Witches Sluts Feminists is a slender volume. It positions itself as a primer on the connections between the three subjects in the title and in this respect it is very successful. I have delved deeper into feminism and witchcraft previously, but even so the book did not bore me. It looks at the subjects in fresh ways, with quotes from different women and non-binary people, and strengthens the connections between each of the tropes and an overarching fear of female power and autonomy.
The book is intersectional, white cis feminism this is not, and I would say that is its main strength. It considers, admittedly at a surface level due to its brevity, multiple points of view about the history of the words witch and slut and the value they might have if we reclaim them for ourselves. While I think the writer might share a similar dislike of the word slut with me, those who are vocal about reclaiming it and given a voice.
Emily Temper is quoted in the chapter Twitch of the Tongue as saying ‘slut means “pulling the Patriarchy out of your ass and owning your sexuality without getting arrested or institutionalised.”’ I think this is important, because yes in the twenty-first century women are legally free to choose our lovers and sexual expression, but I argue that the kick back from men makes this difficult to do safely. Slut Walks are organised because a woman’s sex life or how they are dressed is still used to dismiss claims of rape and assault.
Moving away from reviewing the book for a moment to concentrate on this divisive word, Slut, I will quote from the text and offer my own thoughts on the subject. Slut is a word I refuse to reclaim, not because I have a problem with women wanting sex for pleasure, promiscuity or sex work, but because the word degrades women to a point where our sexuality is not our own to control, but used as a weapon against us. Slut, in my personal experience, has been used against me to argue that by insisting on sexual freedom and sex for pleasure I somehow owe sex to anyone who wants me. That being sexually active nullifies my right to say no.
Quoting again from the book and this time, Tanenbaum, “I fervently hope for the day when we can use the word ‘slut’ as a feminist punchline and a badge of honour, but we are not there yet. Only when we have the right to sexual equality can all women be free to take back these words and make them ours.”
The book is American-centric and almost lost me with the chapter “Hillary Clinton, the Wicked Witch of the Left”, I mean come on! She’s as far left as my right pinky. But in spite of this, hopefully tongue in cheek, statement it is an entertaining read. The illustrations are gorgeous and the style is accessible rather than academic. It also works as a spring board to discover writers and practitioners that could lead the reader on a more in depth and transformative journey towards spiritual and sexual liberation.
4/5 stars. Enjoy!