by Raven Thissel
Wait, are they seriously discussing a book ban?! Oh, HELL no!!! The world loves to tell women who we are, what we’re worth, and where our place is supposed to be. Fuck that noise! For many, this is the first time in your life that you’ve sought to educate yourself on the real story—the one that explains why things are the way they are and gives us the tools to rise above it. Even if you’re a women’s history buff, you may not fully understand how this movement could make a real difference in society, how the lack of inclusion has caused feminism to fail or why that f-word makes so many Black women cringe… It comes down to this: the more we understand the forces trying to box us in, the more power we have to break free and shape something better.
Knowledge is power isn’t a groundbreaking concept, but it’s cliche for a reason. When we educate ourselves about feminism, intersectionality, and the systems of our own oppression, we become harder to manipulate, harder to silence, and a lot harder to break. This is about building a foundation that lets us question, resist, and, most importantly, choose for ourselves. We deserve that—and so much more.
No one is coming to educate us about the ways we don’t even realize we’ve been conditioned or design a custom pathway to equity for us. So to get us started, I curated this content guide to help women listen above the noise and start shaping a new reality together. The list is in no way comprehensive, it's just a place to start and I'll update it over time so let me know what's missing. We need to sharpen and focus our minds, channel our collective rage into deliberate action, and most importantly, we need each other. Racism and classism are primary tools that have prevented womanism from effectiveness, so this list will help us cease the moment to pivot into an intersectional and inclusive wave of activism.
My hope is that you use these resources to decolonize your perspective and start to conceptualize strategies for real women’s liberation, especially for the Black and brown women that continue to suffer at the hands of patriarchy at significantly higher rates than white women in our nation. With this knowledge, we can take back the pen and write the next chapter of the story of America for ourselves. When we’re informed, we’re wise; when we’re wise, we unite; and when we unite, we’re unstoppable.
WHAT TO READ:
Concerning Inclusive, Intersectional Feminism (also called Womanism)
American feminism was never intended to uplift every woman - only white women. Intersectional feminism, or womanism, recognizes that being a woman isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience—our race, sexuality, and socioeconomic background change how the world treats us, what we need, and how we can approach change. After consuming these books, you’ll have no questions about why we’re pushing back against the outdated expectations thrown on women. You’ll also learn why feminism is a cringeworthy word for most Black women and a better approach to how we move all forward.
- Ain’t I a Woman by Bell Hooks
- Eloquent Rage by Brittany Cooper
- We Are Not Born Submissive: How Patriarchy Shapes Women’s Lives by Manon Garcia
- Fed Up by Gemma Hartley
- White Tears, Brown Scars by Ruby Hamad
- Feminism is Queer by Mimi Marinucci
Divesting in Racism
If ANY woman is unsafe, ALL women are unsafe. We can’t create a truly safe and just society for women without looking at the racism embedded in every layer of our lives. Educating ourselves on this topic helps us divest from that system and start shaping a culture that doesn’t buy into it.
- White Fragility by Robin D’Angelo
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
- How to Be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
Further Reads on Race, Gender & Intersectionality
These books dive deeper into how race and gender influence everything around us, from economics to criminal justice, and show us why we have to stay aware and vigilant.
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That the Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
- I’m Not Yelling by Elizabeth Leiba
- Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
- Half Has Never Been Told by Edward Baptist
- Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
- The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
- How (Not) to Read the Bible by Dan Kimball
- The Stolen Wealth of Slavery by David Montero
WHAT TO WATCH
Film and TV have a unique way of getting us to feel the reality of others, and these are some must-watch films and series to understand the fight for freedom in this country. They highlight everything from civil rights to everyday resilience and remind us why the work is far from over.
- Amend: The Fight for America (Netflix)
- 13th (Netflix)
- Hidden Figures (Hulu)
- She's Gotta Have It (Netflix - love the modern version!)
-Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (Hulu)
- Judas and the Black Messiah (Hulu)
- Women of the Movement (Hulu)
- The Loving Story (Hulu)
- When They See Us (Netflix)
More Film & TV
These classics aren’t just entertainment—they’re stories of resilience, independence, and the bonds we build as women.
- A League of Their Own
- Waiting to Exhale
- Thelma & Louise
Let’s Get Educated, Let’s Get Organized
When we’re informed, no one can tell us who we are or what we’re “supposed” to do. We’re not here for the status quo—we’re here to build a world that works for us. If we don’t take time to understand these issues and the power dynamics at play, we risk falling prey to the same tired propaganda that’s been used to keep women (especially Black women) small, quiet, and compliant.
So grab a book, settle in for a film, and let’s get clear on what we’re up against. When we educate ourselves, we’re investing in our power. And when we come together as educated, purposeful women? Well, that’s an unfuckwithable force.