Book+Reviews+-+January+2013



** Book Reviews **
 * January 2013 **

[[image:borda.jpg align="left"]]Women Labor Activists in the Movies
toc Jennifer L. Borda Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2011
 * Nine Depictions of Workplace Organizers, 1954-2005 **

Reviewed by Melanie Emerson

In her well-researched volume on female labor activists, Jennifer L. Borda (Associate Professor at University of New Hampshire) suggests the most lasting images of women in recent American film have been those of working women—and perhaps more specifically the image of woman as worker. In this text she examines the representation of female labor heroines in nine films: //Salt of the Earth// (1954), //The Pajama Game// (1957), //Union Maids// (1976), //With Babies and Banners// (1978), //Norma Rae// (1979), //Silkwood// (1983), //Live Nude Girls Unite!//, and //North Country// (2005). Borda argues that each exemplifies “the strongest and most productive” image of women labor activists in film (3). Through comparative analysis, Borda articulates the ways in which these films function as a product of American culture and “contribute to our cultural discourse and social realities relating to gender and class.”(1).

There are three chapters which focus on individual movies, chapter one is //Salt of the Earth//, chapter two is //The Pajama Game//, and chapter five is //Live Nude Girls Unite!//. Most of the remaining chapters tend to combine films either based on genre or focus on a specific theme that allows the author to bring in other references. In this regard each chapter can be read as a singular essay while at the same time, viewed as a whole they present a broader discursive on feminism, class, progressivism, and the American film industry. Borda considers the social climate in which the film was produced as well as the genre and the stylistic/formal qualities of these films as it relates to the film’s message. This in turn allows her to draw direct connections to the ways in which audiences later receive the message.

In the concluding chapter Borda outlines the differences in those movies produced from within the bounds of mainstream Hollywood and those that are independently made. Here, the author sees the most definitive contrast in politics and depictions of gender roles and class. For the mainstream films (i.e. //Norma Rae//, //North Country//, and //Pajama Game//) the political stories of labor activities are often secondary to more traditional story-lines of romance and domesticity. While the main characters of the mainstream movies fight systems of repression in the workplace, they ultimately end up seeking happiness and safety in the sphere of domesticity. On the other hand, the independent films tend to explicitly and permanently transgress the normative gender roles that dominate American culture. In this regard independent films, such as //Salt of the Earth//, work to dismantle (or at least question) traditional notions of gender, class, and race within the work place as well as on the screen.

The book contains an index, detailed notes and an extensive bibliography, which would be useful to anyone interested in feminism, labor activities, and film history. However, the cost ($55) of this paperback is somewhat prohibitive for the average reader. The book is highly recommended for all academic institutions, especially those supporting research in the areas of American Studies, Gender/Women’s Studies, and Film Studies.

//Melanie Emerson is Senior Reference Librarian at The Ryerson and Burnham Libraries, The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60603; memerson@artic.edu//

Women and War[[image:kaufmanj.jpg width="170" height="259" align="right"]]
Joyce P. Kaufman and Kristen P. Williams Kumarian Press, 2010
 * Gender Identity and Activism in Times of Conflict**

Reviewed by Melanie Emerson

For almost a decade Joyce P. Kaufman and Kristen P. Williams have been researching and writing about women, war, and conflict. // Women and War // is the second book they've produced from their research focusing on issues of gender, citizenship, and nationalism. For this book and the previous, //Women, the State, and War// (2007), the authors focused on four cases studies: the United States, Northern Ireland, Palestine/Israel, and former Yugoslavia. Through the process of writing and research Kaufman and Williams realized women, while actually present during times of conflict and involved in political movements and strife, were not present in the research—either in their or research or that of others working in the field. This volume broadly asks, “What happened to women [during conflict and war]?” (vii).

Kaufman and Williams identify four major options open to women during times of conflict: do nothing/try to survive the conflict, escape the conflict as a refugee, become politically involved as a way to help resolve the conflict, or become engaged in the violence/take part in the conflict. The authors suggest no matter which option is taken, women make a choice and in this sense have some agency over the situation. However, as much agency as women might have in these decisions it is clear that times of war and other types of civil, religious, or military conflict are pervaded by a very strong patriarchal social structure. Through all of this, the authors argue that gender identity is often displaced by more nationalistic, political, or even religious affiliations as the dominant form of identification.

Through very thorough analysis and well-documented research, Kaufman and Williams consider the impact of war on women and how they negotiation the conflicts and their aftermath. Using a theoretical framework based on a mix traditional International Relations and that produced by recent feminist scholarship in the field of International Relations the authors present a clear and articulate explication of gender identity and equality as war and other types of political or social upheaval and violence affect it.

This text contains an extensive bibliography and carefully annotated notes (including a list of abbreviations), as well as a clear, easy to follow format and writing style. The authors seem very dedicated to making their research findings available to the broadest audience, while at the same time exploring important and somewhat neglected areas of research. This book is an excellent move to that end. It is therefore highly recommended for all academic institutions, as well as other research institutions that support scholarship in the areas of gender studies, international affairs, and political science.

