Recommended Reads: March 17, 2018
Hello my lovely readers,
I've been trying very hard to rebalance my life these last few weeks. Since starting my new job (that I am so in love with it isn't even funny), I've struggled to do anything else except work and go home to decompress and reflect (or see a movie after work). I haven't gone grocery shopping, I haven't done my taxes, I barely managed to do laundry, I haven't kept up with this weekly recommendation or posting on pinkthingsmag.com. I feel like I've been failing you, but my champion Malaika has been keeping the Instagram hot and alive, and so many of you have continued to voice your support over these last few weeks.
The world is harsh right now. Bombs are going off in Austin. There have been like three more school shootings since Parkland. It's Women's History Month (which I've done a poor job of promoting here on Pink Things). Everyday there is more news about the dumbass American president. It's hard to keep up, and I've been struggling to keep up with my life as well.
So I just wanted to thank you for your patience, for reading this even though it's two days late, and for your kind words and warmth as we adjust and transform in this ever changing world. All of my recommendations from the past two weeks are featured below. They're pieces that made me smile, think, and justify my digital break.
Much love,
Sarah
"I Am A Lesbian. Why Do I Love The Bachelor?" by Christine Champagne for Lenny Letter - Omg this was such a fun piece on love and quirks and romance. As a queer woman who actually hates The Bachelor, I still enjoyed this work of writing and all of its guilty pleasure-ness. My guilty pleasure? The Big Bang Theory, so who am I to judge?
"Bumble Dating App Bans Gun Images After Mass Shootings" by Tiffany Hsu for The New York Times - The Parkland shooting was insane (also, not the most recent school shooting anymore, just an FYI), but it also has spawned the largest protest for gun reformation the country has ever seen—and it's been organized by teenagers. Politicians should be ashamed of themselves. Companies have started taking more responsibility for gun reformation by not selling their products, or limiting access to age groups, which is more than can be said for 90% of politicians in DC or in any of the State's congresses (except Florida, which has since passed a bill restricting gun sales). One of those companies is one that doesn't even sell guns, Bumble. They're eliminating the promotion of guns on their platform by banning photos, and eventually content, that contain guns. There are exceptions, of course, but the founder felt there was something she could do to contribute to the fight, and she's putting her money where her mouth is.
"The Healing Power of Rage-Cleaning" by Kelly O'Connor McNees for Lenny Letter - I'm a rage cleaner and I can attest to all of the things said in this piece. My bitch-ass psycho of a roommate just moved out and I couldn't be happier (you have no idea what I have been through. Psycho is not an exaggeration). However, in the midst of moving out, she stole all of the things I had purchased for the kitchen. All of them. So in between rage texts and a call to the cops to file a stolen goods report, I was rage cleaning. Rage cleaning my kitchen to rid the house of her bad vibes. I got new sponges, wiped down the inside and out of every cabinet. Next is the freezer and we just got a vacuum that's coming this week. I'm going to tackle the bathroom with bleach and sage the entire apartment. It feels good to get fresh, to start something new. I encourage you all to do it too.
"I Think I Figured Out Why My Brain Always Feels Fried" by Haley Nahman for Man Repeller - Overconsumption. We all do it. We're greedy little brain mongers who always want more content. It makes the world go round, along with our smartphones. Haley's piece reflects on what content she consumes and why, ending with a call to action to be more aware and purposeful of what we consume. That's always been part of the reason I share my recommendations with you. The internet has so much to offer, but I read specifically. I read my favorite authors and about my favorite topics. I also read about the news. But that's it. You won't find me perusing a sci-fi fan fiction blog (there's nothing wrong with that, it just isn't where my interests for reading lie). But anything on a topic related to pink, you bet I've put my eyes on it.
"Editor’s Letter-January 2018: Utopia" by Tavi Gevinson for Rookie - This was a great long-read about consumption, something that I opened from the above article by Haley Nahman. Tavi is brilliant, and her writing takes you on a journey of discovery and reflection as it pertains to you and the internet as a utopia.
"How to Raise a Boy" by various writers for The Cut - This might be the most important article to come out this week. In response to the Times article last week about our masculinity problem and boys, New York Magazine compiled a series of articles, conversations, confessionals, and essays on how to raise a boy. It was an interesting read, and worth every click (though I read it in print).
"Can You Say...Hero?" by Tom Junod for Esquire - This is quite literally the best article I have ever read. There's been a lot of hype about Mr. Rogers lately — given the current political climate, #metoo, and gun violence, are you really surprised? There are two films coming out in the next few years about the inspiring man, and I read this piece from 1998 to reminisce on my childhood with Fred Rogers on TV. And this is LITERALLY the best article I've ever read. It paints an amazing picture of the eccentric "real" Mr. Rogers, uses language in a way that forces you to regress (in a good way, I promise), and ends with an awesome personal revelation on the author's end. If you want a feel good read, pick this one!! IT'S THE BEST.
"Do We Need to Redefine Masculinity—or Get Rid of It?" by Collier Meyerson for The Nation - This was an interesting reflection and history of masculinity, written by a man, which is important.
"How I Learned to Look Believable" by Eva Hagberg Fisher for The New York Times - This is a really great piece on perception of women based on clothing choices. I really enjoyed the formatting, so I hope that you can read this one on a desktop!