Book Review: Lean In

5/5

First of all, I read this a while ago and I have been working up the courage to write a book review on it - which says something in itself I think. I was somewhat afraid because I am about to talk about feminism - a cause that means a lot to me - and I am scared what people's reactions are going to be. To me, feminism is the equality of the sexes and - I believe - to do this we have to focus on women. This is not because men are less valuable to society in any way shape or form but because that is the status quo. I want to say right away that I am not trying to side line any other genders/gender non-conforming groups. I am also aware that I am coming from a place of white feminism and I am currently learning more about that.

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg was an emotional read for me. She said things that I have felt and her particular focus of this edition for recent graduates contained some tough but very valuable lessons. I also really appreciate this book because she focuses on a lot of studies that have been done so I now feel like I have a more concrete understanding of phenomena that I have witnessed. The biggest point for me was the fact that women in power are not trusted. This is both by women and men. She mentions a study where a group of students are given a story about a professor and in one the character is a man in the other a women, nothing else is changed. The reaction is almost universal - the women is to be found lacking whereas the man in this situation is not.

I strongly encourage EVERYONE - and I truly mean EVERYBODY - to read this book. If you are a tried and true feminist (as everyone should be), then this is a wonderful and challenging read. If you are not, then you shouldn't stay away from view points that may conflict with your own. Moreover, if you are a man and thinking "this is not for me", then please read it. I say this in the nicest way possible, but you have no idea. Just as I have no idea what it's like to marginalized in other ways and I am trying to educate myself. Please educate yourself. Please learn about the challenges that women face in the workplace. Please. If you are someone who thinks that you are dealt the cards you are dealt and that everyone has a step up in some areas and set backs in others, then I think you are living in a fairy world. The world that we live in benefits white men. This is not judgmental or accusatory: it's just fact. Learn a little bit more about others. If everyone did this, if everyone tried a little just to see life from other points of view, our world would be a better place - as cheesy as that sounds.

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