Feminism and Gender

Various characters in the book have different relationships to and understandings of feminism, demonstrating that, though they are all women, the feminist movement is complex and can mean different things to different people. Amma, Dominique, Nzinga, and other characters of their generation are more closely aligned with the second-wave feminist movement, particularly with Nzinga's involvement in feminist separatist communities. Their interpretation of feminism contrasts with the next generation, as represented by Amma's daughter Yazz. Yazz doesn't identify with the word feminist, emphasizing instead the idea that gender is a socio-cultural construction, and preferring to call herself a humanist. Dominique, in particular, resents what she sees to be the commodification of contemporary feminism. She also represents an older generation of feminists who is not intersectional enough and who excludes trans women and their needs from the movement. These are all issues that will be familiar...