Thoroughly modern millennial

Tag: Misc

  • Read, Watch, Listen | Black History Month

    Read, Watch, Listen | Black History Month

    As a South East Asian woman I can honestly say that I do not know what it’s like to be a member of the black community. I have empathy for their struggles, I can relate some of their issues to my own (as is the case with Intersectional feminism), but to put it bluntly I have no right to talk about black issues.

    With Black History Month drawing to a close, I feel like I would be doing a disservice if I tried to preach at you all about why #BlackLivesMatter. The first step to becoming an ally to any minority community is to ‘shut up and listen’. An ally’s  job is not to take the spotlight, but to place that spotlight on the people who’s voices really matter. Most importantly an ally’s job is when we get called out, to take on the critique and educate ourselves when we get things wrong.

    In the spirit of ally-ship today’s post is about highlighting the voices of the black community. I can’t tell their story, but they can. To make it even easier, here are a small snipped of links to articles and think pieces you can read, films, Youtube videos, and TV shows to watch, and albums and podcasts to listen to.

    Read

    Watch

    • 13th (2016), Directed by Ava Duverney
    • O.J.: Made in America (2016)
    • What Happened, Miss Simone (2015)
    • Girlhood (2014)
    • Dear White People (2014)
    • Hip-Hop Evolution, Netflix series
    • Black Female President 2032, Akilah Hughes Akilah Hughes
    • IDA B WELLS: The Princess of the Press, Kat Blaque
    • #MyLifeMatters, Blackout for Human Rights Blackout for Human Rights
    • UK Black History Month, Gal-Dem
    • Diversity & Parliament: Why it’s important to celebrate Black History Month, UK Parliament
    • An interview with the founders of Black Live Matter, TEDTalk TEDxTalks

    Listen

    • Podcasts:- I, The Angry Black Woman, Melanin Millennials // Madam Secretary, What’s Good? (with Hillary Clinton), Another Round // Obama’s Legacy: Did he remix race?, Code Switch
    • Music:- Solange Knowles: A seat at the table // Alicia Keys: Here // Kendrick Lamar: To pimp a butterfly

    And as I mentioned this is by no means an exhaustive list. Use this as step one for yourselves to seek out more. The more we understand about each other the easier it will be to empathize when issues arise.

    — — —

    Leave more links to interesting articles you’ve read in the comments too! As I said on Twitter this week, our knowledge as allies is always a work in progress, so educate me!

    Ria Xx

  • January | In Retrospect

    January | In Retrospect

    Song of the month: Another Day Of Sun by La La Land OST

    Is it just me or has this January gone on an age?

    Normally I’m still living off some helpless optimism from the new year but I don’t think I’m alone in thinking that whilst 2016 was utter garbage, 2017 doesn’t look like it’s getting any better. The world is dark. The 24/7 news cycle feels so overwhelming at the moment and honestly it’s exhausting to watch.

    When I started this blog I had no idea six years down the line I’d be writing drafting up posts the importance of representation in pop culture, women’s rights and civil liberties. I had no idea when I used to post wishlists of Chanel bags and Marchesa ballgowns that my most read and well-received posts would be on how to support protest marches from afar and telling you all on Twitter to donate to the ACLU. But hey, that’s the World we live in now.

    And that World is exhausting. I am so very tired. I cycle between consistent headaches. Between the Inauguration, Brexit mess and just this past week of Executive Orders alone I haven’t really been sleeping properly either.

    Whilst I do preach the philosophy that activism, especially online activism is not rocket science and a political tweet can take just a second out of your day. I think it’s worth reminding everyone that if you do feel overwhelmed or feel like you’re turning a giant squid of anger, then please do step back. It’s not productive and it’s definitely not healthy. Activism, in part, is shift work, we can take turns and we do need everyone at the top of their game to really make a difference. So, take a break, breathe and come back refreshed and fighting.

