Contributors to a new book, Feminism FOR REAL: Deconstructing the academic industrial complex of feminism, celebrated the book’s launch in front of a packed house last week at the Toronto Women’s Bookstore. There was standing room only, as spectators lined the walls and stairs, while others had to be turned away at the door.

< "I always think five people are going to show up, because I think that I post things and I rant and I rave all the time and nobody is listening," said a very modest Jessica Yee. "I'm truly honoured that you are listening and people are here."


“Fuck the waves of feminism, we are the ocean,” seems to be the slogan attached to Feminism FOR REAL, a book that attempts to look beyond the often-oppressive waves of feminist theory practised at post-secondary institutions and move toward a “real life” form of feminism that is not exclusionary to many.


The evening began with soup and bannock, followed by an opening address by Lee Maracle and drumming by Shandra Spears-Bombay. After a brief introduction by Jessica Yee, some of the book’s contributors read from their selections. The evening also included a screening of The Road Forward, a short film dedicated to the many First Nations women who have gone missing on the “Highway of Tears.” The proceeds from all books sales were donated to a scholarship fund aimed at the children of missing and murdered Aboriginal women.

Read a complete review of Feminism FOR REAL here!—Jessica Rose

**video removed at the request of the authors**