ‘talented’ women to rise to the top. Its real aim is not equality, but meritocracy. “Centered in the global North among the professional-managerial stratum, is focused on ‘leaning-in’ and ‘cracking the glass ceiling.’ Dedicated to enabling a smattering of privileged women to climb the corporate ladder and the ranks of the military, it propounds a market-centered view of equality that dovetails perfectly with the prevailing corporate enthusiasm for ‘diversity.’ Although it condemns ‘discrimination’ and advocates ‘freedom of choice,’ liberal feminism steadfastly refuses to address the socioeconomic constraints that make freedom and empowerment impossible for the large majority of women.

Here’s a quote from the beginning of the book that addresses the problem with liberal feminism, a common form of feminism within contemporary society: I loved this book for its bold and uncompromising call for moving beyond a form of feminism that serves white and/or wealthy women.

Written by three of the organizers of the international women’s strike, Feminism for the 99% draws from women’s mobilizing efforts in countries such as Mexico, Spain, Brazil, and more to expand feminism to dismantle economic, environmental, and racist injustice. A powerful manifesto that compels us to make our feminism more revolutionary, specifically by targeting capitalism as a primary root of women’s oppression.

Feminism for the 99% by Cinzia Arruzza