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As authors, have you had to fight for equal recognition in your work? What have been major obstacles you’ve faced in your careers and how did you overcome them?
Im writing my thesis on the transformative power of female anger and its role in social movements and art. So I would like to know what they think about this relation of art, social movements and transforming society and what role anger plays within that and if e.g. anger expressed by men is less constructive or less transformative or how they think about these intertwined topics. (I´m assuming they also write about this in their books but I have yet to read them as soon as I finish exams, I´m so looking forward to that tho.)
In which moment of your life did you realize that you were ready to write a book?
I heard Audre Lorde and I was hooked. My favourite quote from her is “It is not our differences that divide us, but our inability to recognise, accept and celebrate those differences”
Anyway, What do you think about the media’s perception of modern day western feminism?
It is a common motif used in literature that women who are empowered have some sort of "superpower" or are "mad", in either case, these women are separated from the "normal" or "average" society. Why do you think this is an advantage/ problematic? Would you say we should fight against these motifs, or should we embrace them to achieve a more realistic/approachable view of women's empowerment?
According to Linda Hutcheon, feminity and womanhood are ideas constructed by society. As she puts it, women are not born but created. I agree with her in so far as social standards and traditions are imposed on women to reduce their places in a patriarchal society, but I would like to ask you where you think the line between who women choose to be and are, and what women are made of lies?How do you think literature can help us challenge and discover more of this sort of ideas?
Thank you <3
This is probably off topic, but I've been pondering this and I can't come to a good answer: how do we, as a society, address cultural appropriation in a way that's productive and not simply a community's collective anger discharged at select people? There are definitely people out there who appropriate culture with ill-intention, but there are those who don't have malicious intentions, and both parties seem to receive the same level of vitriol. Is our solution just to take away people's rights to participate in aspects of culture that aren't their own? I ask this as a woman of color who can completely understand the deep-rooted rage behind cultural appropriation. I would love to know your thoughts on this.
How do you feel feminism has changed in your lifetime and what direction do you see it taking in the next 10-20 years and into the future?
Did Audre Lorde's book, Sister Outsider, have an impact on writing Elequent Rage/Good and Mad (to the respective author) and if so, how?Are there any books you can think of that did impact how you wrote your respective book or what you chose to write in your book?
How do you portray feminism to its original definition and hold your views? How do you deal with people who misunderstand the values and meanings?
What are ways that people can become more informed about feminism other than books?
What’s the best question you have been asked in an interview?
I would ask the authors if they see a difference between feminist writers from 30 years ago and current writers today, is there more or less inclusiveness?
Will there be a universal definition of feminism? What do you think of radical feminists?
I would like to know what kind of books the authors like read and how they personally would define the word "feminism".And what are things that every single person can do in their day to day life that would contribute to gender equality?
What advice would you give to women of colors who can be seen as aggressive when they are just trying to get their voices heard (especially in the workplace).Thanks, Baya
Who have been the women in your lives who most inspired you?
I'm minoring in Women and Gender Studies and Audre Lourde's essay on the 'Master's Tools' come up quite often. I'd love to know how these fairy godmother's of feminism think the idea that the master's tools cannot be used to dismantle the master's house (paraphrasing from memory - sorry :( ) stands up today. Can we dismantle systems of oppression by working within the framework of these oppressive systems?
I was wondering about the writing routine of the non-fiction author. What does it take to write a book about the women movement?
I’d be curious to hear about how their books evolved as they wrote them. Are there examples of pivots they made during the writing process? What caused them to go in a different direction than originally planned?
What children's books would you suggest to mother's that are trying to raise girls into self confident young women. Are there any titles that could help with building feelings of self worth and independent critical thinking?
What was the first book that you saw yourself in it?
I know when I write or speak about issues that are important to me, such as gender and inequality, it can really take a toll on me. When writing and discussing these issues that are important, personal, and difficult do you take time, or feel the need, to step away from these issues and discussions in order for self care? And with that while writing was this something you felt you needed and/or took time for?
What do you think are the best books to give our daughters? (any age)
How do you respond when you hear feminists being referred to negatively? I respond that feminists are basically equalists. I don’t hate men, I love them. I love women too and think we need a level playing field if we are ever going to have true equality. Is there a better way to respond?
Do you believe the immense diversity of newly elected House of Representatives has already affected the US population with regard to race and gender? How do you believe these newly elected representatives can affect the most change, given that most of them will have very little political clout among their Congressional colleagues in Washington?
Do you believe the immense increase in female participation in the 2016 elections will continue? Why or why not?
