Good and Mad: How Women's Anger Is Reshaping America

Ms Traister thought she wrote this book for women, to enable women who are angry and feel they are not truly equals in U.S. society to know they are not alone, that they have power, and they CAN bring about change, even transformational change. She is only partly correct. This also is a book for men. As a white male of more years than I care to admit, I found the book to be superb. I have have been a feminist since I first stood up for the rights of a woman when I was 5 years old--honest, 5.The criticisms of this book, mostly by males (all of whom probably are white) are unfortunate and misguided. I am not going to speculate on what prompted their criticisms given there probably are different reasons--comfort with the status quo, too deeply steeped in the idea anger is bad, sexism, insecure in their masculinity and/or relationships with women to name but 4.As a (virtually) life long feminist, I wish this book had been written when I was a college student in the 1960's and had been assigned for class to read by one of my professors. Even though I long have been deeply involved in the Women's Rights movement (along with Civil Rights, Immigrant Rights, and Anti War), I gained tremendous insight from the book. Particularly valuable to me was Ms Traister's discussions of the subtle, often difficult to see, manifestations of sexism and gender inequality. Certainly men's tendency to interrupt women when they are talking and to talk over them is relatively obvious. It irritates me when someone tries talk over me; I only can imagine how infuriating it must be for women to endure this constantly. But, other things she discusses might not be as obvious; such as how women, historically and today, do not receive the same kinds of credit as men. An excellent example would be Renaissance artists. We think all of the great Renaissance artists are men. Not so, even though, in the Renaissance, art was considered a man's occupation. The "Great Masters" all were male. Yet, Renaissance women fought hard to be allowed to become artists, and they produced some magnificent art as beautiful as anything produced by a man. Fortunately, we can see their magnificent works in museums even if art history books tend to minimize their contributions to art. We all read something about Joan of Arc, but women's roles in important historical events are subordinated to the roles of men. Today, it is much the same. As Ms Traister discusses, throughout U.S. history, rights movements have been instigated by women who often were the early leaders. Yet, their leadership was supplanted by men; and women's accomplishments as leaders of movements were relegated to historical footnotes.Ms Traister certainly is mad, and rightfully so. This has not kept her from writing a very clear-headed book. It has many valuable insights and much solid analysis. Yes, women are angry. Men who do not believe this should ask them. And yes, there are women, who, for whatever reason, are satisfied with the status quo and their subordinate position in the home and in society. But, my experience--and not just in the Women's Rights movement--tells me those women are a minority. Most women carry, whether consciously or subconsciously, carry anger with them on a daily basis--minute by minute, second by second.Dr. King, whose own record on women's rights is not as good as it should have been, was absolutely correct when he said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice every where" Women, as minorities, have suffered and endured injustice throughout our great nation's history. We all, white males included, have suffered for that. Everyone has lost and suffered because of the contributions women have not been permitted to make to our society simply because of their gender. Perhaps this focus on injustice within our society is the greatest contribution of Ms Traister's book. She repeatedly demonstrated the interconnectedness of Women's Rights, with Workers' Rights, with Minority Rights, with Civil Rights, with Immigrant Rights. We all are in this together, whether we want to acknowledge that. The opportunities of white men are not diminished by genuinely equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, citizenship/immigration status, religion. Equal opportunity for those historically denied equal opportunity actually creates more opportunity for all of us. If we want a more just, more equal, more democratic, more productive, more prosperous society, we need to recognize and accept our anger, and use it to mobilize; just as activists have done historically and as Ms Traister advocates.

A lot of truth and inspiration here. I didn’t mark it higher just because I wasn’t exactly sure I understood her organization of the points she was making. I think it felt a little bit all over the place or repetitive even. Which is fine because it was so well written but I would have enjoyed it more if it was organized differently.

My 34 year old Daughter could have written this book. Every sentence and paragraph and page echoed her exact complaints to (and against) me, since the 2016 Presidential election. I also saw myself being described as the white patriarchal “problem” —- an old, white, guy —- who still seems to live in the past wrt values, norms, and conservative political beliefs. By definition, I am the arch antagonist for the angry young women of today. That said, I know that we all have to open our minds and our hearts —- plus, get kicked in the butt by our daughters and other women in our lives — in order to embrace some understanding of why the women in our lives are so angry. I recently met a strong (and angry) woman in a discussion class, who impressed me so much that I engaged her consultation services to provide some career mentoring/guidance for my daughter. They were two kindred spirits that were like characters out of this wonderful book. My daughter had read Rebecca’s book and quickly told me that I needed to read it — as well as everyone else in our discussion group. I couldn’t put it down, because I was learning by the minute why my daughter was so made at me (70 years old, white, male, Trump supporter, Etc.). She’s at the stage where she is really angry — and I realize after reading the book, that that is a very healthy place to be — especially if she can focus that anger on things that she is interested in changing. Thank you very much, Rebecca, for helping me understand me Daughter better. I truly believe every man who has a female in his life should read this book. It may help you understand that person in your life a whole lot better, may help you discover how you can provide the support, understanding, and affirmation that may be appropriate —- and it may help you grow!

A great, informative read that lays out waves of feminist activism in a very accessible way, using anecdotes and subtle and not so subtle messages that will rule you up and get right mad. You will definitely be ticked off and support change.

A autora explora diversos temas no livro, como sexismo, racismo e xenofobia. Acima de tudo, o livro mostra como a sociedade vê de forma negativa a raiva das mulheres, enquanto a raiva masculina é muitas vezes vista como paixão e devoção.O livro é voltado mais para a história americana e analisa dois acontecimentos recentes: a eleição dos EUA de 2016 e o movimento #metoo. Porém, em muitos aspectos podemos identificar com a realidade brasileira.

Well thought out and researched book on role of women's anger in wester cultural and political landscape leading to and just after 2016 election in the USA. The expression and driving force behind movement for justice, fairness and equality beyond feminism. Highly recomend it to all who would benefit from normalising their feeling of rage at injustice and more so who would like to chanel it to real life as a force for change and good.