How Does 'Collapse Feminism' Critique Modern Feminist Movements?

As someone who's followed feminist discourse for years, 'Collapse Feminism' hits hard with its critique of modern movements. It argues that contemporary feminism has become too fragmented, focusing on performative activism rather than systemic change. The book points out how corporate feminism watered down radical demands into hashtags and merchandise. Intersectionality gets reduced to checkboxes rather than meaningful solidarity. The critique extends to how modern movements often prioritize individual empowerment over collective liberation, turning feminism into a self-help brand. What struck me most was its analysis of how neoliberal feminism benefits capitalism more than women, creating a system where 'girlboss' culture replaces genuine equality. This isn't just theory—the book backs it up with data showing stagnating wage gaps and reproductive rights rollbacks despite decades of awareness campaigns.

After reading 'Collapse Feminism' twice, I'm convinced it's one of the most important critiques of 21st-century feminist movements. The author dismantles three major pillars of modern feminism with surgical precision.

The first target is digital activism's limitations. Viral campaigns create momentary outrage but rarely sustain pressure for policy changes. Social media feminism often rewards aesthetic wokeness over substance—think influencers posting black squares during BLM but never showing up to protests. The book contrasts this with 1970s feminist organizers who built lasting community networks without digital tools.

The second critique focuses on how feminism became market-friendly. Empowerment now means buying body-positive lingerie instead of unionizing garment workers. Corporate diversity initiatives let companies profit from feminist imagery while maintaining gender pay gaps. The author cites studies showing how 'feminist' brands often employ sweatshop labor.

Most devastating is the analysis of generational divides. Younger feminists dismiss older activists as outdated, while veterans accuse new movements of historical amnesia. This infighting prevents unified action against real threats like rising global fascism. The book ends with a call for radical solidarity that transcends identity politics—a feminism that collapses neoliberal structures rather than decorating them.

What makes 'Collapse Feminism' stand out is its unflinching look at how modern movements fail working-class women. While wealthy feminists debate pronouns on Twitter, the book shows single mothers working three jobs still can't afford childcare. It highlights how mainstream feminism centers white women's issues while immigrant cleaners and indigenous land defenders face brutal violence with little solidarity.

The critique goes deeper than just pointing out flaws. It exposes how feminist NGOs often redirect grassroots energy into harmless bureaucratic channels. Donor-funded initiatives prioritize metrics over revolution, turning activists into grant writers. The most powerful section compares contemporary movements to historical ones—suffragettes endured force-feeding in prisons while today's 'activists' cancel each other over imperfect tweets.

Yet it's not all doom. The book spotlights underground networks doing real work—mutual aid groups, abortion pill distributors, strikers. These prove feminism isn't dead, just overshadowed by its commercialized version. The takeaway? Stop waiting for institutions to change and start building power from below.