There’s a new book out called Sexy Feminism: A Girl’s Guide to Love, Success, and Style that’s aiming to make feminism more approachable to women. I agree that there’s a huge stigma against feminism, and it’s something we talk a lot about here on Gurl. Modern feminism is more accepting and approachable than the old vision of feminism, which is a good thing!

The book description explains, “With dozens of ways to take action, Sexy Feminism explains how feminism helps women get what they want (and does not, contrary to many reports, ruin anyone’s chances at love, success, sex, beauty, or style). It guides young women toward finding their own brand of feminism and using it to improve their lives and the world.”

That all sounds fine and dandy, but Bitch Magazine seems to have a different opinion: “The concept of “sexy” remains ill-defined and questionably applied throughout the book.”

Bitch Magazine also points out, “In chapter one, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and acclaimed journalist Christiane Amanpour are featured on a list of sexy feminists. Not a regular list of feminists. Not a list of strong or powerful or admirable women. A list of sexy feminists.”

I get that this book is trying to make sexy an empowering identifier, but putting women on a list and labeling them as “Sexy _____” it just feels off. It seems that using sexy to describe a successful and admirable woman automatically takes the focus off her achievements and puts it on her looks.

The book also says things like this: “Sexy doesn’t have to be slutty….Don’t forget that fashion is a way to show the world who you feel you really are, but you don’t necessarily have to show all of you.” FACEPALM. Ugh. You can wear whatever you want, whenever you want. Showing skin does not make you slutty. Hooking up with people does not make you slutty. Let’s just stop using the word slutty, okay?

I think the big picture of this book makes sense. I also want women to stop being afraid of feminism. I don’t want women to think that being a feminist means you have to stop wearing makeup and heels because that is so not the case. The book is really asking can you be sexy AND a feminist?

Yes! Of course! You can be anything AND a feminist. You can want guys to open doors for you AND be a feminist. You can wear all pink AND be a feminist. The point of being a feminist is to support equal rights. And if you want to be sexy while doing so, then by all means, go ahead!
 
What do you think? Can you be sexy and a feminist? Are you a feminist? Tell us in the comments!
 

You can still say “bitch” if you’re a feminist

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