Wolf Whistle Politics: The New Misogyny in Public Life Today

by Diane Wachtell (Editor), Naomi Wolf (Introduction), Rebecca Traister (Contributor)

The 2016 election year may be remembered as a year to forget, but for American women in politics and feminists alike it was unforgettably distressing--a flash point illuminating both the true state of play for women in public life and feminist politics in the early twenty-first century.

Wolf Whistle Politics is a book that tries to account for, contextualize, and even make some sense out of this trying political chapter in American history. With an introduction by Naomi Wolf and pieces by leading journalists and essayists ranging from Lindy West's -Donald and Billy on the Bus, - to Amy Davidson's -What Wendy Davis Stood For, - and Rhon Manigault-Bryant's -Open Letter to White, Liberal Feminists, - this collection comprises the best political reporting and socio-historical analysis on everything from the contentious meaning of a potential first female president to the misogynist overtones of Hillary Rodham Clinton's electoral defeat by Donald Trump; from rape culture to reproductive rights; Pantsuit Nation to poor women of color; media double standards to hashtag activism.

Together these pieces form a constellation aptly symbolized by the lascivious -wolf whistle, - a demeaning, sexually loaded catcall which, unlike the racial -dog whistle, - has nothing subtle or covert about it. Wolf Whistle Politics shines a bright light on the complex relationship between women and politics today, reflecting on what we lost, what we won, and what we can do to move forward.

Genres: Feminism, Politics, Nonfiction, Essays, Gender, Gender and Sexuality

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2017

Reviews

[Holli Keel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read - a collection of essays by several different women that helps give context for how and why politics in America have become so overtly misogynistic. If you're a white feminist, it's an even more important read. We need to understand why women of color do not trust "feminism" and learn how we can do better moving forward.

It took me a long time to read; it's a painful topic, and most of us are weary of fighting the good fight only to feel like we're moving backward instead of forward. But ironically, this book gives me hope for a better future.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was able to put into words the complexities of being a woman during this past election, and in the political arena as a whole. Perhaps most importantly, it specifically addresses how that experience is different for every woman. I found Wolf's examination of women's rights and feminism through the historical lens of how they shaped political parties and political beliefs to be perhaps the most illuminating part of the entire book. However, the breakdown of the book into theme-specific essays made the entirety of the book's essay to be more digestible and accessible. As an academic, there surely were specific essays that did not offer much in the way of novel or mind-blowing ideas. But, given the some of its parts, this book was thought-provoking and offered new perspectives and tid-bits of information; specifically, the historical use of the notion of "political correctness" as an effective and dangerous political farse.

Ultimately, this book was an informative outline of the historical struggles of feminism and women's rights, and how those struggles molded the political climate seen in the 2016 election. Whether someone identifies as a feminist or not, this book offers valuable perspectives to consider when deconstructing the rampant misogyny of the 2016 election. Politics aside, this was a fantastic and informative collection of essays.

[Sugarpuss O'Shea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be a broader look at misogyny in the body politic rather than a set of previously printed articles/pieces about the 2016 election. Shame on me for not reading the entire description. Perhaps if I would've read this collection when it was first published, I would've been more receptive to it, but reading this 6 years removed was not my idea of fun.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can be found from other sources. This sounded like an interesting book and the idea of reading up specifically on misogyny in politics seems like a highly topical issue to read. It's a collection of essays from various women whose names you've probably heard of or whose bylines you've read in various publications and their thoughts about running for office, the role of women in politics, the battle women have in the media when running, what it can be like governing, what needs to be improved upon, etc. 
 
And that's about it. I can't lie and I have to admit I'm pretty disappointed. I didn't realize it was a collection of essays (perhaps I should have noticed how slim the volume is) which is not a reading preference for me. Initially I thought it might be something like an academic study of women in politics or a study of sexism and misogyny and how that affects women candidates and office-holders, etc. No, no such luck.
 
And aside from that, it appears that most, if not all of these pieces were originally published elsewhere. So therefore there's a pretty good chance you've read one or many or maybe even all of these at some place at some time. So, coupled with the fact that it was published in May of 2017 I couldn't help but feel that this didn't really give the reader anything new if they've been following the election and the current administration.
 
I think it does have value: if you're someone who's relatively new to politics or genuinely doesn't understand the frustration and struggles of women in office or aiming for office this could be a good resource. If you need a reference regarding women in the 2016 election and all the issues surrounding that topic this could also be a good book to keep on hand. But it should not be your only source and I could see an argument being made for skipping this entirely if you've already read many of these pieces or have access to the publications where these essays were initially published, etc. Library or bargain book.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"What will you do to enact change and with whom will you partner to do it?"

While I totally thought this book would be up my alley I think I misunderstood the kind of collection it was.

I picked this book up in my library and realized I'd read a good chunk of these pieces before - not that they aren't great pieces - but many are speeches and essays that are available through other sources like The Root and Huffington Post and the New York Times thrown together in a book.

This book also focuses on the 2016 election. Although the book is about new misogyny it really only focuses on the last few years with no mention of women like Shirley Chisholm or anything before the careers of the Bush's or the Clinton's which was kind of disappointing. I was hoping for something that dissected the current political climate within the context of how women int he public sector have always been treated.

That being said this is a good collection. There is a lot of talk about the need for intersectional feminism and how white women need to hold themselves and their friends accountable for the outcome of 2016. This book doesn't particularly talk about how to do that which is more what I was looking for but there are some good lists of women who are qualified for the office of the President and other great tidbits.

[Kristy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredibly difficult read. The essays and news pieces were very good and informative. Several made me think about my own positions differently. But every time I came across one with hope and confidence in Hillary and the people of America the knife in my heart twisted a little, and I came crashing back down to the national nightmare that is the current administration. And it makes me feel like we are going backwards again. One of the last essays, by Naomi Wolf herself, about the Women's March helped some, but we have such a long way to go still. And so many people will be hurt by the casual sexism, racism, homophobia, and hate that has become common and accepted since the 2016 election began. Fighting is exhausting me to my very core, but I can't do anything else. I can't give up.

[Susan]

A review I read gave it an okay review and said the last two chapters were the best, two essays in particular, which made me pick up the book - Thirteen Women Who Should Run in 2020 and An Open Letter to White Liberal Feminists - which were great. Just read a few others; definitely thought provoking.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 A collection of previously published essays. Interesting but also hard to read, especially given the optimism of some of the pre election pieces.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is already dated since half of the articles were written prior to the 2016 election but it presents some interesting points of view.

[Alexandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to remember why democrats lost the 2016 election, read this collection of articles from the time. It is wild how highfalutin everyone was. This made me desperately wish to never read anything I wrote in 2016. What a bad time lol????