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Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop
An incisive examination of why the pillars of feminism have eroded—and how all women, not just the #girlbosses, can rebuild them
After more than 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. Her critical inquiry begets a new vision of feminism: one that tackles inequality at the societal, not individual, level and that is ultimately rooted in community.
After more than 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. Her critical inquiry begets a new vision of feminism: one that tackles inequality at the societal, not individual, level and that is ultimately rooted in community.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published October 29, 2024
28 people are currently reading
2709 people want to read
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January 23, 2025DNF. Got bored, reinvents the wheel which isn't a bad thing. We regularly need new books telling these stories. I've just read this already so much. Clincher was actually misuse of the word gaslighting that has become so popular and irritates the hell out of me. No, it's not someone disagreeing with you and trying to convince you of their side ffs. Otherwise everyone is gaslighting everyone all of the time, including the left. Gaslighting is a deliberate organized form of abuse where one orchestrates and manipulates someone's reality to make them believe they are going insane. Maybe it just means something new and I need to accept that though, idk. If it weren't an abuse dynamic being rebranded as "how dare you question me?!" I probably wouldn't be as annoyed.
March 23, 2025
This is probably one of the most pivotal feminist texts I’ve ever read — pivotal in my own journey, that is. The first two chapters of this book were interesting in their own way, but it didn’t really pick up until chapter three. I’ve heard criticisms of what’s called “choice feminism” before, but Serene Khader directly challenged my beliefs about it, using the more expansive term “freedom feminism”, which I’ve never had explained or described to me before. I’ve never considered the contentious differences between “freedom” and “equality” in such a way before.
This is a dense book, and it would’ve overwhelmed me even a year or two ago. I’ve been reading feminist theory since I was a teenager, and I had to frequently slow down and really parse out sentences in this book to fully grasp what the author was saying. It was a mental exercise, and that’s fun when you already have a strong feminist foundation, but this is not a good starting point if you’re looking to begin an journey into feminist theory. But that’s what makes me love it. There are plenty of digestible, level-1 feminist texts that are essential to ones journey, but are ultimately pointless if you go no further. This book gets to the bitter root of inequality, and it’s not easy to digest, but it’s incredibly powerful and mind-expanding. I feel my own feminism has grown and changed as a result of what Khader has written.
The only reasons this is not a 5-star book are mostly stylistic. I don’t think the title of this book does it justice. Perhaps “The Freedom Myth” would have been more effective. There are also some clumsy metaphors and analogies, which make me think this text should’ve had one extra pair of eyes to trim some of the loose ends. Ultimately, though, this is an essential book for anyone who is serious about making the world a safe and equal place for all people. It is not cute, fun, or “empowering”. It is challenging, provocative, and necessary.
This is a dense book, and it would’ve overwhelmed me even a year or two ago. I’ve been reading feminist theory since I was a teenager, and I had to frequently slow down and really parse out sentences in this book to fully grasp what the author was saying. It was a mental exercise, and that’s fun when you already have a strong feminist foundation, but this is not a good starting point if you’re looking to begin an journey into feminist theory. But that’s what makes me love it. There are plenty of digestible, level-1 feminist texts that are essential to ones journey, but are ultimately pointless if you go no further. This book gets to the bitter root of inequality, and it’s not easy to digest, but it’s incredibly powerful and mind-expanding. I feel my own feminism has grown and changed as a result of what Khader has written.
The only reasons this is not a 5-star book are mostly stylistic. I don’t think the title of this book does it justice. Perhaps “The Freedom Myth” would have been more effective. There are also some clumsy metaphors and analogies, which make me think this text should’ve had one extra pair of eyes to trim some of the loose ends. Ultimately, though, this is an essential book for anyone who is serious about making the world a safe and equal place for all people. It is not cute, fun, or “empowering”. It is challenging, provocative, and necessary.
December 11, 2024
Okay this one one the bests books I've read.
What's worse (or just as bad) as being openly misogynist? Being a bad feminist. What's a bad feminist? Someone who thinks they are (maybe they do mean well) or claims they are feminist but their actions end up helping the systems that oppress women.
There are many ideas, laws, cultural practices that perpetuate the patriarchy. This book aims to expose them and clarify what it is that they mean by real feminism.
