So I’m at Barnes and Noble a couple weeks ago just browsing around trying to satisfy my ever-increasing reading addiction by wandering around looking for what I thought was the obvious. I finally had to break down and ask someone where to find books on women’s history. I was directed to the very back corner of the store to a single book case with about 6 shelves of books. However, only the top shelf contained books on women’s history. That’s right – ONLY ONE SHELF!
I counted 43 books in all. I wish the photo could be better but because I was all the way in the corner I couldn’t back up far enough to get a shot of the full bookcase. The sad part is I couldn’t find any of the great books I’ve mentioned and reviewed on here such as “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History“. Where are they? I realize some topics get scattered across the various sections of the store, but dang – I really thought there would be more than just one shelf’s worth of “women’s studies” at Barnes and Noble. Where are the great writings by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony or Carrie Chapman Catt? Hmm… Wonder how many the local library has on their shelves? I think I need to check into that.
6 comments
Memi
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony or Carrie Chapman Catt? If you want to find a TV movie that makes waves and shows the struggles that young and old women had to go through so that the rest of us “I’m okay now, why should I give a damn?” female folk could have the right to vote….get “IRON JAWED ANGELS” (2004).
Too bad that some young women today feel that the battles have all been won! The facts speak against it! How many movies have you seen that you could take a teenage girls to see without winching? Fried Green Tomatoes back in 1992 as well as 1992’s League of Their Own are exceptions and far in between. As long as the reality on the screen is that of male writers and directors, very very few will be the real stories of women told on the screen! No, we haven’t come a long way. Just taken a few steps and now, with the hypersexualization of young girls who look more like hookers on the corner than kids, with internet and fashionista pornographers ruling the cultural waves….good luck! No wonder sex trafficking and child porn are on the rise. What progress?
gretchen
I agree that we still have a long way to go. It is sad that some women think we are “there”. That’s why I often draw attention to how our culture is shaping the younger girls and what we can do to change that mentality.
gretchen
Huh?? Ok…um…so thanks for enlightening me?? You’ve totally lost me. Not to mention you called me an idiot. /:)
Please explain how you think this site is “feeding the negative stereotype that feminists now have”?
Wephaline
No offense, but if you’re looking in Barnes and Noble for books on Women’s Studies then you’re an idiot.
Anyway, this website and your whole mindset is so concerned with rebelling against the slight gender-related injustices in the Western world that if mainstream culture DID include these topics (and women’s studies books in mainstream book stores) you’d hate it because you’d have nothing to fights against.
I’m a feminist and always have been, but a large part of this website goes towards feeding the negative stereotype that feminists now have. What have any of you actually done to help progess gender equality? Nothing.
That’s right.
gretchen
If I would have had more time, I would have looked up a few more books that I think should have been there. Perhaps they are in other sections or they just don’t carry them. If it’s the latter then perhaps maybe they should.
If you went in without a specific book or list of books in mind and that’s all you found… it would be pretty disappointing. :(
Positively Present
I’ve thought the exact same thing when I’ve been in the book store. It’s AMAZING (in a bad way!) how few books there are on Women’s Studies. One shelf is NOT enough.