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Like a lot of folks, I genuinely didn’t think Donald Trump had a chance of winning the 2016 presidential election. I adore Hillary and placed all my faith in her. My expectations were that my American neighbours (P.S. I’m Canadian) would do the right thing and not vote for a monster.
On the night of the election, around 2am, I wrote an essay about the fear and disappointment I felt, writing through my tears. I didn’t feel angry right away as I think I was too shocked. But I’ve had a layer of anger bubbling just under the surface ever since that night and I don’t think it’s going to go away for a long time. Seeing Trump out of the White House will help, but I don’t think seeing another old white man is going to alleviate my rage.
Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger by journalist Rebecca Traister is all about how women reacted to the campaign and the eventual election of Donald Trump. She includes quotes from notable female politicians, attendees of the 2017 Women’s March that took place the day after Trump’s inauguration, and members of organizations who train women to enter politics—spoiler: a lot more people are getting into politics because of their Trump-inspired rage. Traister discusses the differences between how the media treated Hillary and Donald completely differently, and how they treat male vs. female candidates specifically.
I enjoyed this book, especially the history of past American elections where women, again (and again and again), were treated like shit for doing the most minor of things.
I’m glad women are angry. I’m glad their anger is making them want to make a change in their country as well as their own lives. I’m glad women are done putting up with the bullshit. And I’m glad I read this book.
RATING: 4/5
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