Feminism is the collective manifestation of anger. They suppress our anger for a reason. Let’s prove them right.

— Lindy West, Brave Enough To Be Angry

This is a book that leaves me very torn about how I feel – and I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to. Lindy West is funny, direct, and makes some excellent points. There is much of this book that I agree with. However, I don’t agree with everything – sometimes strongly disagree in fact – and the book is written as though if you don’t agree with every word she says, you’re clearly an idiot. But again, it’s supposed to be inflammatory. Thus the mixed feelings.

It’s a very angry book. I get the anger; I share much of her anger. I get the desperation that comes with the idea that so much has changed, yet so much remains the same or perhaps is even getting worse. I understand the feeling that you’re alone, and/or that you’re impotent to fix the wrongs you see in the world. I also whole-heartedly agree that being passive and playing the game that has been set up for us by the rules that have been designed to make us fail, doesn’t work. It’s time to play by different rules.

I will also say that often when reading an inflammatory comment that I didn’t agree with, my first reaction was to get viscerally angry. And then I did what this book challenged me to do – I took a step back and really looked at my logic and if I really felt that way or if I was just uncomfortable with what she was saying I think this is a credit to the book, because Lindy points out very clearly how little reason and how much reacting happens in the world. I still don’t agree with everything she wrote – but I do appreciate that she made me think and that she didn’t pull a single punch.

Overall, I’d give the book a 4 out of 5. The book makes you think, it makes you feel empowered to do something, and an urge to take that responsibility yourself – and that’s something we could use a lot more of in this world.

I’d love to hear what you thought! Leave me a comment and let me know

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Nuggets of gold from The Witches Are Coming by Lindy West
1. Whatever your sphere is, however big or small, you get to make choices within it, and if you care about healing the wounds of the world I hope you become a real demon bitch about diversity and never let anyone sleep. Think radical thoughts and let yourself imagine they’re true. Then ask yourself why it’s considered radical to make art that accurately reflects reality, to build a society that takes care of its members, to demand a better world.

2. There is no value in willfully ignoring hatred, and the lie that neutrality in the face of oppression is not a political stance is part of how we got here.