The ideas in this book will be a tough pill to swallow for many people. White women specially. I hope that every person in this country could read this book and at least acknowledge what the author is trying to say. The problem is that it's easier to pretend to care, to signal the right posture, say the right words in order to show that you "get it" and that "you are one of the good ones" the difficult part is doing the work that will actually make a difference in people's lives, this involves investing money and resources to take care of all people. To be a feminist is to fight inequality and fight for justice. This is not free or easy. The fact that it's "trendy" to label yourself as feminist is a good thing, but it's not enough unless we are doing things to make a difference.
This book resonates with me, 100% it was an eye opener, it challenged my pre-existing assumptions. I love it when a book shows me a new way to think and reason about an issue.
This book is important and a must read for people of all ages and gender. Men specially. We have work to do.
What's worse (or just as bad) as being openly misogynist? Being a bad feminist. What's a bad feminist? Someone who thinks they are (maybe they do mean well) or claims they are feminist but their actions end up helping the systems that oppress women.
There are many ideas, laws, cultural practices that perpetuate the patriarchy. This book aims to expose them and clarify what it is that they mean by real feminism.
The ideas in this book will be a tough pill to swallow for many people. White women specially. I hope that every person in this country could read this book and at least acknowledge what the author is trying to say. The problem is that it's easier to pretend to care, to signal the right posture, say the right words in order to show that you "get it" and that "you are one of the good ones" the difficult part is doing the work that will actually make a difference in people's lives, this involves investing money and resources to take care of all people. To be a feminist is to fight inequality and fight for justice. This is not free or easy. The fact that it's "trendy" to label yourself as feminist is a good thing, but it's not enough unless we are doing things to make a difference.
This book resonates with me, 100% it was an eye opener, it challenged my pre-existing assumptions. I love it when a book shows me a new way to think and reason about an issue.
This book is important and a must read for people of all ages and gender. Men specially. We have work to do.
March 28, 2025
Viewing feminism as a collective goal is lit
December 4, 2024
The structure of this book makes it easy to understand Dr Khader’s argument that feminism is — or should be — about more than individual women, and is rather about hierarchy and structures of oppression.
I recommend reading this book with a friend or group and discussing each of the different “myths,” both separately and as a whole.
I think my favorite chapter was about the culture myth, which is one I find most insidious when trying to discuss issues such as global poverty. If that chapter intrigues you as well, David Graeber would be a good author to read next.
I recommend reading this book with a friend or group and discussing each of the different “myths,” both separately and as a whole.
I think my favorite chapter was about the culture myth, which is one I find most insidious when trying to discuss issues such as global poverty. If that chapter intrigues you as well, David Graeber would be a good author to read next.
February 2, 2025
This book has a lot of thought provoking good ideas, but because the ideas encompassed by feminism sometimes contradict each other, and the author is trying to get us to see that, she often gets bogged down in convoluted explanations. I felt like her ideas could have been conveyed better with fewer words.
April 28, 2025
Useful, if not particularly pathbreaking, reminder that freedom feminism is a capitalist mirage and that feminists need to strive to solve the problems of the most marginalized to lift up everyone. Appreciated the many up-to-date examples of international initiatives, organizing, and activism. Could have troubled terms like “women” and “gender” some more.
May 1, 2025
“The call was coming from inside the house, my house to be precise “
Serene Khader is like Ezra Klein crossed with Trevor Noah! This book is the least boring analysis of Amy Coney Barrett imaginable.
Serene Khader is like Ezra Klein crossed with Trevor Noah! This book is the least boring analysis of Amy Coney Barrett imaginable.
November 5, 2024
Incredibly r@c1st and incoherent.
November 15, 2024
Review to come
January 1, 2025
Interesting but a little too drawn out and repetitive.
July 7, 2025
Very wise. Very well-reasoned. I now need more indigenous North American feminism asap.
September 28, 2025
Thorough condemnation of girlboss feminism. Really makes you think about intersectionality
March 12, 2025
This is a highly informative read and I encourage everyone to read it, but especially white people. Khader is brilliant at dissecting all aspects of the feminism we know today, where it started, and where it can go in the future. Every problem that exists within modern feminism is clearly detailed and Khader supplies the possible solutions to these and how to make a better feminism for everyone. She explains what has worked in the past, and what works now, and does so in a way that keeps you engaged. Illuminating!!!
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