Feminism and Me 2019

Happy International Women's Day!!!

Today I thought I would chat/braindump about my relationship with feminism. I last wrote about feminism in 2017 two whole years ago, I have matured from then but I still have a lot to learn. Since then I have become less naive seeing how different aspects of people's identity has a direct impact on their paths through life. I would now say I am an intersectional feminist, my blinkers have started to fade away and I can see that the fight for equality is not as simple as it seems. 

Also since writing the post the #MeToo movement has seen dramatic and much needed rise in momentum, most notably with the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Since I last wrote on the topic more people are openly feminist and the stigma surrounding the word seems to have eased. ‘The original purpose of "Me Too" as used by Tarana Burke in 2006, was to empower women through empathy, especially young and vulnerable women. In October 2017, Alyssa Milano encouraged using the phrase as a hashtag to help reveal the extent of problems with sexual harassment and assault by showing how many people have experienced these events themselves.' Since then changes have started to be made most notably harassment in the workplace men having to stop and think about what they are saying and somehow only in the 21st century are realising their actions have CONSEQUENCES. They can be told to fuck off, disciplined, fired, taken to court - depending on what exactly they have done.

I have also tried to start educating myself, being aware of what I am consuming.  Last year I read Why I Am No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge, which looks indepthly at the ingrained structural racism in society, which white people aren't even aware of and the ignorance of BAME peoples experience. This was one of my favourite books from last year, but I really need to read it again to let the dense information in this book sink in more thoroughly.  

Jess Phillips MP for Birmingham Yardley has recently been in the news for the Olive speech in the House of Commons.

"Since I was elected I have met many people who earn way more than £30,000 and have literally no discernible skills, not even one.

"I met none before - I thought I had met posh people before I came here, but I had actually just met people who eat olives.

"I had no idea of how posh a person could be.

"Waitrose is apparently not the marker for being really, really posh.

"There is a lovely Waitrose in Birmingham Hall Green; it is the one I like to frequent.

"I have not necessarily met such people in this place, although there is a smattering.

"I would not let some of those very rich people who earn huge amounts of money hold my pint if I had to go and vote while in the bar.

"Because they would almost certainly do it wrong."

She is one of only a few MP's who have a no nonsense attitude, who knows what she stands for and her beliefs. Her book Everywoman was an eye opening read and empowering. In fact when I gave it to Grace for Christmas, before I knew it it had been passed around her work place for all her colleagues to read.

Right to conclude this wordy post, in 2019 I now identify as an intersectional feminist, there have been massive steps forwards for Women's rights (not enough alas!) and I am trying to become more educated and woke, so I can speak more eloquently on things that matter to me.

Resources:
Books!
Feminists Don't Wear Pink and Other Lies curated by Scarlett Curtis a great book to start out on your feminist journey/discovery
The Guilty Feminist (book) by Deborah Francis-White for an overview and wide angle
Becoming Michelle Obama one of the most anticipated books of the year, Michelle's account of the journey from Chicago to the White House
Animal by Sara Pascoe examining how the animal within the human race effects the relationship between men, women and the patriarchy
Every Woman by Jess Phillips a feminist take on parent-hood to labour politics to domestic abuse
Why I Am No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge what it says on the front cover
Podcasts!
The Guilty Feminist
Feminists Don't Wear Pink and Other Lies
Instagram!
I Weigh
The Insecure Girls Club
YouTube!
Leena Norms
Rowan Ellis

In all of the above categories I am looking for more by BAME, LGBT and other under represented people.

Then finally to finish this mammoth post off, a truly iconic advert voiced by Serena Williams

Bloom by Estee Lalonde |Review | Women's Week

Estee was the first person I subscribed to on YouTube and I have been religiously watching since I was 17.

I will admit when I first heard she was writing a book my response was '*groan* not another YouTuber Book'. My opinion changed. Estee was so open about writing the book, I loved the reason behind it, so I bought it, for myself for Christmas.

Lets talk about the aesthetic of tis book. It is easily the most gorgeous book on my shelf! I love the gold foil title on the spine of the book, the contrast of texture on the cover. The page edges of pastel. Photography throughout is stunning. From the aesthetics alone you can see this is a thoroughly thought out endeavour.

Estee does share things which she hasn't mentioned online, such as her difficult relationship with food growing up. Subjects like 'binge eating' and starving yourself because of outside pressure, need to be talked about. Its so important for people to hear about this to know they are not alone, and they can get through difficult times in their lives.

For me I most related to her school experience, feeling like an outsider never quite fitting into any groups. It doesn't mean your a bad person or weird, especially seeing how popular Estee is amongst everyone in the YouTube and blogging community.

My favourite chapter was Travel. I'm just at the start of the stage in my life where travelling is a viable option, it made me want to see the world, whilst Estee shared her favourite things about the country she has visited.

This book is literally suitable for any age group from teens and up, whether your reflecting on an age or your are living it. 

Bloom was truly a delight to read and when I have a coffee table, it will proudly be place on it for all to see.

xxx

Women who inspire... | Women's Week

In the penultimate post in my 'Women's week' I wanted to do a post about inspirational women.

