Recommended Reads: April 14, 2018
Happy Saturday kittens!
It was a gloriously warm and sunny day here in NYC; a whopping 75 degrees. I spent it drinking mimosas with friends in Central Park while celebrating one of their birthdays. I can't wait for warmer weather (note: warmer weather does not mean summer. I hate summer, but I love spring and autumn).
I have 12 articles that I am recommending to you this week. They are some really good ones and not all that long. Did you know the original Wonder Woman is now a country music star? I didn't until I read the amazing profile on her below. I also learned how long it takes to make friends, that it's okay to change the status quo, and that in our ever evolving times, it's important to reflect on where we've been and how we got here.
Until next week!
xx Sarah
"What Is Former Wonder Woman Lynda Carter Doing These Days?" by Rachel Dodes for The New York Times - Who knew that the original Wonder Woman was also a country music star? I sure didn't. This is a cute and quick profile on the legendary figure that once portrayed the most feminist icon in the DC universe.
"Roxane Gay on Body Positivity and Her New Pop-Up Magazine" by Katie Kilkenny for Pret-A-Reporter - I've linked to the entire online magazine that is up so far below (Roxane is releasing a new bunch every Tuesday in April). This is a great interview with Roxane about what inspired this pop-up magazine reflecting on the body in all of its forms (hint, it has something to do with Hunger, her most recent non-fiction book). I can't wait to read the next installment!
"It's a Theyby!" by Alex Morris for The Cut - Wow, what an insightful and interesting dive into the new world of non-gender conforming parenting. I'm all for this new way of raising kids, and I truly loved reading all about the lengths that parents are going to to combat societal gender stereotypes while raising their children. The biggest thing they do? They don't tell people the sex of their child. It makes a world of difference.
"Alyson Stoner: How I Embraced My Sexual Identity" by Alyson Stoner for Teen Vogue - I've loved Alyson Stoner's acting career, though I have fundamentally disagreed with her outlook on life and her oppressive views on love thanks to her love of Christianity. However, I'm really glad to see how she's grown in relation to herself, her sexuality, and her outlook on the world. Thank god.
"Fear & Soothing: How Sunday Became A Mood You Can Buy" by Connie Wang for Refinery29 - Ugh how fun it is to read about the commodification of societies oldest traditions. I really liked reading about how Sunday is now a branding technique, similar to millennial pink and wellness. It's a brief investigation with some issues, but worth the read.
"What About 'The Breakfast Club'?" by Molly Ringwald for The New Yorker - I've always loved Molly Ringwald and I think that this piece of reflection on the roles that she played in John Hughe's films is particularly interesting given the #metoo movement. She's taking the time to be accountable and publicly reflect on how she may or may not have contributed to the promotion of rape culture, and calls out the late John Hughes for his writing.
"How to Read Tarot Cards: A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Their Meanings" by Aliza Kelly Faragher for Allure - I've been getting really into witchy things lately, like crystals and spells and tarot, partially inspired by my goth soul sister Tori West. I'm dying for someone to buy me this tarot deck, as I really think the good juju from being gifted your first deck would be crucial to my practice. Anyway, this was a fun lil guide to experimenting with tarot.
"When a “Routine” Exam Feels Like an Assault" by Barbara Ehnreneich for Lenny Letter - (Trigger Warning) Who enjoys pelvic exams? No one. And this excellent piece point out how unnecessary they are for women and people with reproductive organs when they aren't exhibiting symptoms. The yearly recommendation is strictly benefiting the doctors who take your money, not you, as evidenced in the research included in this piece. Why should we submit ourselves to discomfort when it isn't necessary? Not to mention the doctor abuse that often takes place, also discussed here.
"How an Estrogen Shortage Is Making Life Hell for Trans Femmes" by Emira Hajj for them. -
And while we're on the topic of fucked up medical "care," let's talk about the stupid shortage of estrogen needed for trans femmes in America. Our medical system is completely set up, dependent, and run by those at the pharmacuitcal companies. It's so FUCKED. These women need care in the form of easy-to-get estrogen, and it's severely lacking. What the actual fuck.
"This Is How Many Hours It Takes to Make a Friend" by Cari Romm for The Cut - As someone who doesn't have a lot of friends, this was a fun piece to think about. I have a lot of acquaintances, and now I'm pretty worried that I'm not going to make many new friends here in New York (after about two months into knowing someone, if you haven't bridged the friend gap, you probably never will). Anyway, worth the five minutes it takes to read!!
"The Royal Wedding: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers to Everything You Ever Wanted to Know — and Some Things You Didn’t" by Sarah Lyall and Elizabeth Paton for The New York Times - I'm so stoked for this, and this article is unparalleled in design and interactiveness. Check this one out on a computer for the full effect!! It's literally the coolest article I've ever seen.
"What It’s Like to Know You’ll Be on Antidepressants for Life" by Danielle Tcholakian for The Cut - This is me. I've tried to go off of my meds before, and I just can't control my emotions or my life. I'm on them for good, and I'm okay with it. However, there aren't a lot of studies on the long-term effects of anti-depressants. I've been on mine for nearly a decade, having started them when I was a teenager. That's kind of a scary thought, and to be honest, my brain probably no longer produces the happy chemicals naturally, but that's okay. I have just the right amount coursing through my body at any given time thanks to medicine.
Read my previously recommended reads here.