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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Feminist Fight Club summary
Jessica Bennett
A Survival Manual for a Sexist Workplace
14 mins
Brief summary
"Feminist Fight Club" by Jessica Bennett is a witty and practical guide for working women looking to navigate and combat gender bias in the workplace. Bennett shares personal stories and research-based tactics to help women thrive and succeed in their careers.
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Feminist Fight Club
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Key idea 1 of 5
In general, male employees engage in sexist activities that affect their female counterparts’ chances and autonomy at work.
Remember when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, saying that her prize should’ve gone to Beyoncé? It may have appeared that Kanye was simply advocating for another woman, but if we take a closer look, we can see that something else was at play.
Men often dominate women with words, forcing them into silence. This is exactly what Kanye did when he literally took the mic out of Taylor’s hands.
Thankfully, there are ways for women to fight against these verbal maneuvers.
When you find yourself in a situation with a man who interrupts you as you’re trying to speak – these guys are known as manterrupters – you should just keep talking. Then, call him out and suggest to your boss that no-interruption policies be established in the workplace.
Another common situation is when a man takes credit for something a female employee has done. These men are called bropriators and, to handle them, women need to rightfully claim credit for what they’ve done; learn to speak with confidence and stand up for other female coworkers who aren’t getting the credit they deserve.
Men should also be called out whenever they start mansplaining. This is when a man explains something to a woman in a condescending manner. When this happens, women should point it out and stop the “explanation” as quickly as possible.
But dominating women by verbal means isn’t all men do. Men belittle women nonverbally, too. Here are some typical examples: expecting women to go on coffee runs, and assuming they’ll take notes during group sessions and clean up afterward. These expectations are demeaning because they lower women’s perceived value in the workplace. To fight this, women simply need to refuse such requests.
In addition to verbal and nonverbal tactics, men also tend to attribute the legitimate feelings of women to biology. This is condescending and shouldn’t be tolerated.
For example, when a woman feels upset, men will often say the same thing: she’s on her period. To fight this catchall assumption, women can get in the habit of telling men what’s actually causing them distress.
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What is Feminist Fight Club about?
Feminist Fight Club (2016) sheds new light on the rampant sexism in the workplace and equips women with the tools to take down everything from mansplainers to personal feelings of self-doubt. It draws on modern-day examples as well as historical perspectives to illustrate how feminists can help in the fight for a more gender-balanced world.
Feminist Fight Club Review
Feminist Fight Club (2016) by Jessica Bennett presents a guide to navigate the workplace as a woman and combat gender inequality. Here are three reasons why this book is a must-read:
- The book offers practical strategies and tactics to overcome workplace sexism and discrimination, empowering women to fight back and create change.
- Through real-life anecdotes and research, it sheds light on the challenges women face in the workplace and provides insights to challenge the status quo.
- With its humorous approach and interactive elements, such as a "battle plan" and "fight moves," the book keeps readers engaged and entertained while offering actionable advice.
Best quote from Feminist Fight Club
After thousands of years of being treated as the dominant sex [...] speech and body language [...] come along with that status.
—Jessica Bennett
Who should read Feminist Fight Club?
- Women who want to build their careers
- Men concerned about the difficulties their female colleagues face
- Women dealing with sexism at work
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Feminist Fight Club FAQs
What is the main message of Feminist Fight Club?
The main message of Feminist Fight Club is empowering women to navigate workplace sexism and advocate for gender equality.
How long does it take to read Feminist Fight Club?
The reading time for Feminist Fight Club varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Feminist Fight Club a good book? Is it worth reading?
Feminist Fight Club is a valuable read for anyone interested in gender equality. It provides practical strategies and insights for combating workplace sexism.
Who is the author of Feminist Fight Club?
The author of Feminist Fight Club is Jessica Bennett.
What to read after Feminist Fight Club?
If you're wondering what to read next after Feminist Fight Club, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Lean Out by Marissa Orr
- Men Explain Things To Me by Rebecca Solnit
- Unapologetically Ambitious by Shellye Archambeau
- How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith
- Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office by Lois P. Frankel
- The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- 7 Strategies for Wealth & Happiness by Jim Rohn
- Grit to Great by Linda Kaplan Thaler & Robin Koval
- The Friction Project by Robert I. Sutton & Huggy Rao
- A History of God by Karen Armstrong