Roxane Gay's book "Bad Feminist: Essays" addresses the complexities within social movements, emphasizing that while people generally have good intentions, the bureaucratic structures often hinder effective change. Gay expresses her frustration with these systems, suggesting that they can complicate matters and slow down progress. She advocates for a more straightforward approach to issues surrounding feminism and equality.

In her essays, Gay champions the idea of using common sense as a guiding principle rather than getting bogged down by red tape. She believes that simplicity can lead to more genuine understanding and action in feminist discourse, promoting an approach that prioritizes practical solutions over convoluted procedures.