Reading Breaking Free by Dr. Marcie Bianco (PhD) was a thought-provoking and eye-opening journey that challenged many of my long-held beliefs about feminism and equality. As someone who has seen equality as the cornerstone of feminist goals, Dr. Bianco's bold argument—that the very concept of equality is flawed and rooted in a patriarchal, racist system—forced me to rethink what true liberation for women should look like.
From the outset, Dr. Bianco meticulously lays out her case that equality, despite its well-intentioned premise, is actually an unattainable ideal that has historically worked to maintain women’s oppression. I found her historical analysis compelling, particularly her discussion of how the fight for women’s suffrage and subsequent feminist movements have been structured around the pursuit of equality, which has often only benefited those with the most privilege within the movement—primarily white, cisgender women.
What struck me most was Dr. Bianco’s argument that equality, as it is framed today, inherently limits the feminist fight by tethering it to existing power structures. She deftly exposes how this framework traps women in the gender binary and restricts them to fighting for a piece of the same system that has oppressed them for centuries. The idea that equality forces disenfranchised communities to conform to patriarchal norms in order to be accepted and validated was a powerful realization. It made me reflect on how often feminist efforts are focused on being “equal” to men, without questioning whether we should even want to adhere to those same power dynamics.
“Tenacious… Bianco succeeds in provoking thought about the limitations of equality, as well as the self-liberatory potential of an ethic of freedom when held in balance with mutuality, which Bianco characterizes as respect for others’ unique existence, and community-oriented decision-making.” - Publishers Weekly
Dr. Bianco’s vision of freedom, as distinct from equality, offers a much more radical and transformative approach. She proposes that feminism must break free from the very structures it has been trying to equalize with. Her call for freedom practices—bodily autonomy, freedom from patriarchal constraints, and liberation from reductive identity politics—strikes at the heart of what I now see as the feminist movement’s biggest challenge. She argues that true freedom, not equality, is the answer to overcoming systemic oppression. This reframing is both liberating and unsettling, as it requires us to imagine a future where we do not simply aspire to be on par with men within the same structures but create entirely new paradigms for society.
Watch: Dr. Marcie Bianco (PhD) on 'Breaking Free: The Lie of Equality and the Feminist Fight for Freedom'
While some of Dr. Bianco’s ideas may be controversial, I appreciated her willingness to tackle uncomfortable questions and push the boundaries of mainstream feminist thought. Her critique of identity politics was particularly interesting, as she explains how reducing complex identities to fixed categories limits the full expression of individual freedom. Instead, she advocates for an expansive view of identity, one that is fluid and not confined by societal expectations or institutional definitions.
The book does not shy away from confronting the inherent difficulties in dismantling a system that is so deeply entrenched. Dr. Bianco acknowledges that the fight for freedom, as opposed to equality, is a much more challenging road—but one that is ultimately more fulfilling and necessary if we are to achieve genuine liberation. Her vision for a future feminist movement is not only about fighting against the oppressions of the past but about creating new possibilities for the future.
In Breaking Free, Dr. Bianco’s writing is clear, passionate, and at times confrontational—but in the best way. It feels like she is urging readers not just to think, but to act. This book will not sit well with everyone, particularly those who hold tightly to the notion of equality as the ultimate feminist goal. But for me, it was a necessary provocation, one that opened my eyes to the limitations of my own thinking and inspired me to imagine what true freedom could look like.
“What I have always loved about Bianco is her extraordinary ability to make difficult concepts accessible, applicable, and even attractive to the most cynical mind. She is an immensely empathetic human being who knows how to make a common-sense argument for liberation. I cannot tell you how excited I am for the world to read this.” - Charlotte Clymer, writer, leading LGBTQ influencer, military veteran, author of the popular Substack newsletter Charlotte’s Web Thoughts
In conclusion, Breaking Free is a radical and essential read for anyone invested in the future of feminism. Dr. Bianco’s argument that equality is an illusory goal, designed to keep marginalized communities chasing after something that cannot dismantle systemic oppression, is both revolutionary and empowering. Her call for a feminist movement focused on freedom rather than equality offers new hope and direction for a movement that has too often fallen short of its goals. This book challenged me deeply, and I believe it will do the same for anyone willing to engage with its bold and transformative ideas.
The book is available at major bookstores worldwide and on Amazon. Click here to grab your copy and dive into the transformative world of feminism. https://tinyurl.com/2jdz35tc
About the Author:
Dr. Marcie Bianco (PhD) is a dynamic voice in the world of feminism and cultural critique, blending her expertise as a writer, editor, and scholar with over fifteen years of experience. Known for her incisive commentary on feminism, ethics, and contemporary culture, Bianco’s work has been featured across major platforms like CNN, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, NBC Think, and more. A 2013 Lambda Literary Fellow, she has contributed essays to academic collections and introduced BUTCH, a photography book by Meg Allen.
Currently, Dr. Bianco serves as an editor at the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), where she steers key sections of this global, award-winning publication that focuses on cross-sector innovations driving social change. Her influence extends beyond the written word—Bianco is a columnist at the Women’s Media Center and regularly speaks at prestigious institutions like Harvard and Northwestern University. A frequent media guest, she’s appeared on platforms like Huffington Post Live and Al Jazeera’s The Stream to share her insights.
Dr. Bianco’s commitment to feminist discourse and cultural analysis is matched by her playful, intellectual spirit at home in California, where she lives with her cats Simone de Beauvoir, Freddie (Nietzsche), and Amanda (Gorman).
Product Details:
Breaking Free: The Lie of Equality and the Feminist Fight for Freedom by Marcie Bianco was published by PublicAffairs on September 5, 2023. Available in English, this 377-page book offers a deep exploration into feminism and challenges the conventional pursuit of equality.
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