Contemporary Feminist Theory and Activism

“With this wonderfully lucid and accessible book, Wendy Lee has done feminism a great public service. Moving gracefully from the politics of sex reassignment, to international surrogacy, to Sarah Palin’s religious and anti-environmental views, to women’s responses to terrorism, she shows how feminist politics vastly exceeds stereotypes to become a truly worldwide and interconnected political movement. Lee’s arguments are well-crafted and shrewd, but her tone never departs from the pragmatic. Rich with examples—from polar bears to microlending, cyborgs to McJobs—her book shows how feminism’s breadth of vision and potential for political action might be realised. Deftly articulated, highly topical, and written with a rare political passion, Contemporary Feminist Theory and Activism will speak to scholars, students, and the general reader alike. For those who think that we have seen the end of feminism, Lee’s book shows that we may be only at the very beginning.” — Cressida Heyes, Canada Research Chair in Philosophy of Gender and Sexuality, University of Alberta

“Contemporary Feminist Theory and Activism: Six Global Issues is an exciting book combining feminist theorizing from within the academy and feminist activism on a range of international issues. Wendy Lee’s book brings together with clear and accessible prose issues that will engage student intellect and enthusiasm. The chapter on sexual identities is especially compelling, but so too is the chapter on ecological feminism. I am excited about the prospect of teaching from this book.” — Samantha Brennan, Professor of Philosophy, University of Western Ontario

“In this brave, intelligent, and eminently readable book, Wendy Lee spins an intricate web of at-first-sight implausible connections through and among the ‘six global issues’ of her title. In readings that are often startling, yet consistently convincing, she gives new meaning to the slogan ‘the personal is political’— and deeply philosophical. Lee demonstrates how a feminist analysis that is both erudite and witty can yield new ways of understanding how racism, sexism, religious fundamentalism, environmentalism, terrorism, and institutionalized inequality are reciprocally constitutive and mutually reinforcing. This book has much to offer feminist scholars and activists: it is it once a stimulating classroom text and a book that will engage—and challenge—readers committed to practising ‘a thinking activism of the ordinary’.” — Lorraine Code, Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Philosophy, York University