I Am a Feminist: Claiming the F-Word in Turbulent Times

Monique Polak, writer of award-winning fiction and nonfiction books for young adults, puts feminism under the microscope in this volume of the “Orca Issues” series from Orca Book Publishers. As the publishers claim on their website:

We strive to produce books that illuminate the experiences of people of all ethnicities, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQ. Our goal is to provide reading material that represents the diversity of human experience to readers of all ages. Orca aims to help young readers see themselves reflected in the books they read. We are mindful of this in our selection of books and have a particular interest in publishing books that celebrate the lives of Indigenous people. Providing young people with exposure to diversity through reading creates a more compassionate world

I Am a Feminist certainly lives up to the publisher’s stated aim. Polak has written a book that is both approachable and interesting for young readers while providing thought-provoking statistics and examples. She deals with the history of feminism beginning as early as the 1830s and follows this activism until the recent #MeToo movement. Polak points out that feminism is a world-wide phenomenon and emphasizes the need for equality and justice for women of all ages and races.

Chapters deal with issues such as body image and how both mainstream and social media influence how women may find it difficult to accept their appearance. Polak looks at modern relationships and discusses sexual double standards, date rape and marriage. Equality in the workplace is also studied and Polak looks as issues such as the pay inequity and sexual harassment faced by women in many professions.

One of the most eye-opening chapters is Polak’s explanation of intersectionality; that is, how people’s lives and experiences are “shaped by their race, class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality.” (p. 117)

She examines each area in turn in an effort to educate readers about the importance of feminism which includes diverse groups in society. It is clear that acceptance of equality and justice, which are the essence of feminism, is an over-arching need in society, affecting all women and men, regardless of their colour, status or sexual orientation.

And how does Polak suggest we, as a society, ensure that feminism becomes the norm rather than an ideal for some and merely a joke for others? There is no obvious or easy solution to such a multi-faceted problem. Polak points out that one way to tackle the issue is to raise young men who are self-declared feminists and, therefore, willing to do their part whether by expressing emotion, taking on non-traditional careers, or standing up to friends and resisting the seemingly omnipresent rape culture in our society.

Polak presents a serious issue and backs her arguments with examples and statistics from around the globe. The book will have an intellectual appeal to many young adult readers, and it is also physically appealing. There are many photos and illustrations which support the text, and, in all chapters, there are brief insets giving details on specific activists and what they are doing to both support the feminism movement and help it evolve. The book also contains a glossary and lists of resources and references. Knowing that this is an ever-changing subject, the author has provided a variety of websites so that her readers will continue to have up-to-date information on aspects of feminism which interest them.

Polak has studied an important and serious subject and is passionate about the cause, yet she presents her information in an informative and interesting format which is easy to read and understand. I Am a Feminist should find its way to libraries and schools across the country and into the hands of the young men and women who will make a difference. As the author says, “It isn’t enough to talk about feminism. We need to take action by standing up not only for ourselves, but also, and especially, for women who are part of marginalized communities.” (p. 15) Hopefully her message will resonate with young adult readers as well as with their parents, teachers and mentors.