Catching a Wave: Reclaiming Feminism for the 21st Century FROM THE PUBLISHER
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.
Author Biography: 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.'
SYNOPSIS
The fifteen essays of this collection should goad students to rethink their notions of gender and feminism. Nowhere dry and theoretical, the essays reflect the ideals and activities of feminists, treating themes that include current myths about feminism, an undergraduate course on Nabokov's Lolita, stereotypes of women in the media, developing feminist programs at US colleges, and definitions of Third Wave feminism (the 'wave' of the title). The contributors are editors, authors, academics, graduate students, and activists in North America. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
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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