My Life on the Road Thoughts Part 2

I became consistently more invested in this book as I continued to read. As I started the chapter on Steinem's love for college campuses, I was shocked by how many she's visited in her lifetime. The chapter was relatable as she described the typical environment of a university she visited on the road. During my time at USC, I've seen several different movements occupy campus such as Take Back the Night and rallies fighting current immigration policies. I see universities as an intellectually rich micro-view into the larger society, much like Steinem does. 

As Gloria described the personal politics of her family growing up, I was instantly transported to my own childhood. Like her, one parent was extremely invested in politics while the other was not. My father was and still is, extremely passionate about politics. I can recall the aura in my house change whenever there was a national election or hot button issue discussed on the news. Although he was invested in one political party, I feel extremely grateful to have been raised by parents who pushed me to form and speak on my own opinions, without fear of retribution. 

As I reflect on the book, I realize that it was nothing like I expected it to be. Labeled as a "feminist" book, I was surprised to learn so much more about life in general. The book is almost like a metaphor for the feminist movement in the United States, so often labeled as one thing but offering so much more when looked at more objectively. Reading through Steinem's stories, I found myself either relating to them or learning from them. I now intend on following Gloria's public presence on social media and feel more inspired after reading her book.