I am currently reading some very heavy, traditional material. Having become a maven of ancient literature I expected to enjoy my current reading more than I have done, and part of it is because it is bringing ancient bad ideas into modern thought. I still have a lot more to read, and there have been glimmers of beauty, but it’s still heavy going at the moment.
Just as a chef might add vinegar to bacon grease, I have been adding feminist books into my reading time. I am a young feminist despite my fifty years. My thought process is slow and I was launched from a traditional platform. I think I took up ancient literature as an area of study because I thought I could hide there from my present doubts, but modern injustice still seeks me out and ancient injustice horrifies me.
Melinda Gates certainly does open gates of knowledge both of the current struggle of women around the world and of the proposed solutions. I often feel alone in the world, but Melinda partnered with me as a friend, opening doors and windows to a world that fascinates and frightens me. This should be universal reading for women, even for those who object to contraception and other proposed solutions. It is important to know how the other half is living and to do our best to make sure it is worth living.
My adoption of feminist ideas has been slow and haphazard. Sometimes I wasn’t even sure if my ideas were feminist. I meant to sit down and draft a whole skeleton of what I have learned, but I’m so glad I read this book instead. Succinct, clear, unbiased, are all admirable qualities to have in a book, but particularly in a book that puts forth a definition of as broad and diverse a subject as feminism. I could locate myself quickly, and could still see and appreciate allies who might not agree with all my positions. I loved this book and will keep it handy for reference.