In my life I understand that I have white privilege, in my life I am so fortunate to be surrounded by women who inspire me. Up until recently naively I wondered why Women's Equality was an issue, at school I had women teachers who were heads of departments, head teachers, my doctor was a woman. At home I have never been treated less favourably than my brother, and was (and am) free to aim for the stars. I'm also fortunate not to be asked if I want to start a family, that not being my parents goal for me. Then I have my friends who are all doing amazing things, in many different sectors. I am so proud of them all.

One of my oldest friends Grace is studying English at Edinburgh University, I thought she would be the perfect person to ask about inspirational having gone through a different life experience (going to uni). Here is what she had to say...

The pilot episode of BBC3’s new drama ‘Clique’ shows a strong, successful female lecturer delivering questionable views about feminism from behind her podium, designed to create character and generate plot, maybe to get a viewer to critically engage with ideas of gender. This image was still in my mind when asked to think about women who have inspired me, and reminded me that one of the most inspirational women I have encountered I have seen from the same perspective, separated from me by a lecture theatre stand. Dr Jan Penrose, teaching an Economic and Political Geography course, was a revelation in the ideas and the passion she presented, one of the few times I truly felt my eyes being ‘opened’ to the world in the cliché  that I had expected from university. And once I had considered this, I thought about how many other intelligent and bold female lecturers I have been lucky to learn from over the course of my degree.

I didn’t used to think much about gender in my essays – I thought the arguments involved were ‘obvious’ (forgetting the privilege of holding such a view) and wasn’t that interested in exploring them. But the more I’ve studied, the more I can see how angles of gender are subversive pathways that lead to other, crucial challenges, and how little these female and ‘other’ voices are represented in the canon and university courses. Institutions, academic and otherwise, can be amazing platforms for rethinking and change – but also dangerous and fossilising museums.

I couldn't do this post without mentioning Meryl Streep. I was captivated by her in my teens. She is the most Oscar nominated actor, of all time. She is smart, funny and stands for equal rights for all. Over her career she has been in such a wide range of films Sophie's Choice to Mamma Mia (I don't think you could get 2 more contrasting films) and has never been type cast. She is a woman at the very top of her game, and has been for years. If I could be half as successful as her in any way, I would be beyond happy.

I think now is the perfect opportunity to say, Women's Equality can be achieved only if we Women stop putting each other down. Until we stop collectively doing that, will the patriachy take Equality seriously.

International Women's Day |Women's Week

Today is International Women's Day!

So what is International Women's Day? It is every year on 8th March, commemorating the movement for women's rights. The 2017 campaign is #BeBoldForChange, on the right hand side of my blog you can see the widget. You can choose to champion: challenge bias and inequality, against violence, women's advancement, women's achievement and women's education.

Personally I am championing Women's Education as I believe that a good education is such a huge part of getting out of poverty. When so many girls in this world do not get an education, it is extremely important.

I work in the Learning and Participation department, the aim being to get a wide array of people from the community interested and taking part in the arts. Something I am hugely passionate about.

xxx

#titgate | Womens Week

You've all seen it on the internet...the world is freaking out about the fact Emma Watson has some bare breast on her Vanity Fair picture. According to some people... that means she can't be a feminist and has double standards. 

“Feminism is about giving women choice. Feminism is not a stick with which to beat other women with. It’s about freedom, it’s about liberation, it’s about equality. I really don’t know what my tits have to do with it. It’s very confusing." Emma Watson

I agree 100% with Emma, Feminism is about giving women choice. The choice to present themselves to the world how they want to, what careers are viable to them (knowing they will be equal to male counterparts), letting women love who they want to. 

Men who are successful, can also be "sexy" and that doesn't effect how serious they are about their career or as a person. For women this is not the case, still in 2017. This is what feminism is about, women having choice and not be judged or downgraded for choices that are made, in a way men simply are not.

These past few days, are a stark reminder that as a society we are still not in a good place.

Lets not forget that Emma is an advocate for women's rights, she is a UN ambassador, pioneer of the HeForShe campaign and beatboxer (see here).

xxx

Sources: The Guardian, picture

Feminist TBR | Women's Week

On Wednesday this week, it is International Women's Day, so I thought this week I would share the love of women. Starting of this week with some feminist books I want to read. Personally most of the books I read are by women but I would say they are more "fluffy", but the fact they are written by women, when most books that have been published are by men, that is feminism right there. But here are some books I believe are more overtly feminist.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Francesca Cavallo

This is doing the rounds on BookTube, the women featured look really interesting and the illustrations look gorgeous.

A Woman's Work by Harriet Harman

In case you didn't know is a Labour MP, the book is about how she managed to become an MP, when the odds were extremely against her. This satisfies my feminist and political interests.

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler

As the title suggests this is an episodic play, each monologue discusses and explores different parts of the feminine experience. I would love to see this performed live also. It was described by the New York Times as on of the most important  pieces of political theatre in the 1990's.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The only book out of this selection, currently on my book shelves. The musical of the book will be touring the US after a period of time on Broadway. This pullitzer prize winning book, explores the lives of African-American women in the southern states of America, this isn't a period of time that I know a lot about, its hugely important to be aware of the past - and I'm excited to read the book.

How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
I've read seriously mixed reviews of this book. From what I can gather it is a series of essays...and not for people who are easily offended by humour. This book when it came out was very popular on the internet, and Moran has since written more books.

xxx