Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future

This book is one of the most interesting books I've read on third wave feminism. The two young authors tell it like it really is (or was, as reading today you can see that the book is already somewhat dated even though it was only published a few years ago). They give a very fair and open-minded look at many feminist issues from dealing with different generations of feminism (and why they often struggle when working together) to whether it is good or bad that companies such as Mattel (makers of Barbie) sponsor feminist-oriented organizations. The book is highly entertaining, and even though it looks like a hefty read, it is so enjoyable and fast-paced that it will be done before you know it. The thing that makes this book really unique though, is the resource kit in the back complete with webpages, books, and addresses for just about anything a feminist of any age could be looking for. I highly reccomend this book!

Manifesta is truly inspirational and a call to action for all people, but third wave feminists in particular. Women today live better lives as a result of changes feminism has made in society; this book examines these changes and where we need to go in order to make more progress in the future. Manifesta also includes extensive appendices detailing a great deal of information and other media resources related to modern feminist activism.

Goodness...there is little more to say about this book than pure 'goodness'. As I sit here, barely hanging onto my Gen-X membership card (being only 19) staring lovingly at this book,which is a fantastic look at the ways in which women of today, feminists of today, approach the world. Some might say that Jennifer and Amy are too far away from the 'everyday' feminist movement to get to the heart of it but I beg to differ. They have been there and their anecdotes tell us that. Although I know that the movement doesn't revolve around dinner parties with Elizabeth Wurtzel, of 'Prozac Nation' fame, and sleep-overs with Gloria Steinem, but for those of us in college, those of us learning how to be feminists and learning how to be women, we can aspire to being those types of women. We can aspire to talk about these issues with our friends, we can look at these incredibly intelligent women and say 'that's the kind of women that I want to be'. I personally have Jennifer Baumgardner Wallpaper on my computer. The activism that they suggest at the end of the book is doable, the 'zines they mention are accessible forms of feminism for a younger generation and their knowledge, research and strong personal opinions are inspiring. They reinforce the old slogan that 'the personal is political' by interspersing facts with their personal stories and struggles with everything from abortion to date rape to STDs. Although they point out that there is no figurehead, no icon for the Third Wave, I think that they have proved themselves to be members of the official committee on the subject. This is proved through their activism, through their tireless commiment to decent journalism in a world dominated by overpaid men, and through this book, Manifesta...my Manifesta and an integral book to anyone who wants to understand the one thing that women of this age/my age are looking for...other women who care.

When most people hear the word "feminism," they think of the Women's Movement of the 60's and 70's and its legacy into the 80's and 90's as these famous women have aged. Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Kate Millett... these are the names that come to mind.But wait. There is now an entire generation of *adult* women who have never known a world without feminism. The women born from the mid-60's to 1980 or so are now in their 20's and 30's. Are they feminists too? How do they see the world that women live in?Until recently, we have not heard these women's voices. There are two common stories as to why: some people say that feminism has succeeded, and we don't need it anymore, so of course young women are quieter than the older feminists. Others (often the older feminists, in fact) say that young women are "slackers" and generally just not as politically savvy and motivated as older feminists. They wring their hands and wonder how the movement will go on if young women will not pick up the banner."Manifesta" proves both of these viewpoints incorrect. At last, we hear two young feminists' voices loudly and clearly. Baumgartner and Richards speak with intelligence and insight about where feminism is right now, and where it's going. They have been in the front lines of the women's movement, and they bring the fresh perspective of young women-- women of the "third wave" of feminism (those who have grown up in a world with feminism).Older feminists cannot see what young women are doing because they are doing it differently. Third wave feminism has a different flavor than the second wave feminism of the 70's-- and this is a sign of *progress*. Because of the efforts of the second wave, the third wave lives in a different world, and not surprisingly, has different attitudes and different battles to fight. For indeed, the fight is not over.Baumgartner and Richards clearly lay out the issues facing women today, with plenty of references and supporting evidence. They don't just see gloom and doom-- there *has* been progress since the 70's. But there are still frustrating gaps in women's equality, as well as *new* issues that have emerged since the 70's. Readers of "Manifesta" will gain a solid understanding of where the women's movement is today from the perspective of those who are living it right now and are facing its most crucial issues in their own lives. This is a much-needed perspective simply as a contrast to the views of aging second-wave feminists.No one's understanding of feminism is complete without hearing the intelligent voices of the third wave. "Manifesta" delivers on this point, and for that reason alone, should be read by anyone interested in feminism.Ironically, however, the weakest part of "Manifesta" is the 13-point "manifesta" itself. This is a laundry list of the most important issues facing the third wave, and what we should do about them. But it was mistake to write this "manifesta"-- it comes off too much like a party platform or a r

Where does one go to learn about that latest goings-on in the world of feminism? This is one excellent source. Even though I consider myself relatively educated in this area, this book has filled in the information gaps I didn't even know I had. Great stuff!