“Don’t judge this book by its cover. Koa Beck knows that feminism includes all women and girls by definition, and is writing to overcome anti-feminist divisions that divide and defeat us.”
– Gloria Steinem, New York Times bestselling author of My Life on the Road
“Beck is a perceptive cultural critic, but even more importantly, she’s a visionary.”
– The Boston Globe
A timely and impassioned exploration of how our society has commodified feminism and continues to systemically shut outwomen of color—perfect for fans of White Fragility and Good and Mad.
Join the important conversation about race, empowerment, and inclusion in the United States with this powerful new feminist classic and rousing call for change. Koa Beck, writer and former editor-in-chief of Jezebel, boldly examines the history of feminism, from the true mission of the suffragettes to the rise of corporate feminism with clear-eyed scrutiny and meticulous detail. She also examines overlooked communities—including Native American, Muslim, transgender, and more—and their difficult and ongoing struggles for social change.
In these pages she meticulously documents how elitism and racial prejudice has driven the narrative of feminist discourse. She blends pop culture, primary historical research, and first-hand storytelling to show us how we have shut women out of the movement, and what we can do to course correct for a new generation—perfect for women of color looking for a more inclusive way to fight for women’s rights.
Combining a scholar’s understanding with hard data and razor-sharp cultural commentary, White Feminism is a witty, whip-smart, and profoundly eye-opening book that challenges long-accepted conventions and completely upends the way we understand the struggle for women’s equality.
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Raves & Reviews
“Intellectually smart and emotionally intelligent, Beck brilliantly articulates how feminism has failed women of color and non-binary people. She illuminates the broad landscapes of systemic oppression and demands that white feminism evolve lest it continue to be as oppressive as the patriarchy.”
– Patrisse Khan-Cullors, cofounder of Black Lives Matter, New York Times bestselling author of When They Call You a Terrorist, and joint recipient of the Sydney Peace Prize
“Koa Beck writes with passion and insight about the knotted history of racism within women’s movements and feminist culture, past and present. Curious, rigorous, and ultimately generous, White Feminism is a pleasure and an education.”
– Rebecca Traister, New York Times bestselling author of Good and Mad
“With insight and originality White Feminism documents how the contradictions of race and class have undermined U.S. feminism since the very beginning. Beck challenges and inspires us to go beyond narrow, individualized notions of liberation to build genuine movements for justice.”
– Barbara Smith, cofounder of the Combahee River Collective
“Koa Beck has a crystal clear understanding that there is no singular winner in the battle for gender equity. White Feminism is a must-read for anyone ready to challenge just about everything they thought they knew about contemporary feminist discourse.”
– Kimberly Drew, coeditor of Black Futures
“[A] masterful outlining of the progress and flaws of the feminist movement . . . Beck’s clearly laid-out examination and interrogation of white feminism will change the way readers think on a daily level. This new history is a timely call to action, and earns its place as required reading for anyone who claims to care about the future of feminism.”
– Booklist (starred)
“Beck’s use of examples to illustrate her points is highly effective, and every page of this well-rounded book offers fresh insight. This essential account offers a skilled analysis of the ways feminism in the United States has been coopted by white women in pursuit of wealth, and has failed to be inclusive and self-aware of women of color, economically disadvantaged women, and women in the LGBTQ community.”
– Library Journal (starred)
“A timely, compelling dissection of feminism’s reliance on consumerism and useful suggestions for paths forward.”
– Kirkus Reviews (starred)
Excerpts
“The Future Isn’t Female, it’s Gender Fluid,” [Medium]
“Who Gets to Decide What Feminism Looks Like?” [Marketplace]
“Why Don’t Advertisers Target Queer Women?” [LitHub]
“The Problem with Anointing the Celebrity Feminist” [Jezebel]
“We need a multi-gendered, browner feminism for all women’s needs” [Glamour UK]
“We need to re-evaluate feminism to address the needs of all women” [The Big Issue]
“Why ‘White feminism’ began with the suffragettes [The Australian]