“Abortion Helpline, This is Lisa” paints a harrowing picture of life under the Hyde Amendment; after dipping into rent and food money, asking everyone in their life for money, and calling strangers at a fund, a person may still not end up with enough to exercise their legal right to an abortion.
Dismantling the Patriarchy in Technicolor
“I opened Girls Garage as a physical space where all girls, especially girls of color, would feel safe and inspired to exercise their personal voice and power. The fact that a space like this exists is in and of itself, a political statement, and the creativity that comes out of it naturally represents our hope, anger and identities.”
Sex Sells—But Why? and How? Author Maria San Filippo on Sexual Provocation in Film and TV
In her latest book, San Filippo examines the history of sexual provocation in the media. Yes, sex sells—but why and how? In particular, she examines how female and queer filmmakers coopt sexual provocation for their own radical and sometimes even radically ordinary purposes.
Women in Biden’s Cabinet Need to Be Seen and Heard
For the Biden administration’s female appointments to succeed, they will need the public to call out when they see sexist coverage of women leaders. After all, it takes guts for women to agree to live a public life.
5 Alternatives to “Hurtful and Wrong” Dr. Seuss Books
Research shows that many children are aware of and make judgements based on race well before they reach kindergarten, so they could be absorbing the images they see in Dr. Seuss books (or elsewhere) more than their parents realize.
Q&A: How Intersectional Poetry Can Inspire Young Girls To Be Themselves
Ms. writer Shanta Lee Gander recently talked with Diana Whitney about the ways her poetry anthology “You Don’t Have to Be Everything” encourages non-binary, trans and cis-gendered girls to bravely and boldly be themselves.
“Poetry is having a moment right now, and I hope it’s not just a moment. We turn to poetry in times of emotional need, and in times of collective crisis.”
Privilegio: “Of Women and Salt” Follows Three Generations of Cuban Women
“Gabriela Garcia captures the lives of Cuban women in a world to which they refuse to surrender and she does so with precision and generosity and beauty.”
— Roxane Gay
April 2021 Reads for the Rest of Us
None of us has been left untouched by the health, social justice and economic crises of the last year. I find that the right book, at the right time can make a world of difference.
Here’s to this year being better than the last; at the very least, may we all find the book(s) that we need. Perhaps yours is included in this month’s list of 43 titles.
“I’m Speaking”: Meet the Feminists Stitching the Country Back Together
A public mural of Kamala Harris reveals her portrait created in vibrant yarn. The project was spearheaded by the L.A.-based, international “yarn bomber” and street artist London Kaye, and brought to life by over 150 crocheters.
The Story Behind Her: Journalist Jenni Monet Wants to De-Colonize Your News Feed
Meet Jenni Monet, journalist and founder of the weekly newsletter Indigenously: Decolonizing Your Newsfeed and tribal citizen of the Laguna Pueblo.