Do you believe the 2016 midterm elections were simply an anomaly, or do you think this is a critical turning point for the US regarding progress for females and people of color that will continue to grow into the future?
How do you utilize your anger and frustration with society and systemic racism to create a path that allows all to be represented? Is this something that can be learned or taught?
What was the more rewarding part of writing this book?
Jo wrote: "Dear OSS,We are very excited to announce that two of our currently selected authors (Brittney Cooper and Rebecca Traister) will be interviewing each other in the near future!
We would love to hea..."
What inspired each of you to write your respective books? Also which books inspired each of you to become writers?
How long it took you to write your books?
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become better writers?
While countries like USA and Britain have been fighting for women’s rights for “some time”, what would be your advice on starting this in countries that have not gone there yet or are just starting? Especially developing countries where people could argue there are more “pressing issues” like “feeding the population” etc...
I would like to know how old were you when you first heard about feminism? Did you embrace it with open arms or did you inch your way in because you were not sure? Can men be feminist too?
What make you to stood up and write about Women and Feminism?
What was your path to becoming an author? What was the catalyst for you putting your book out into the world?
I would love to hear from both of these amazing human beings, who’s shoulders they feel they stand on themselves? Which women in their own life stories do they feel lifted them up? And also, what are they both looking forward to in the future, personally or globally?
I read from a book called Rowan's Tree a phrase that stayed with me "We who enjoy privileged lives are the beneficiaries of crimes airbrushed from history". My question is how do the authors see this phrase in relation to feminism and how can we make sure this doesn't happen when we fight for equality?
Recently we've seen a rise in feminist/racially progressive reboots of formerly white/male franchises. What do you think about these, and what is your opinion on the criticism that women/POC should just make up their own original stories instead of reinventing established ones?
Thank you! I'm wondering how both of you (Rebecca & Brittany) disconnect and disengage from the activism that you do? Because encapsulating ourselves all the time in activism and advocacy is incredibly difficult and can be mentally exhausting.
Jo wrote: "Dear OSS,
We are very excited to announce that two of our currently selected authors (Brittney Cooper and Rebecca Traister) will be interviewing each other in the near future!
We would love to hea..."
Dear Shelf,
Please ask the authors the following question:
Public education often includes devotional ritual for young children. In America, children who don't attend religious academies often recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This ritualistic devotion has a profound effect on an individual during formative years: what interest do the authors have in extending the observance of this practice? A possible method would include that students who don't attend yoga and Pledge in the morning are considered truant in High School.
We are very excited to announce that two of our currently selected authors (Brittney Cooper and Rebecca Traister) will be interviewing each other in the near future!
We would love to hea..."
Dear Shelf,
Please ask the authors the following question:
Public education often includes devotional ritual for young children. In America, children who don't attend religious academies often recite the Pledge of Allegiance. This ritualistic devotion has a profound effect on an individual during formative years: what interest do the authors have in extending the observance of this practice? A possible method would include that students who don't attend yoga and Pledge in the morning are considered truant in High School.
Were there times you felt were "defining moments" in your feminism? Whether when you "became" a feminist, or felt renewed passion, or something else?
I'd like to ask to Brittney Cooper and Rebecca Traister how do they think that women all around the world could carry on ideals of equality, freedom, justice, rights and respect in a lovely and specifically women manner.Thank you
I would like to ask you both about racism in feminism. If a movement like feminism is blind to racism (towards women), do you still consider it a feminist movement? Thank you.
What advice do you have for young women who stifle their expression of anger for fear of not being taken seriously - both in personal and professional settings?Thank you so much!
I would love to hear what their "must read" books are for the necessary social, political, and structural revolution in the USA based on our system of capitalism and racism and their ideas how womxn's rage plays into the changes. I'd also love to hear what superpowers they would pick if they had the chance.
My question is what they think of the relation between feminism and social media. :-)
Mod
I would love to ask if they know/have any podcast or documentary or film to recommend? Thanks so much!!!
I‘d like to know who are your biggest inspriations as feminists and how you first got in touch with feminism yourself?
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How can white women be better “allies” in the movement and be good advocates but not take up too much space? I feel like there is a lot of performative inclusivity and sometimes worry that I (as a white woman) am guilty of this as well. Where my intentions to be inclusive and intersectional are true, but my actions don’t always go far enough to match the intentions.
Also, when there are so many issues to think about and be angry about, how do we sustain action? I find myself reacting to things as they gain attention in the news but then quickly forget about them as new issues pop up. And along those lines, how can we know what issues and voices we are not hearing, aside from following a range of accounts on social media?