//Melanie Emerson is Senior Reference Librarian at The Ryerson and Burnham Libraries, The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago IL 60603; memerson@artic.edu//

[[image:kaufman.jpg width="182" height="249" align="left"]]The Guy's Guide to Feminism
Kaufman, Michael, and Michael S. Kimmel Berkeley, CA: Seal Press, 2011

Reviewed by Stephan Elizander Przybylowicz

“What's in it for me?” It's easy to talk to most women about why feminism is a good thing because they've probably experienced sexist prejudice, discrimination, and disrespect first-hand. However, it's not always easy explaining to men why feminism is good for them too. I was excited to review this book for Women in Libraries because, as a genderqueer trans guy, I have a unique perspective on gender issues. When I was first beginning my transition I made several youtube videos about identity, hormones, surgery, etc. Of all the videos I made, the ones that consistently received the most ignorant and offensive comments were those about my opinions regarding feminism and how I continue to identify as a feminist. These comments were mostly men from “men's rights” groups who felt threatened by feminism. While in this case, people with extreme anti-feminist views were the most vocal, many men with less solidified opinions of the subject are either uncomfortable with feminism or confused about what it actually is and how it benefits people of all genders.

The book contains a series of short chapters that offer topics covering everything from from A (Ally) to Z (Zero). Chapter topics include reproductive rights, chivalry, domestic violence, language, privilege, sex versus gender, and much more, all written in short snippets that everyone can understand. I did find the tone of the book to be strange, but maybe that's because I'm not included in the target audience of heterosexual cisgender males with little prior knowledge of feminism. The “bro talk” seemed forced in some areas and somewhat patronizing to the reader. However, I do appreciate that the authors tried to be lighthearted about most subjects. The writing was funny when it could be, but serious where appropriate. I do hope that readers catch on to the fact that much of what is stated in this book is sarcastic, since that brand of humor seems to be the go-to strategy in several chapters. In addition to the lighthearted tone, I appreciated the fact that lesbian and gay relationships were acknowledged even though the book admits to catering mostly to a straight male audience. However, I would have liked to have seen transgender issues included in the book, especially since there was ample opportunity to explore those subjects in the sex versus gender chapter among others.

While we still may not be able to change the minds of trolls on the internet, this book might be a good primer for those guys who just need a little push in the right direction or as a conversation starter between students (of all genders) in an introductory gender studies course. However, men who are strongly unreceptive to the idea of feminism probably won't read it in the first place and it's too basic for guys truly interested in learning more. It would be great to have a list of classic feminist texts in the back in addition to the notes section, but it seems that the real benefit of this book is showing that feminists can also have fun.

//Stephan Elizander Przybylowicz is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science and former President of the Progressive Librarians Guild: UA Chapter. Ze is interested in digital information management and social justice (especially LGBTQ) issues in librarianship. seprzy@email.arizona.edu //

Serving LGBTIQ Library and Archives Users[[image:greenblatt.jpg align="right"]]
Edited by Ellen Greenblatt Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2011
 * Essays on Outreach, Service, Collections and Access**

This collection of essays effectively builds upon the work of //Gay and Lesbian Library Service//, published in 1990, by offering insight into under-served communities within the LGBTIQ spectrum and how technology (the internet and Web 2.0) offers both challenges and opportunities for library and archives services. Each section offers a handful of topical articles, followed by case studies of how real libraries and archives have utilized various strategies. Topics include: library services provided to LGBTIQ youth, collection assessment and gauging user satisfaction, the classification of LGBTIQ resources, attempts to restrict access to LGBTIQ resources through censorship and filtering, and workplace concerns of LGBTIQ library workers. Each article is meticulously referenced and several even offer resource lists for further information on particular topics. The table of contents and index both offer easy ways to locate exactly what you're looking for.

//Gay and Lesbian Library Service// was an important publication because it demonstrated that gay and lesbian people were significant populations worthy of library attention. LGBTIQ Library and Archives Users takes things one step further and looks at how libraries and archives can be welcoming places for people of all genders and sexualities by offering universal as well as specialized services. The LGBTIQ community as a whole has changed and evolved over the last decade, so librarians need to keep up with the times and make sure that they are educated beyond “Gay 101” and the AIDS crisis. Emerging sub-communities, such as those of bisexual, intersex, and transgender people, have unique library needs and should be included in any LGBTIQ programming that libraries may have.

I think one of the most interesting overarching ideas in this collection is the power of the internet and how it has not only transformed most of library services in general, but also how they specifically relate to the LGBTIQ community. Issues such as language, classification, search functionality, and filtering are all very important to consider when dealing with LGBTIQ subjects and in developing general internet use guidelines. For instance, a ban or filter on all sexual content may inadvertently (or purposefully) block many educational LGBTIQ sites or human rights groups. Also, people may have trouble locating the information they need because the search terms they use do not match up with the item record in the catalog. All of these things have consequences for LGBTIQ people who may feel uncomfortable, confused, or ashamed by going to the library to find these resources in the first place. This book needs to be on every librarian, archivist, and administrator's shelf. Or better yet, on their desks, being read and re-read for ideas to continually provide greater service to the growing LGBTIQ community. I can't wait to see what the 2020 publication will have in store!

//Stephan Elizander Przybylowicz is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science and former President of the Progressive Librarians Guild: UA Chapter. Ze is interested in digital information management and social justice (especially LGBTQ) issues in librarianship. seprzy@email.arizona.edu //