The hottest Feminism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Culture Topics

Taylor Swift and the Good Girl Trap

Culture Study • 10386 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Celebrities Feminism Analysis Society Identity
  1. Taylor Swift's fame and success put her in a delicate position where even her smallest actions are heavily scrutinized.
  2. Winning constantly can lead to over-saturation and make it hard for people to root for you, turning every move into a topic of critique.
  3. Celebrity culture reflects greater societal issues, such as discourses on girlhood and the struggles faced by privileged white women in progressive spaces.

Enchantment is resistance

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 4792 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Feminism Nature Events Psychology
  1. Enchantment can be a form of resistance, challenging the myths that contribute to ongoing issues and inspiring new ways of being.
  2. Writers and storytellers play a crucial role in resistance by offering stories that help people imagine and desire a better world.
  3. Resistance to everyday evils can involve living differently day by day, making small changes that collectively create a positive impact.
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The Trouble with ‘Murder at the End of the World’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3083 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Feminism Literature Social Commentary
  1. In the show _A Murder at the End of the World_, the protagonist Darby Hart stands out as an unexpected detective due to her age and gender.
  2. The series aims to deliver feminist messages and social commentary, but some viewers find it heavy-handed and lacking originality.
  3. The portrayal of Darby as a young, attractive amateur detective solving a mystery challenges traditional crime genre conventions, but some viewers question the believability and depth of her character.

Twenty years a target of the trans cabal

Julie Bindel's podcasts and writing • 1886 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Feminism Trans rights Activism Gender Ideology LGBTQ Rights
  1. The author has been targeted by trans activists for 20 years, facing protests, threats, and being de-platformed.
  2. The rise of gender ideology and the inclusion of trans rights have challenged traditional feminist views and sparked debates.
  3. Despite backlash, the author remains committed to advocating for women's rights and challenging bigotry.

if he wanted to, would he really?

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 1867 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Dating Gender Feminism Relationships Social media
  1. Men's behavior in relationships is not always as simple as 'If he wanted to, he would.'
  2. Slogans like 'If he wanted to, he would' may have underlying anti-feminist implications and oversimplify modern dating dynamics.
  3. In today's dating scene, understanding and compassion for both genders can help avoid misunderstandings and improve relationships.

We live in a time of anti-feminist backlash

Men Yell at Me • 367 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Feminism Gender Equality Activism History Social Issues
  1. We are currently experiencing an anti-feminist backlash, and this issue has been persistent throughout history.
  2. Feminists face challenges in fighting for equality, with movements like Me Too being depicted negatively by anti-feminist forces.
  3. To combat the backlash, feminists must continue demanding equal rights and creating a world where gender doesn't limit opportunities.

What is a Mother?

The Abbey of Misrule • 483 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Cultural Progressive Neoliberalism Feminism
  1. Ireland's constitution of 1937 marked a significant shift towards independence, neutrality, and revival of Irish culture and language.
  2. The evolution of Ireland from a traditional Catholic society to a more progressive, globalized state has led to significant changes in laws and societal values.
  3. Proposed changes to the Irish constitution highlight a shift towards progressive ideals, with a focus on removing traditional gender roles and promoting individual rights over familial structures.

Meet The Lipsdick: A Dick-Shaped Lipstick

The Unpublishable • 12421 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Beauty Feminism Gender Art Marketing
  1. A lipstick shaped like a penis was launched, sparking discussions about beauty standards and feminism in the industry.
  2. The product's marketing as empowering and innovative is being questioned, as it may perpetuate stereotypes and lack depth.
  3. The controversy highlights issues with media coverage of such products, raising concerns about critical thinking and substance in journalism.

"You are just bitter"

Men Yell at Me • 555 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Essays Art Feminism Identity Social Issues
  1. Bitterness is often used to dismiss messages of pain or betrayal, shifting focus from blame-worthy behavior to the person expressing the pain.
  2. Bitterness, like anger, is a morally neutral emotion, and how it is used can determine its impact - as a cudgel to brush off ideas or as a force for uniting people.
  3. Swallowing bitterness can give clarity and power, enabling one to keep writing and speaking out against injustice.

