It seems likely that “overcoming” is a continued exercise without any end in sight and that the exhaustion from it is a part of our lives and our DNA. TW/CW: discussion of depression, suicidal ideation and mentions of sexual assault, emotional abuse and trauma. Depression used to be something I didn’t know I was experiencing...
Author: Lara Witt (Lara Witt)
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What Olivia Munn and Lizzo Get Wrong About Art Criticism
The reality is that celebrity careers rely on the expertise of critics. On Thursday, Olivia Munn tweeted two pages of a response she had in reaction to the fashion site, Go Fug Yourself, run by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan. Much like its title, the site employs a dash of humor when describing celebrity attire...
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You Haven’t Seen What Arlan Hamilton is Capable of Yet
“Who I work for, who I answer to is that Black woman in the back, who I need to reach with my voice.” You may have already heard of LA-based trailblazer Arlan Hamilton, the founder of boutique venture firm Backstage Capital who invested in more than 100 start-ups led by women, people of color and/or...
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KNOW HER NAME: Cheryl L. Bedford is Changing Hollywood for Women of Color
“We are the only ones who elevate everyone.” Opportunities for women of color in film and entertainment are severely limited. The status quo for Black women in Hollywood reflects their realities across industries and throughout society. Cheryl L. Bedford, a producer and the Executive Director and Founder of Women of Color Unite and the JTC...
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‘Captain Marvel’ and the Power of Women’s Emotions
Captain Marvel serves as reminder that emotional, compassionate, angry, resilient, brave, loud girls and women are dangerous to oppressive structures. This article contains spoilers for the Marvel film, “Captain Marvel” One of the most enduring and damaging messages I learned as a child was that I needed to control my emotions and that if they...
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How Men Can Be Slightly Less Trash
Cisgender men need to intentionally open themselves up to more than just their own perspectives, opinions and experiences. Cisgender men often ask me what they can do as “allies” or “accomplices” to women, femmes, trans and GNC/nonbinary people. I am usually willing to offer my thoughts on the matter, but I am often discouraged because...
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Stop Mourning Oppressors: Anti-Condolences For Karl Lagerfeld
The fashion industry continued to let this terrible person hold a place of high-esteem and reduced his commentary to Lagerfeld simply being a bit eccentric. Chanel’s creative director, Karl Lagerfeld, died at 85 on Tuesday in Paris. Lagerfeld, known for being “the King of Fashion” and a prolific designer who left his mark on the...
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Why Activists and South Asian Women Oppose Neomi Rao’s Nomination
Neomi Rao’s views on sexual assault, race, LGBTQ rights, affirmative action, and disability rights are nothing short of alarming. This article contains mentions of sexual assault and victim-blaming On Tuesday, a group of South Asian women representing 65 desi women lawyers, law professors, and survivor advocates stood up in silent protest during attorney Neomi Rao’s...
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I’m Not Here For Your Presidential Candidates
I want things that disrupt the way that governments and societies operate, and so why would I be in favor of any presidential candidate? I’m tired, and that exhaustion is going to follow me deep into the 2020 presidential election. I’m not looking forward to being yelled at about voting for “the right candidate”, I’m...
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INTO’s Closure Reflects the Brutality of The Media Industry Towards Queer and Trans Writers of Color
Those who are harmed the most by Grindr’s decision to shut down INTO magazine are queer and trans Black writers. On Tuesday morning Grindr closed down its LGBTQ+ publication, INTO after laying off the magazine’s entire editorial and social media staff, leaving full-time employees without jobs while dozens of freelancers and columnists lost their primary...