Serene Khader — Faux Feminism- with Anushay Hossain

Watch author Serene Khader's book talk and reading at Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington, D.C.

PURCHASE BOOK HERE

After over 175 years, the feminist movement, now in its fourth wave, is at risk of collapsing on its eroding foundation. In Faux Feminism, political philosopher Serene Khader advocates for another feminism--one that doesn't overwhelmingly serve white, affluent #girlbosses. With empathy, passion, and wit, Khader invites the reader to join her as she excavates the movement's history and draws a blueprint for a more inclusive and resilient future.

A feminist myth buster, Khader begins by deconstructing "faux feminisms." Thought to be the pillars of good feminism, they may appeal to many but, in truth, leave most women behind. Khader identifies these traps that white feminism lays for us all, asking readers to think critically about

- The Freedom Myth: The overarching misconception that feminism is about personal freedom rather than collective equality

- The Individualism Myth: The pervasive idea that feminism aims to free individual women from social expectations

- The Culture Myth: The harmful misconception that "other" cultures restrict women's liberation

- The Restriction Myth: The flawed belief that feminism is a fight against social restrictions

- The Judgment Myth: The fallacy of celebrating women's choices without first interrogating the privileges afforded or denied to the women

In later chapters, Khader draws on global and intersectional feminist lessons of the past and present to imagine feminism's future. She pays particular attention to women of color, especially those in the Global South. Khader recounts their cultural and political stories of building a more inclusive framework in their societies. These are the women, she argues, from whom today's feminists can learn.

Khader's critical inquiry begets a new vision of feminism: one that tackles inequality at the societal, not individual, level and is ultimately rooted in community.

Serene J. Khader is an American moral and political philosopher and feminist theorist. She is Professor and Jay Newman Chair in the Philosophy of Culture at Brooklyn College, City University of New York and the CUNY Graduate Center. She is the author of Decolonizing Universalism: A Transnational Feminist Ethic and Adaptive Preferences and Women’s Empowerment, and Faux Feminism, publishing on October 29, 2024 (Beacon Press). Serene studies the moral values that underlie feminist activism, especially in cross-cultural contexts. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, ABC News, along with journals like Philosophical Studies, Journal of Applied Philosophy, Social Theory and Practice, Feminist Philosophy Quarterly, Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society and many more.

Khader is in conversation with Anushay Hossain. Hossain is a Washington, DC-based author and podcast host, renowned for her advocacy in women's health and her bestselling book, The Pain Gap: How Sexism and Racism in Healthcare Kill Women. Through her podcast, The Pain Gap, Anushay highlights the systemic challenges that women, especially women of color, face within the U.S. healthcare system. Her advocacy is fueled by personal experiences, including a life-threatening childbirth that exposed the deep-seated sexism and racism in healthcare.

Be Sure To Click SUBSCRIBE

@politicsprose

Visit us online at

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on instagram

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Threads

Follow Us On TikTok

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter:

Become a store member and save

Audio Archive

Founded by Carla Cohen and Barbara Meade in 1984, Politics and Prose Bookstore is Washington, D.C.'s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub, a gathering place for people interested in reading and discussing books. Politics and Prose offers superior service, unusual book choices, and a haven for book lovers in the store and online.

#books #booktube