Search results for: self love
6 Ways You’re Taught to Appropriate (Not Appreciate) Other Cultures
“But I’m honoring your culture!” Do you think you’re just appreciating other cultures when people say you’re appropriating? Here are the disturbing lessons giving you that inaccurate – and oppressive – point of view.
Read MoreHow Cultural Appropriation Becomes Trendy – And the Real Cost of Our Consumerism
Are big companies and capitalism the ones responsible for the harm of cultural appropriation? Don’t pass off the blame – here’s how we participate in this system.
Read More4 Problematic Trends I See on Body Positive Instagrams
If a body positive Instagram has actually left you feeling worse about your body, it’s not just you. These supposedly “positive” messages can be much better.
Read MoreWhy Some Bisexual People Don’t Feel Welcome in the Queer Community
As awareness of gay relationships is rising, there’s one group that often gets ignored: bisexual people. Many people can’t grasp that sexual attraction doesn’t have to be limited to one gender. And this can lead to some internal conflicts for bi folks. In this video, one bisexual activist shares her experiences of not feeling queer enough for the queer community.
Read MoreFor Michael Brown and Ferguson: Facing White Fears of Blackness and Taking Action to End White Supremacy
The police murder of Michael Brown has once again brought the attention of the country to the devastating reality of racist violence and structural inequality. With outrage, grief, and pain all over the country, I’m writing this to white people in particular as a call to action to stand with the people of Ferguson. Here are nine suggestions to help move forward.
Read More4 Ways Feminism Has Empowered and Liberated Me as a Trans Person
Feminism hasn’t always been inclusive, so transgender folks who are frustrated with feminism have valid reasons. But if you want to know what a positive experience for a trans feminist could be like, look no further than this article. This author shows how valuable – and life-changing – a trans-inclusive feminism can be. This is how we want our feminism to be.
Read More4 Lessons from the Trenches of Allyship
Being an ally is difficult, especially as a heterosexual cis male. The pressures of (traditional notions of) masculinity and a lifetime of systematic patriarchal training are difficult to overcome. So I have compiled four pieces of advice — based on my own experiences and slip-ups — to help all cis males (myself included) become open feminists and allies.
Read MoreWhat Does Multigender Mean? 10 Questions You May Be Afraid to Ask – Answered
Yes, it’s possible to have multiple genders – and if you’ve got questions about being multigender, check out these informative answers.
Read MoreHow South Asians Can Practice ‘Selfish Solidarity’ in the Movement for Black Lives
Where’s the entry point for non-Black South Asians and people of color to fight against anti-Black police violence? This author proposes a “selfish solidarity” in this moving piece.
Read MoreComing Out as Genderqueer Non-Binary (Outside Of and Within the Queer Community)
“Are you a boy or a girl?” For many of us, there’s no simple way to explain our gender – and that can be a difficult and lonely place to be. Read this author’s moving coming out story to see how anyone is capable of making assumptions about gender that are limiting and invalidating. Have you made those assumptions? Read on to expand your thinking.
Read MoreShaping A Latina Feminist Identity
My mother would never call herself a feminist, even though she is the embodiment of a feminist. As a Hispanic woman, she did not believe that the traditional, Western, view of feminism related to her. But from her, I learned that valuing your heritage doesn’t take away from being a strong, independent, self-sufficient woman or stop you from addressing gender issues in your community.
Read More4 Things We Should Stop Saying to Suicidal People (And What to Try Instead)
“What about the people you’ll leave behind?” It’s hard to know what to say if a friend tells you they’re suicidal. This guide will help.
Read MoreWhy I’m a Body Image Activist
Feminism has many important causes, one of which is fostering healthier body image. But some have argued that this cause is not “important enough” to warrant the attention that body image activists demand. If you’ve ever thought of body image activism as a lesser movement in feminism, check out Melissa A. Fabello’s video on the topic. You may learn something.
Read More10 Personal Rights That I, As a Black, Non-Binary, Queer Person, Refuse to Compromise On
As a black, non-binary person, this author spends a lot of time reasserting their right to exist as they are. Here are some rights that are not up for debate – and that every ally and black, non-binary person should know.
Read More4 Body-Negative Messages People Spread in the Name of Body Positivity
“Men like something to hang onto.” These messages seem positive – but find out why they’re not as great as they seem.
Read MoreWhat You’re Really Saying When You Call Me a Bitch
How we signal our displeasure to someone matters, because it is in our attempts to cause harm that we reveal how we really feel about who they are. I take “bitch” more seriously than other insults because it attempts to use a piece of my identity – my femaleness – as a weapon. Reclamation projects aside, we all need to carefully consider when and why we take aim with a B-bomb.
Read More5 Ways the Word ‘Strong’ is Used Against Black Women
Yes, black women have strength. But time and time again, the word “strong” has been used to dehumanize black women, to trivialize their pain, to create an impossible standard for young black girls to strive towards. For black women, taking that strength back means calling out the ways in which their strength is used against them. It’s time for us to debunk some myths.
Read MoreThe Trouble With Rape Jokes And 3 Tips for Surviving Them
Rape jokes are just not funny. They can be traumatizing and anyone around you may be a survivor without you knowing it. To see why these jokes continue, we need to understand how sexual violence is made insignificant and normalized, the ways we contribute to rape culture, and how to address people who make them. And most importantly, we need to take care of ourselves when it happens.
Read More7 Tactics of Emotional Abuse Used By Trump Supporters Post-Election
Silencing, mocking, and threats of physical violence? You might be surprised to know that these common responses to Trump’s win from his supporters are actually abusive.
Read MoreExploring My Sexual Orientation As a Non-Binary Person
Two genders don’t cover all the ways of existing. So if gender doesn’t mean what we’re taught it means, what does that say about gender-based sexualities? This author shares their discoveries on gender and sexuality.
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