Dear Ijeawele, Or, A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions

This slim book is full of wisdom for teaching your child how to view herself as someone who matters - even when the overt and subtle patriarchal forces would lead her to see herself as less than. I found her words so affirming of the thoughts and questions I had as a child trying to get a perspective on the world, e.g. why did being born with a vagina make one more suited to do housework or why women routinely changed their names when they married, losing their identity behind the title of Mrs. John Doe. I shared this book and audiobook with my two teenage daughters and recommended it to many of my friends and co-workers.

A letter to a friend's infant daughter with suggestions on how to raise a feminist. I think this is going to be filed away in my head for the next baby shower I attend. Quick read, easy read, and an important one.

So much of the advice in this short read feels like common sense, and then you look up from the book, and around at the world and realize why Adichie was compelled to write it. Fingers crossed that this book appears as a gift at baby showers, rather than the ubiquitous tiny clothing in pink, or blue for that matter.

If you're a parent, if you know any parents, or if you ever interact with children, this is a must-read. The 60-odd pages of "Dear Ijeawele" will fly by, and you'll have fifteen lessons/suggestions/reminders for the next time you speak to a child (girl or boy). Don't pass this book by, even if you've already read "We Should All Be Feminists". Adichie makes some new points in this book, and looks at feminism through a different lens: how to raise a child as a feminist, rather than why all adults should participate in this movement. Adichie is funny, succinct, and always poignant.

She just has SUCH a gift for being clear and concise on the issues of socialization we face as women. I wish I had had an example like her growing up but I use her words to help with my own children, both boys and girls. She cuts through all the debates and denial about the position of women in the world and teaches us how to change things one step at a time. Amazing woman.

I read "We Should All be Feminists" a while ago, and when I heard Adichie would be following up with another feminist manifesto I was beyond excited. I read this quickly (it's short, so no surprise there), on my kindle. I found myself highlighting SO many passages. It might have been easier to highlight all the text and un-highlight portions. Adichie put into simple words the thoughts I've tried to articulate so many times. While I'm a ways off from having children of my own, you can bet I'll be referring to this when the time comes.

I read it in one sitting at the library.
Brilliant.
Wish I'd had this advice when my daughter was younger.
I've done so many things wrong.
"Your feminist premise should be: I matter. I matter equally. Not 'if only.' Not 'as long as.' I matter equally. Full Stop."

Wonderful. I highly encourage everyone to read this little book. It's practical, smart, and applicable to parenting, but also in reeducating oneself to be a better feminist in practice.

If you're on hold for this, you won't have to wait long - this slim but powerful volume can be read in one sitting! I've loved Adichie since her first novel, Purple Hibiscus, and I adore/admire the way she speaks unabashedly about feminism. This book is for any reader, but GREAT for parents!