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Listen Up: Voices from the Next Feminist Generation

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But you must be interested in women or social politics . . .

Even if you think you know what feminism is all about, one of this book's essays should give you a new perspective. It consists of collections of essays from the many different women that call themselves feminists. From lesbians, straight women, bisexuals, african-americans and caucasians, aerobics instructors to full-time writers . . . there is a lot of variety. One section made me cry and I can't forget what I read in there. Another section made me understand a feminist perspective that I had never understood before. If you are a feminist, some of this book may be self-affirming. If you are not yet a feminist, maybe you will learn that you can be one without losing any of your ideals. There is room for everyone in this book.

this is one of the first books i've read about feminism, so i don't proclaim to be an expert, but i really enjoyed reading so many different perspectives about feminism. these women's opinions were interesting to read. i read it straight through one afternoon and was sad to put it down. i particularly enjoyed the essays by curtis sittenfield, abra chernik, nomy lamm, laurel gilbert, jennifer myhre, and cheryl green. the essays seemed a little short to me, though. but my one beef with the book is that every single one of writers was a well-educated woman who had gone at least for her bachelor's. what about women who weren't able to go to college? the book seemed to emphasize varieties of feminism but that varieties of education wasn't taken into account surprised me. there are feminists out there with merely a high school education or even less. i hope maybe someday to see a sequel to this book where those factors are taken into account.

I didn't agree with all the writers compiled in _Listen up_ and some of them pissed me off. But that wasn't the point; there's enough preaching to the choir around here as it is. As a feminist (whatever that means to you) I got angry with the woman who talked about her "quest for the perfect body" and shook my metaphorical fist in the air in support of Nomy Lamm's essay on fat oppression. Looking at this broad spectrum of women who consider themselves "feminists," I was pleased with the diversity; readers of Listen Up will probably find their preconceptions challenged. But as a personal support I feel it has the most value; despite the goofy pink cover, it felt like my life. Right on.

Every Feminist knows one of the biggest internal and external criticisms of the movement: it is too exclusive. Too white, too middle-to-upper-class, too limited to past decades when Feminism was "needed". In short, the argument runs something like this: if Feminism is not indeed dead, it is too exclusive to attract most people.

Listen Up blows this criticism away with its wide range of voices coming from its essays written by all different types of people. In fact, the only thing that all the writers have in common is that they all call themselves a Feminist. They also call themselves everything from white, black, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, Christian, Jewish, Atheist, single, married, straight, lesbian, pro-life, pro-choice, mother, daughter, and much more. All of these descriptions come together to form one anthology that shows that no one has to subscribe to a majority's opinion of what Feminism entails in order to be a Feminist.

Most of the authors in this collection of essays are unknown, but they are all budding Feminists, and they all belong to the "Baby Boom" generation, those who are reshaping and redefining Feminist, proving that it is anything but dead. The authors are a funky collection of brilliant and diverse individuals, and each essay gives an important insight to modern Feminism. This unique book can be read in chronological order, or by picking and choosing the ones that appeal to you the most from its helpful table of contents, which gives an intriguing quote from each of the essays.

Read this book yourself, because it will inspire and motivate your Feminist views and actions. And then give it to a skeptic of Feminism, anyone who claims it is too narrow-minded and exclusive. Feminism is not dead just becuase the war was fought decades ago; rather, it is a war that needs to be continually fought until true equality is reached. As Ellen Neuborne writes in Listen Up in her essay "Imagine My Surprise","It is a dangerous thing to assume that just because we were raised in a feminist era, we are safe. We are not." And as JeeYeun Lee writes in her essay "Beyond Bean Counting", "Women of color do not struggle in feminist movements simply to add cultural diversity." These are just two of the many writers in Listen Up who assert the truth about Feminism: that every woman needs it, that every person should fight for true equality in issues of gender, race, and orientation. Listen Up is a fresh collection of voices by writers that will keep Feminism alive and well during their own generation, and spread the enthusiasm to those to come.

I recieved this book as a gift when it first came out and still refer to it. Although I have since read many other feminist books, this text was one of the first to publically acknowllege that third wave feminists (including myself) necessarily have some differing ideas--which need to be listened to for the movement's ongoing relevancy.

Nommy Lamm's essay on intersecting disability identity with feminism really spoke to my own experiences. I have discovered that even some feminist colleagues will look down on me after realizing that I am a person with a disability. Alternately, some people with disabilities are not interested in a feminist critique of the state and thus do not consider themselves part of this social movement.

However important the disability rights movement of the 1970's---overemphasis on their acchievements ignores the perspective our generation has precisely as a result of growing up with non-discrimination laws AND lingering discrimination. At the same time, I do have privllege because my own disabilities are generally hidden---and I can 'pass' for the so-called normal person.

Indispensible and thought provoking essays from various backgrounds show how women do feminism gen-x style. A definite solace to those of us remaining unconvinced of the Spice Girl's "Girl Power" mantra.

If Kathleen Hannah screaming "You DO HAVE RIGHTS!" into my walkman headphones didn't wake me up, this book sure as hell did. I have loved it so much that I've given it away four times-- sometimes to complete strangers. It will open your eyes and I think its helped keep my friends alive. I highly recommend it.

I recieved this book as a gift from one of the authors when my life was spiraling downward. I read it, and realized there is so much more to life. For any lesbian who feels there's no way to live, for every person who's had to look down instead of holding their head high, this book is for you. I am here today because this book arrived on my doorstep. Read it, you won't be let down. THANK YOU!

There are essays in here that made me laugh out loud, ones that were so devasting I felt sick--and about everything in between. At a time when all you hear about feminism seems to consist of backlash media-queens and grinning twenty-somethings that wouldn't know the big picture if they were IN IT, finding this book about saved my life. Glad to know I'm not the only (24 year old) woman who makes feminism a real part of my life. I loved that so many kinds of women shared their thoughts and stories. A great compilation. Barbara Findlen, I salute you!

If you haven't read much feminist literature, then I imagine that you would find this an interesting book. If you're looking for women's views on feminism - this isn't the book. It is a modern anthology of women's experiences.

I have read a number of books on feminism and found that this book, disappointingly, provided little new on the topic. The stories, although not always well written, are sincere and honest.

To me this book broke a lot of stereotypes among the female population. All the writer's were articulate in stating their views, opinions and personal experience's. Reading this book, felt like I was among friends. So much to relate to, and finaly feeling justified in my life. I'm proud to be a woman and have these women be my voice.