Building a woman from scratch

Men Yell at Me • 490 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Feminism Movies Society Creativity
  1. The Pygmalion myth, where a man creates an ideal woman to replace real ones, is a common theme in stories and movies.
  2. Society often portrays women as needing to fit a certain perfect image, leading to pressure to meet unrealistic standards.
  3. Despite societal pressures and expectations, women are pushing back, embracing their messy, rebellious, and authentic selves.

Tara Reade, Christine Blassey Ford, and the bleak limitations of pettiness feminism

White Hot Harlots • 19 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Feminism Due process Supreme Court
  1. Proving accusations in criminal cases, especially those of sexual assault that happened years earlier, remains extremely challenging and often lacks definitive evidence for legal action.
  2. The era ushered in by the Trump administration led to a deeply held belief that women's accusations of sexual misconduct should be believed without question, disregarding traditional standards of evidence and due process.
  3. The treatment of Tara Reade and Christine Blassey Ford highlights the disparity in how women are treated based on who they accuse, showing the flaws in the MeToo and BelieveWomen movements.

Is Feminism Shrinking?

Letters from Suzanne • 2378 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism Gender Politics
  1. Feminism may be shifting to a broader definition of womanhood, including male-bodied individuals.
  2. There are ongoing debates about trans women in sports and transgender inmates in women's prisons.
  3. The author sees a concerning trend of feminism being narrowed and losing its essence.

Year in Review, 2023

In the Flash • 786 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Photography Creativity Feminism Technology Personal Development
  1. The author is thankful for the support and growth of their newsletter in 2023, especially from paid subscribers.
  2. Some of the most popular posts in 2023 focused on topics like viral fashion images, AI photography, and photography do's and don'ts.
  3. Personal stories and reflections on topics like vulnerability in photography and feminist representation also resonated with readers.

The right way to be a "woman"

Men Yell at Me • 375 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Marriage Feminism
  1. Women are pressured to conform to rigid definitions of womanhood and gender roles.
  2. Societal expectations attempt to confine women to narrow standards for their appearance and behavior.
  3. Expanding the definition of womanhood to be inclusive and diverse provides freedom and challenges limiting beliefs.

Models Crying

SBJournal • 452 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Photography Feminism LGBTQ+ Magazines Art
  1. The 80s Lesbian Revolution in Photography challenged traditional beauty standards and stereotypes through provocative and empowering imagery.
  2. On Our Backs magazine broke barriers by featuring women photographers capturing diverse, sexual, and honest portrayals of women, disrupting the male-dominated photography industry.
  3. The models in On Our Backs were diverse and unapologetic, embracing their sexuality and challenging societal norms, sparking controversy and discussion surrounding women's desires and identities.

Les Belles Dames Sans Merci

SBJournal • 353 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Memoir Feminism Sexuality History Literature
  1. Facing challenges in printing and distributing a feminist erotic magazine in the 80s due to societal norms and discrimination.
  2. Encountering obstacles in business operations and facing prejudice due to the nature of the content.
  3. Navigating the complexities of feminist politics, censorship, and personal relationships within the context of sexual liberation movements.

Two Years of Writing Emails

Burnt Toast by Virginia Sole-Smith • 2535 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Writing Community Personal Growth Body Image Feminism
  1. Virginia Sole-Smith started Burnt Toast newsletter two years ago after leaving freelance writing for corporate media.
  2. Paid subscriptions from the community made it possible to sustain Burnt Toast, support marginalized voices, and fund various projects.
  3. The newsletter created a safe space for discussing body liberation, anti-fat bias, and building a supportive community.

I Was Fired for Supporting Women’s Sex-Based Rights. Now I’m Suing.

Reality's Last Stand • 3066 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Feminism Discrimination Gender identity
  1. Women's rights are in jeopardy when the ability to name ourselves and our sex-based rights is taken away.
  2. It is important to fight against discrimination and silencing of women in the workplace.
  3. Advocating for sex-based rights and standing up for one's beliefs is crucial for maintaining equality and basic human rights.