Spectra Speaks
How about we — as global gender justice advocates — subvert the idea that women are perpetual victims by covering our collective resistance? How about we cut back on the sensationalism — the shock tactics and controversy we once deployed to get mainstream media to pay attention to issues important to us — and now spend time amassing a historical archive of positive happenings that could inspire legendary bed time stories of the many feminist heroes and heroines that have been paving the way to our liberation?
As the strapless lilac dress found its awkward place on my body, the delicate layer of my personal confidence dropped mercilessly to the floor.. When my father said I looked “pretty,” I immediately went on a dramatic tirade (more dramatic than usual) to assert that this wasn’t who I was. “You only compliment me when I’m wearing clothes I don’t want to wear,” I complained, “I don’t feel pretty. I feel stupid.”
My brother wrote this guest post for me for Christmas and I couldn’t be any more moved. For any of you feeling hopeless about your families coming around, I want you to read this and see this as your future, see this as where your own family members could go. You will get there. They will get there. We will all find happiness :)
I can’t describe how powerful and affirming the experience of looking through pages and pages of words has been; from stream of consciousness prose to pensive morning reflections, from photo-poetry to snippets and chapters from upcoming book projects, I really am blown away by how far I’ve walked, mentally and spiritually. This blog alone is a testament to how much stronger and more confident my ‘voice’ has become and I feel so lucky to have gotten the support and engagement of my readership that I have. If you are relatively new to my blog, welcome! I encourage you to pick one or two of my top five posts to get to know me a little better.
About Me
Meet Spectra: Nigerian Writer & Media Activist, Queer Afrofeminist Social Commentator, Human Rights Advocate, Social Entrepreneur, Africa's Cheetah Generation, Idealist Warrior Woman.Latest Pins on Pinterest
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African fashionistas.
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Becca -- African music artist, reppin' Ghana. Beautiful.
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EDWARD ZWICK (Director): I don't care what the race intellegentsia says, he's my favorite white American filmmaker because he consistently produces films that illuminate the role of the US around the globe, and on its marginalized citizens. His films are "human" -- less preachy then Spielberg, more realistic than Cameron. I'll always respect his commentary on cultural appropriation (and his...
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To Hell With Mainstream Press Coverage: Women, People of Color, and Trans People Should Create and Control Their Own Media Stories
As leaders of social change, we aren’t in a position to suffer “bad” press — which in our field, often means mis-informed, mis-quoted, downplayed, and at times, downright inaccurate press coverage on the social justice issues we care about. Our causes — “brands” for the sake of argument — aren’t celebrities who can afford to say “any press is good press” and wait for the next scandal to hit the stands. We must create content — write, contribute to the conversation, tell our own stories, and speak out whenever (and as often as) possible.