FEEL GOOD FRIDAY ♡ Unpacking female rage at the male gaze
September marks the season of the witch. And witches, of all genders, are naturally suited to feminine rage.
I’m not a woman, but I know a lot about feminine rage.
It’s my favorite musical genre and my fave subset of cinema. Lupita Nyong’o’s quiet smoldering storm, the way Anya Taylor-Joy grapples with madness… Amy Lee’s quiet admission she wants the world to burn. Rico Nasty’s loud declaration that she’s exercising restraint. Megan Thee Stallion rests somewhere in between.
Give me all of it!
We parrot the phrase “I’m just a girl” back and forth to each other as a tenet of meme culture. “Just a Girl” by No Doubt was actually my middle school introduction to feminism. Then came “Feeling Yourself” by Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé.
(Along the way came people like Hayley Williams, Avril Lavigne and Courtney Love who endlessly impressed me, from their fashion sense to their devil-may-care presence in interviews.)
While Gwen Stefani, Onika Maraj and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter are all deeply problematic in their own ways, I credit them with the genesis of my feminism. Very 2.5nd wave, I think. But thank God that I don’t put celebrities on pedestals, and thank God I know how to evolve past my origins.
Writing this newsletter was so fun for me, because I didn’t open up Substack with any set agenda. I just knew I needed to write something. After a few hours of reflecting, curating and synthesizing, I realized a theme had developed organically — like a spore mutating.
And that’s exactly how I like to create: At the mercy and bliss of the Muse. I realize that the more I look to ancient ways of artmaking — i.e. looking for creative-process advice outside of the Content Creator Industrial Complex — the more fulfilling the work is that I’ve created.
I just had a fulfilling conversation with one of my dear heart friends that is a collaboration in the works. (I’m also doing a visual collaboration with a newer friend, that I feel quite aligned with, soon.) All this to say: Sometimes it’s been an ugly or strange process, but I’m glad for the ways I’ve mutated this summer.
❂ VIBE CHECK ✪ MOODBOARD ❂ PRO-TIP ✪ RAGE ❂ IN ROTATION ✪
The Vibe Check: Autumn is just around the corner
I love a spooky movie year-round, but I always up my intake when a chill hits the air and the leaves start to brown. So far, I’ve watched Practical Magic and Death Becomes Her. I reunited with a friend to watch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and go to an alt drag show. I also re-watched Get Out and Scream 4.
But my God, nothing hit like a rewatch of The Craft. The movie is imperfect cinematically, especially toward the end. But this strange but serene riff on the coming-of-age drama is chef’s kiss. If you loved Heathers or Juice, you’ll love this movie.
Moment for the Moodboard: The season of the witch
Practical Magic was giving me nothing plot-wise, but I loved the cinematography and costume design.
I’m sure people say the same thing about The Love Witch, but I accept zero Love Witch slander!
Sustainability Protip: Go crate-digging. Seriously.
The highlight of this super busy summer was visiting A-1 Record Shop in New York City with my mom. It was one of the rare times we got to chill one-on-one, having taken a side quest to the Lower East Side so I could finally meet my work mentor IRL.
A core memory ‘til the day I die: Twisting and popping to 70s funk, 80s synthpop, 90s rap. I loved holding single play Missy Elliott records, discarded by some New York disc jockey for our rediscovery.
My mom got a Timbaland record and — hold up, I think there’s a original promotional copy of Purple Rain that mysteriously hasn’t made it back to my apartment!
Rage Room: Liberal hypocrisy on bodily autonomy
People who claim to be fans of women and even love them… are outraged that Chappell Roan is reaffirming her own bodily autonomy… Make it make sense.
And as for her treating paparazzi with the same callousness she’s been shown: It’s only a human reaction. She didn’t throw anything, like we’ve seen some celebs do, and she didn’t try to run anyone over. She just lobbed that F-bomb right back.
If that’s worth crucifying her, then good thing she dressed like Joan of Arc at the VMAs.
In Rotation: ‘Female’ ‘Hysteria’
1. “Where Is My Mind?” by Tkay Maidza: Because what’s more goth than being Black? Hearing a weird Black girl cover this song brings with it fresh poignance.
It gives me the sociocultural feeling of “Weary” and “Where Do We Go?” by Solange Knowles.
2. “The Feminine Urge” by The Last Dinner Party: An excellent song to wipe the crust (or tears) from your eyes and rage.
Oh ballerina, bend under the weight of it all
Ain't it fun to hold the world in your hands?
Do you feel like a man when I can't talk back?
Do you want me, or do you want control?
Failure to commit to the role, I admit
Was a failure you achieved on your own
4. “Hollon” by GloRilla: Gloria “Hallelujah” Woods has had an undefeated run this summer. She’s rapping harder than ever and looking hotter than ever, and, as a more masc-presenting artist, is exploring her feminine side. I consistently read comments lamenting this, implying that Glo is yet another example of women being forced to adhere to the male gaze.
If Glo’s Public Image is a visual text, I think this reading of her more recent concert ‘fits, photoshoot BTS and forays into the soft-glam-body-wave-mini-skirt look are shallow at best — misogynistic at worst.
This song reaffirms my reading of Glo’s web and IRL presence: She’s unapologetically herself at all time, and the only thing constant is her dedication to topping herself in new and exciting ways.
4. “We Cant’t Stop x Where Is My Mind” by Miley Cyrus: The queen of covers remains prolific, duh.
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