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"For decades -- and especially now in these times of crisis -- people around the world have found guidance, humor, and unity in Gloria Steinem's gift for creating quotes that inspire action and create hope. From her early days as a journalist and feminist activist, up to today, Steinem's words have helped generations to empower themselves and work together. Gloria sees quotes as 'the poetry of everyday life,' so she also has included a few favorites from friends, including bell hooks, Flo Kennedy, Michelle Obama, and more, in this anthology of quotes that will make you want to laugh, march, and create some of your own. At the end of the book, there is a special space for each reader to add their own quotes and others they've found. Covering topics from relationships ('Many are looking for the right person. Too few are looking to be the right person.') to patriarchy ('Men are liked better when they win. Women are liked better when they lose. This is how patriarchy is enforced every day.') and activism ('Change, like a tree, grows from the bottom up.'), plus an introduction and essays by Steinem, this is the definitive collection of her words on many of the topics that matter most today. The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off! is both timeless and timely. It is a gift of hope from Gloria to readers, that they will want to share with friends"--… (more)
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Discussing the importance of family, Steinem writes, “To transform inequality in the outside world, we have to start inside the home. We have to get rid of the old idea that what happens to men is political, and therefore subject to change, but what happens to women is cultural, and therefore can’t, or shouldn’t, be changed” (pg. 6). She points out how we first learn about, and internalize, hierarchies and systemic violence in the home. Turning toward employment, Steinem writes, “Whether we work to live, as most of us do, or live to work, as some of us are lucky enough to do, work doesn’t have to be a four-letter word. It can and should be a source of belonging, growth, and pleasure” (pg. 56). Steinem argues for the importance of connecting with people to develop empathy, writing, “People in the same room can understand and empathize with each other in a way that isn’t possible on the page or screen. I’m happy you are reading this book, but I hope you will also put the book down and spend at least as much time talking and listening to the stories of other human beings” (pg. 87). She offers hope in discussing systemic hierarchies, writing, “People invented race and gender. People can uninvent them” (pg. 106). Furthermore, “The marks of sex and race bring a whole constellation of cultural injunctions against power, even the power of controlling one’s own life” (pg. 106).
In keeping with Steinem’s discussion of the importance of interaction for developing empathy, The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off! would work perfectly for a reading group. Steinem’s careful curation and the quotes themselves encourage the reader to give careful thought in relating them to their own life, which would easily foster discussion and consciousness-raising. Samantha Dion Baker’s illustrations work perfectly with Steinem’s words, capturing their meaning and evoking their truths. Both timely and thought-provoking, The Truth Will Set You Free, But First It Will Piss You Off! is a must-read.