JENNIFER LE | GRACE PHAM | REPEAT OFFENDERS
BOOKS
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
This book is honestly a must for everybody, especially those who have just begun their feminist journey. Hood Feminism accurately portrays why intersectional feminism is the only true type of feminism. Growing up as a poor Black woman in America, Mikki Kendall draws on her lived experiences to deeply explain how the systemic issues of class and race are just as harmful to women as misogyny is. She draws on how there must be a fight for basic resources such as a woman’s access to food security, quality education and medical care, instead of solely focusing on issues mainly affecting privileged women. Kendall explains her arguments in very digestible terms, making her novel both accessible and engaging. This book is by far my favourite feminist novel.
It's Not About the Burqa: Muslim Women on Faith, Feminism, Sexuality and Race by Mariam Khan
This book is eloquently written by a host of diverse Muslim women diving into their shared but unique struggles. Throughout the book, each woman shares their heartfelt stories of how their Muslim identity and culture had influenced their lives. Told through elegance and humour, these essays remind readers that the oppression Muslim women face does not come from their Islamic faith. It’s not about the Burqa taught me a lot about the intersections of religion, race and misogyny within the Muslim diaspora, and reminded me how Muslim women are not a monolith. A huge recommendation for anyone. This book is a short and easy read and will leave you smiling.
F**k No! by Sarah Knight
Yes, this book is as aggressive as it sounds! Sarah is blunt but very straightforward and to the point. I think this could make a good resource for young females out there because her words of wisdom are something I wish I knew when I was younger. The moral of the story is that it teaches you when and how to say ‘no’ when you’re supposed to, and ultimately, to keep boundaries for yourself and not to sacrifice self-time to say otherwise just because of the guilt you feel when asked to do something.
Boys will be boys by Clementine Ford
This book is the perfect book for any baby feminists who want to learn about how the patriarchy has heavily instilled toxic entitlement and masculinity in boys from the womb. Boys will be boys is an interesting read as it focuses on how misogyny first manifests from how we raise our sons and the type of ‘man’ we want him to be. Ford’s angle in this book is very fresh and teaches us to place the onus on how we treat and raise men, as that subsequently influences how society at large treats women. Ford explores how toxic masculinity not only ruins the lives of women but also men. Ford is absolutely hilarious in this book and writes in a very engaging and almost conversational manner.
MOVIES
Moxie (2021) - Netflix
Moxie stars a high school teen who starts up ‘Moxie,’ her own zine that anonymously calls out the sexism that happens at her school. Throughout the movie, Moxie gains lots of love from students and also hate from those who the zine criticises. Moxie greatly riles up momentum amongst students angry at the blatant misogyny that happens daily at their school, which eventually leads to a mini feminist revolution within the school. This movie is hilarious, relatable and has the cutest romance. A must watch for everyone, especially those who want to build their knowledge on feminism. A 10/10!
Tall Girl (2019) - Netflix
Tall Girl is a story about a teenage girl named Jodie who struggles with her difference, her 6-foot-1 height. While Stig — a Sweden exchange male student receives admiration for his good looks and outstanding height, Jodi was judged and even bullied for her unique trait. This experience has tremendously impacted the way Jodi sees herself but above all, “we have two choices. We can lay low, or we can stand tall,” said Jodi. At the end of the movie, Jodi is finally able to pick up the courage to stand up for herself against the bullies and against the common norms. Ultimately, Jodi’s experience empowers women to find the strength to stay confident in themselves, accept who they are and that everybody is deserving of love! (8/10)
PODCASTS
Here’s the thing tho, with Soaliha
Soaliha is a young Muslim WOC from Mount Druitt, Sydney who gives radical eye-opening takes on contemporary social issues. She has lived experiences of what intersectional feminism is all about and is absolutely hilarious and explains nuanced concepts in very digestible terms. This podcast is and will always be my favourite because I have never resonated with both the host and podcast topics more. Growing up in a similar context as Soaliha, being from a working-class immigrant Asian family from Western Sydney, I never get to truly hear about similar experiences within these podcast platforms. Whilst talking about events that do not directly affect her, Soaliha also delves into the struggles she faces given her identity. Her episode ‘The Struggle of Being a Child of Immigrants’ strongly resonated with me and it felt like the thoughts I had always half-constructed were finally made clear. Her podcast both validates my personal struggles as a second-generation immigrant WOC, whilst also greatly educating me on what I must learn and do in able to become a better feminist and ally. From criticising white feminism and its weaponisation of tone policing to shut down the voices of women of colour through to discussing #FreeBritney as feminist discourse, Soaliha passionately explains why we must all care about these various feminist issues and in turn, discusses how we can all work together to stop them. Join Soaliha every fortnightly Wednesday to decolonise your mind as she discusses politics, pop culture and the never-ending capitalist landscape.
Her Instagram: @Soalihaofficial
Do you f*****g mind? By Alexis Fernandez
Alexis Fernandez is a pilates instructor and personal trainer living here in Sydney. She’s currently completing a neuroscience master’s degree at USYD. With her love for neuroscience and helping people smash their fitness goals, she created this podcast to again, help people to align their physical and training mindset every day. Yet, that’s not all! As a person who went through a really bad relationship with herself and with her partner in the past, she’s now inspiring women to stand up for themselves and just basically be whoever the f* they want to be. ‘Be bold’ is her life motto and that’s also the title of her new book if you want to check that out.
