Get through this odd summer break by reading, listening and watching these Gender Equality gems!
It is summer, the sun is out (albeit not a lot when you live around Brussels), the days are longer, work is a little lighter, and you feel like escaping on an adventure! However, a global pandemic is kind of getting in the way of your aspirations…
Still, we thought we could provide you with some great recommendations to get you through this period and even find yourself on the other side more educated on Gender Equality than ever!
So buckle up, the trip might not take you further than your garden, but it will be an exciting ride nonetheless.
Things to read, and get your feminist fire burning
- Books
We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This book is an essay about what feminism is really about (a feminism that is intersectional and inclusive) and why every woman (everyone) should be a feminist.
Women Don't Owe You Pretty, by Florence Given
This book is an accessible introduction to feminism and its implications in concrete aspects of our lives, it explores many themes with a feminist/empowering lens, such as: beauty standards, relationships, queerness…etc.
Bad Feminist, by Roxane Gay
This book is an amazing commentary on our society and our culture and how it influences our perspectives. This book is also the story of Roxane Gay herself and of her evolution as a feminist and a queer woman of colour.
Beyond the Gender Binary, by Alok V Menon
This book will make you question the gender social construct and will educate you about non-binary people and gender non-conforming people. Alok is a gender-nonconforming artist and an activist.
Persepolis, by Marjane Satrapi
This graphic novel is the eye opening, inspiring, emotional, and hilarious at times, story of Marjane, who grew up in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution and then went to live in Europe.
The Handmaid Tale, by Margaret Atwood
This book tells the story of a woman in a very dark dystopia in which women are stripped of their autonomy and the control of their own bodies in a future where infertility has become a problem.
- Blogs
“Bitch looks at the media and its products through a lens that takes into account the historical and cultural representation of gender in pop culture. Bitch aims to put a lucid, balanced face on feminism for all kinds of folks, including people who aren’t really aware that feminism refers to more than women who don’t want to shave their legs, or simply getting more women into positions of power.”
“The Body Is Not An Apology is an international movement committed to cultivating global Radical Self Love and Body Empowerment. Through information dissemination, personal and social transformation projects and community building, The Body is Not An Apology fosters global, radical, unapologetic self-love which translates to radical human love and action in service toward a more just, equitable and compassionate world.”
The Young Feminist Europe Blog
“Young Feminist Europe is an open platform that aims to amplify young feminist voices and activities across Europe.” Their blog is full of interesting articles on different feminist issues from the perspective of activists and advocates.
PLUS of course our great Gender ABC blog and educational modules
Things to watch to feel empowered, inspired, laugh and cry a little
- Movies
Little Women
A retelling of the classic literature novel with a more modern (and even more feminist) spin.
The Color Purple
A classic of American cinema, the Color Purple is an adaptation of a novel by the same name. It tells the story and hardships of Celie, a young black girl growing up in the early 1900s.
Persepolis
A movie adaptation of the amazing graphic novel: rage, cry and laugh, as you watch the life of Marjane unfold between Iran, Europe and her own magnificent imagination.
- TV Shows
Fleabag
An extremely funny, relatable and beautifully written look at the life of a young British woman struggling with trauma and her place in the world.
The Handmaid’s Tale
An already classic TV adaptation of the Atwood novel, which goes beyond what was written in the book and gives a chilling perspective on a possible future, that feels less and less improbable.
Pose
Pose tells the story of the New York Queer Black and People of Color Ball culture in the late 1980s. Pose is already groundbreaking by the fact that it features the largest cast of transgender actors in a TV Show.
Little Fires Everywhere
Set in an elite American suburb, the series follows the Richardson family and a black woman and daughter who uprooted their lives. Entertaining, suspenseful and thought-provoking.
- Documentaries
Period. End of Sentence.
“Period. End of Sentence. is a 2018 documentary short film directed by Rayka Zehtabchi about Indian women leading a quiet sexual revolution.”
Disclosure
“An in-depth look at Hollywood's depiction of transgender people and the impact of this on American culture.”
Ouvrir la Voix (Speak Up: Make Your Way)
“This documentary explores the intersections of discrimination, art and blackness. SPEAK UP/MAKE YOUR WAY is about black women reclaiming the narrative.”
Things to listen to and fuel your brain for the debates you will be having once you get to see people
- Podcasts
“WoCness podcast is a platform for women of colour to discuss sociopolitical issues that affect the intersections of our identity. Hosted by Meena, Stacey, Hadeel, Khadija, Charis and Jess.”
“The Guilty Feminist is a feminist comedy podcast hosted by Deborah Frances-White. Created by Frances-White and Sofie Hagen in 2015, the podcast features guests on a panel to discuss topics on and related to feminism, and is recorded in front of a live audience.”
“Blaine Harrison from Mystery Jets explores stories of resilience from writers, musicians, comedians and activists who have not only had to overcome adversity but used their voice to empower others in the fight for social justice.”
If you need more podcasts suggestions, we have an entire article with feminist podcasts to listen to!
And, finally, accounts to follow, to get educated even more!
- The Gender ABC @genderabc
- Female Collective @femalecollective
- Kimberlé Crenshaw @kimberlecrenshaw
- Jameela Jamil @jameelajamilofficial
- Florence Given @florencegiven
- Rachel Cargle @rachel.cargle
- Munroe Bergdorf @munroebergdorf
- Alok V menon @alokvmenon
- Sonya Renee Taylor @sonyareneetaylor
Now go and have a great, fun, thought-provoking, inspiring summer!