Series 7 of American law drama series Suits is currently airing on Netflix. I recommend watching it. (Power through the less interesting couple of middle series; the first few and last 2 are worth it.) Spoilers ahead! Why? The corporate buzz, the office politics, the loyalties, the plays for power, the deals cut, the secrets leveraged, the main characters’ indefatigable ‘There is no way we … Continue reading SUITS & empowerment
One point of agreement between myself and ‘mainstream’ feminism is that emotional labour is a real thing. From my daily interactions with friends and family, it’s very clear that there are people who take initiative to facilitate the smooth running of gatherings and shared meals, people who think about what their friends and other halves might need or want in the short-term and execute that … Continue reading Emotional labour in 7 contrived anecdotes
If you still need convincing that confidence is super important, here is a little story. Imagine you need to buy a new wurtscriggle. A quick search reveals two companies that sell this product. You check out each of their websites in turn. The first homepage reads: The second homepage reads: The first company sounds unenthused; it doesn’t sound like they think they’re unique or worthwhile, … Continue reading The Confidence Manifesto [BONUS]
aspiration and objectification in Black Mirror, Old Masters and social media I hadn’t heard of art critic John Berger before news of his death broke a few days ago. Today I happened upon this interesting article about his critical legacy in the field of the artistic treatment of women. What hooked me in was the initial quotation: A woman is always accompanied, except when quite … Continue reading Performing monkeys 🐵 🙊
If you’ve ever been told that you’ve internalised the patriarchy, that your feminism isn’t up to the mark because you don’t take specific account of ethnic minority women, that you can’t talk about abortion because you’re a man, that you should probably not even talk in a public place because as a cis white straight man your very words, dripping with the lard of privilege, … Continue reading Politics of oppression
I recently finished an irritating book called L’Innocente (The Victim/The Intruder in English) by Gabriele D’Annunzio. I wouldn’t recommend it to you, so I don’t feel bad telling you what happens, with no spoiler alert: A man (Tullio) is repeatedly unfaithful to his wife (Giuliana). Since she’s so lovely and forgiving of that fact, they almost reconcile, until he discovers she too was unfaithful and … Continue reading Thoughts on D’Annunzio (hint: he’s really annoying)
‘I want so much more than they’ve got planned’ – quoth Belle as she almost skipped off into the book-filled sunset before, erm, being imprisoned for like no reason at all and then marrying her gaoler. This won’t be news to many people, but having recently re-watched Beauty and the Beast, the colossal sexism of the thing has only just struck me. Commonly discussed issues … Continue reading Beauty and the beastly patriarchy
What’s that you say? You’re going to write about powerful women, but instead of focussing on their achievements, you’re going to focus on their looks?! Surely this is sexism incarnate! While it’s true that more column inches than are warranted by the subject have been expended on the clothing choices (or as my friends and I used to say, the sartorial elections) of the female … Continue reading Powerful women and their fashion choices
in my write mind 