What we're reading: Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti

I've learned a lot from Jessica Valenti over the past few years. Apart from my anonymously blogging friend Sassy Pants and my simply amazing friend Catherine Orland (and, of course, my mother, who had a hell of a head start on these ladies – though she is also amazing), I've learned more about human interaction from Valenti than most other people.

Valenti is one of the founding editors of the blog Feministing. (She wins points straightaway for turning a noun into a verb.) Her blog deals primarily with feminist issues, and it becomes painfully evident right away that there's no such thing as an issue that belongs to a single -ist.

Queer issues, class and poverty issues, racial issues, immigration, employment, religion, these are all feminist issues. They're also human issues. Funny how that works.

This is the most important thing I've learned from Valenti: I am a feminist.

I've given away my copy, but somewhere in or on Full Frontal Feminism, it says, "You're a feminist, I swear!"

And she's right. Pretty much everything in the book falls under the category of "common sense." You can't tell kids that condoms cause cancer then be shocked when they go off and have sex without condoms. You can't allow pharmacists to withhold emergency contraception and then be shocked when abortion rates rise.

It's not brain surgery. And the masses aren't stupid.

The one thing I can say I didn't (a) enjoy and (b) learn from in FFF is the language. Valenti has clearly aimed this book at people younger than me, and she uses a lexicon you're more likely to hear on high school and college campuses. Read: She has a potty typewriter. I'm no prude when it comes to language (really, sit with me for a meal – or worse, watch a football game with me), but when it comes to making a point, I'm strictly in the Kurt Vonnegut camp: every curse word is just another reason for someone not to listen to you.

The Stranger: Just one thing, Dude.
The Dude: Oh yeah, what's that?
The Stranger: Do you have to use so many cuss words?
The Dude: What the fuck are you talking about?
The Stranger: All right, Dude. Have it your way.

But there's no other reason I can name not to read Valenti's book. Especially with an election coming up. And while you're at it, make sure you're reading Feminsting at least twice a week (it's updated several times daily during the week, but I know you folks and daily commitment).