A Book I Love: We Should All Be Feminists

What does feminism mean to you today? And who gets to be a feminist? Those are some of the questions at the heart of the concise and compelling TEDX talk by the infinitely talented Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, We Should All Be Feminists.

So, I know what you’re thinking: It’s not really a book. Well, not quite. It was a speech that she later adapted to a long-form essay, which was in turn adapted into a short book.

Regardless of format, We Should All Be Feminists should be required reading for everyone. It’s only 52 pages, but packed with nuanced explanations of the gender divide.

Regardless of format, the piece excels at illuminating 21st century marginalization of women around the world.

Don’t get it twisted. Despite the serious topic, Adichie is as witty and funny as ever throughout this piece.

Here are some expressions that stuck with me:

• “Bottom power is not power at all.”

• “Culture does not make people. People make culture.”

• “I’ve never thought it made sense to leave such a crucial thing—the ability to nourish oneself to someone else.”