    In that vein self-care has been so important in the past few weeks. My own personal routines have included the following:

    • Naps. Lots of them when possible.
    • Re-watching Wonders of the Universe and Blue Planet on Netflix, because sometimes it’s nice to learn about the Oceans and Stardust.
    • Using the Neal’s Yard Pillow Mist spray before bed. The smell of lavender has massively helped calm my brain down.
    • Seeking out good news stories (following @PositiveNews has been great) and generally watching any of the New York protests, because New Yorkers get sh*t done man.
    • Physically writing things down. Whether that be my journal, or writing projects or poetry.
    • Trips to the cinema, going out for dinner, and pub trips out with friends.
    • Listening to the La La Land score. Escapist I know, but gosh this music is a light tonic to the gloom.

    In addition to all these I’ve found planning and having good things to look forward to has also been useful. So I’ve just booked tickets go to watch the talks at TEDxOxford this weekend and I’ve got my Hamilton West End tickets for next year too. I’m also currently planning a trip to India with my housemates this April and the logistical planning is proving to be massively cathartic.

    On that note, this is my plea to make sure you’re all looking after yourselves. It’s very easy to get sucked into the constant cycle of despair but you are not alone. Find your light folks.

    Ria

    This month in blogs:

    On TMM

    Activism bits:

    Welcome to the Resistance: Are you sitting uncomfortably? // Ways To Support The Women’s March From Afar // A Feminist Prayer For A New Year

    Important self-care tip:

    3 Reasons To Start A Personal Journal

    Some lighter toned posts:

    Postcards from Oxford // Non-Fiction For A New Year // Favourite Films Directed by Women // My 2017 Writing Goals // On 6 Years of Blogging

  • Welcome to the Resistance: Are you sitting uncomfortably?

    Welcome to the Resistance: Are you sitting uncomfortably?

    I don’t know about you but I feel like I’m basking in a post-Women’s March glow at the moment. It certainly feels like the Feminist Movement has gained momentum again. The shots of the crowds were incredibly moving, uplifting images of solidarity. The world does feel a little brighter, so forgive me if this post seems to dim the lights on what was an incredible event.

    In the aftermath of the march coverage, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of cynicism over the celebrations over the zero number of arrests, the comments on how peaceful the protesters were, and how well received the march was in general by the public. Whilst, yes, it’s always reassuring to know that no one got hurt, I can’t help but think about the levels of violence protesters faces for the Black Lives Matter movement and the Dakota Access Pipeline in the past year alone.

    The Women’s March, though largely attended by a huge number of minority groups and run by women of colour, they were largely outnumbered by cis-white women. The march itself was well funded and rigorously organised. They had legal permission to march and police were very much on side for crowd control, rather than regulate protesters. For all intents and purposes, if you wanted to dive into activism this was probably the best possible situation to do so.

    It begs to question, are we only willing to stand up when we know we’re not going to get attacked? Tear gassed? Blasted with ice water? Or even shot at?

    More than a march, welcome to the movement

    There is a privilege that comes with being white or cis-gender to have the choice of being actively political and to speak out. Even us, white passing people of colour have to admit that we so far have had an easy-ish ride.

    The challenge now? Are we willing to reach out of our comfort zone, in order to protect those who have fewer rights than us. Are we willing to see the World intersectionally? Are we willing to understand that women of colour, the LGBTQ+ community and the disabled have been marching and shouting far longer than many of us have.

    Are we willing to set aside our privilege and listen to people with wholly different experiences to our own?

    A call to arms

    So I speak now to you, the apprehensive and tentative activist. If you’re new to the movement, welcome. We are an inclusive and caring bunch. We want the numbers, we need the numbers now more than ever. But that uneasy feeling in your stomach that dealing with issues of inequality; of facing violent racism and homophobia head on; the drop in your stomach on being called out for being transphobic or ableist; the fervent tiredness of fighting?

    It’s a familiar feeling that minorities are living everyday.

    It’s not a fun feeling and it may be something you’re not used to. But it’s time to embrace uncomfortable conversations, issues and actions. After all, when has fighting for something you care about ever been easy?

    A few things you can do right now to slide yourself into that mindset:

    Whatever you do, don’t resolve to stand still on issues.

    Embrace being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

    — —- —-

    If you’re new activism, what’s been your first act? Was it something big like the Women’s March, or something small, like RT-ing activists on Twitter.

    Ria Xx