Her Instagram: @alexispredez
The Bechdel cast
This hilarious podcast analyses an array of movies from all different genres and intended audiences, in how well they portray women in movies from an intersectional radical feminist lens. Caitlin and Jamie go in-depth on various features such as certain tropes directors may use, how different characters treat women in the movie and even background on the directors and actors themselves. They analyse mainly popular movies ranging from Shrek to Hustlers, but also analyse underrated movies occasionally too such as The Watermelon Woman.
Their Instagram: @bechdelcast
INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS
Influencers
@Soalihaofficial
Whilst hosting her Here’s the Thing Tho, with Soaliha podcast fortnightly, Soaliha is also very active on Instagram, especially when there are major events occurring that relate to systemic injustices. Soaliha details her incredibly nuanced opinions on such events whilst also ensuring it is read in engaging ways that her audience can understand and thus learn from. She also uses her Instagram as a way to promote her podcast, update her podcast listeners about her podcast and what episodes she plans to upload, and also reposts the articles she writes for various publications.
@chanelc
Chanel Contos is a young woman from Sydney who has taken Australia by storm with her petition calling for better sex education in Australia, particularly pertaining to consent. Since her first petition (made off a google form) launched in February 2021, Chanel’s petition has rallied tens of thousands of signatures and thousands of anonymous testimonies, including from herself. Her petition has continued snowballing into a massive campaign garnering activism from many passionate individuals across Australia, protesting for better sex education in Australian schools.
@farida.d.author
Farida is a feminist author who publishes her short but sharp poems on Instagram. It is truly amazing to see how in so few words, Farida manages to shake worlds, beliefs and validate the struggles women face daily. Farida’s poetry discusses the range of issues manifested by the patriarchy. The main topics of these poems include consent to sex, the sexual objectification of women and the slut-shaming which entails from that, and in general patriarchy/misogyny as a systemic issue.
@blairimani
Blair is a Muslim bisexual WOC who creates engaging and informative reels and infographics on different topics for her audience to learn from. Her Instagram reels series ‘Smarter in Seconds’ makes it easy for beginner feminists and allies to learn various terms often used in political discourse. Her reels have discussed topics such as the wage gap, critical race theory and gender. Blair educates her followers on a spectrum of different issues, especially given her intersecting identities and their respective struggles.
Media accounts
The following accounts listed below are all quite similar in that they are all news centred platforms that commentate on contemporary events pertaining to systemic injustices, whilst also posting educational resources about feminist issues. I love all these pages because they are easy to read as short texts, very aesthetically pleasing and/or quick to read, and discuss events and issues pertaining to intersectional feminism which can vastly range from updates of Britney Spears’ current conservatorship to succinctly explaining how to be an ally to Indigenous peoples. These pages also host many fundraisers for causes and provide many resources to pages and charities.
@Impact
@intersectional.abc
@nastyfeminism
@cheekmediaco
@activislam
@angryasianfeminist
@asianactiviist
@diet_prada
Organisations fighting violence against women
@teachusconsent
@consentlabs
@yasv_australia
@nsw.yasv
@respectnowalways
@1800respect_australia
@dvnsw
@womens.girls.emergency.centre
@parrawomensshelter
Artists
@liberaljane
@amir.khadar
@emulsify.art
Sex education accounts
@clitsandconsent
@school_sexed
@weareungirls
@talk.tabu
SONGS
Run the world (Girls) — Beyonce
Flawless — Beyonce
Pretty’s on the inside — Chloe Adams
Fight song — Rachel Platten
Incredible — James TW
Body Count — Jessie Reyez (Normani + Kehlani) remix
Independent Women, Pt. 1 — Beyonce
Mama — Jennifer Lopez
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY SOCIETIES
Macquarie University Women’s Collective
The Macquarie Women's Collective is a community space dedicated to women and non-binary students and staff. Intersectional feminism is at our core front, we fight for gender and first nations justice. The Macquarie Women’s Collective executives work for this collective space to be brave and culturally safe. It is a space for learning, growing, sharing, unpacking, skill-sharing and activism.
Instagram: @mq.woco
Facebook: Macquarie University Women’s Collective
Facebook group: MQ WoCo 2021 (find through the Facebook page)
Macquarie University Queer Collective
The Macquarie University Queer Collective is here to support and represent all students on campus who identifies as queer. They have a Queer Space, located in Level 3 in the MUSE building, which is a welcome space to all gender identities and sexualities. They mainly use that space as a social area for people to get to know new people and gain support and resources.
Instagram: @mqu_queerco
Facebook: Macquarie University Queer Collective
Facebook group: Please contact macqueer@gmail.com if you would like to be added to their secret Facebook group.
Amnesty Macquarie University
Amnesty International is a diverse and democratic movement of people who share fundamental human rights values — dignity, freedom, justice, equality and a fair go for all. Macquarie University has its own branch under Amnesty International where students can campaign to give a voice to those who’ve had theirs taken away.
Instagram: @amnesty.mq
Facebook: Amnesty Macquarie University
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