I've just been to a debate on the "Future of Feminism" that makes me truly think that the future of feminism is fucked if it's left in the hands of these "sisters". Not only were the panel patronising, they didn't answer the questions from the audience. They also intimidated other members whilst talking about patriarchy and how we have to bond together in a "sisterhood" and stop judging each other. In the words of my wonderful feminist mother "If you are against the patriarchy then stop patronising my daughter". 

When I asked a pretty legitimate question about the fact that the furthering of the feminism is more about empowering women from the ground up rather than having theoretical debates between like minded people about how we can further equality for everyone; I was met with defensiveness and talk of outreach programmes. The panel were very happy to talk about getting involved with the community to further the "feminist movement" but nothing about actual real women and what it can do for them. Nothing about young women which I specifically mentioned. And don't even get me started on Finn Mackay's response.

Other audience members asked questions which were repeatedly not answered or brushed over into areas the panel felt more comfortable talking in. There were interesting points raised about the role of black feminism as a separate entity within feminism as Chitra Nagarajan from Southall Black Sisters was on the panel. There was also a comment from Finn Mackay to the effect of "In the media feminists are painted as hairy, man hating idealists, like that's a bad thing" which was met with laughter. BUT IT IS A BAD THING. That's the reason young women do not want to identify themselves as feminists. That's why the girl in the audience who'd prompted this reply was being taken to an employment tribunal after making a sexual harassment accusation on the basis that she was an outspoken feminist and didn't know whether to identify herself as such in court.

She was also told to walk into court and tell them "to fuck off" by an American woman who had already read a piece from Sian Norris' book that was straight out of the handbook of bad 70s feminism. This is support. This is "sisterhood".

This same woman had grabbed the microphone to tirade a girl on the other side of my mum who had wanted to ask a VERY RELEVENT question about the medias perception of feminists. Offhandedly she had asked why writing about feminism is still seen as something to tiptoe around & apologise for, unlike racism or homophobia. But the high & mighty couldn't let it slide & answer the pressing question about perception of feminists, they decided to barrage her with complaints about how people are still racist & homophobic. Huh! Really? They patronised her to the point my mum was sat between two young girls shaking with anger at being scrutinised for wanting to move the idea of feminism & the moment forward. Into the future. The point of the whole debate.

No wonder young women do not identify with the idea of feminism if it is still purely a debate for academics. When the idea of patriarchy is still introduced. When we are told to "say the word feminism everyday". When those on the "feminist scene" are too closed to talking about feminism with anyone who doesn't identify with "sisterhoods" & "women only spaces". I am one of those young women & I can tell you for sure that I have said the word feminism to more people in my short 20 year lifetime outside of the world of "feminism" than any of them. I have debated what it means to be feminist with teenage boys raised on pornography & Lil Wayne. & I don't fucking care about pornography & I fucking listen to Lil Wayne.

If you preach non judgement on other women then do not belittle me because I oppose your arguments & can back them up. Do not set up a debate of the future of feminism and only talk about ideas of feminism that have been irrelevant for decades. We need it more that ever & they're taking it & turning it into something cliched & undebatable. So fuck it. Maybe I'm not a feminist. Maybe I'm an equalist. Because if the debate of feminism has been hijacked by these people then I do not identify it & I'll move onto a different debate. That of equality for all. Because that was meant to be the message all along.

This is my "scary" purple lipstick. Inspired by a very lovely woman who came into work the other week wearing purple lipstick and a lovely fluffy green jumper. Plus I keep meaning to wear these sunglasses instead of my normal ones, how insane & 90s & childish are they? I love that they make my face look really long in an odd way. But this was yesterday when it was sunny & lovely & now, well, it's raining again.

You guys should all read this blog post by Alexandra Therese. She's a brilliant writer & I have a sneaking suspicion a very lovely person too.

How was your weekend?

In honour of the first day without rain for like 3 weeks here's a pretty summery outfit. I admit after these morning photos I put on some tights & a coat before I went out. Although I did laugh hysterically when the bf said I looked like a fucked up cheerleader. Bring It On did used to be one of my favourite films (still is) *ahem*. Anyway, not gonna talk about the skirt, why I waited till now to blog it!

Been dealing with a lot of crazy people at work lately. Like more than usual. A guy on Wednesday just spouted complete nonsense at me about studios and ice cream, who knows. Then today this little stooped old lady came in & asked for a Crossword book she'd had us order for the third time. She looked up three answers and then said she didn't want it. Is it wrong of me to have a go at her & then hold the door open? I don't think so, being old doesn't mean you can get away with shit like that. Ah man, bookshops hey.

So being a recent convert to River Island, I popped in on my way through town the other day & after navigating through the polyester & badly printed leggings I left. Only to be captured by the mens display in the window. So I went back in upstairs & found a whole rack of awesomely printed polo shirts. I've been sort of half heartedly looking for a polo shirt for a while & these printed ones are pretty sweet. I almost bought the motel one but then realised it bore a resemblance to my car printed shirt & didn't. When I went back to look online I also found a whole load of lovely printed shirts too. £28 is a lot for one shirt but...maybe they'll get put in the sale? Find the polo shirts here & the shirts here.

Oh & thanks for the nice comments about my clothes rail/wardrobe. I thought it would be nice to have some colour behind me! Haha. Also it is like the best thing to wake up to every morning. I think everything should be colour ordered, right?

Dude, this sounds

like an advert.

I couldn't resist the cheesy last shot, matching your nails to your lipstick = radness. I realise one of the last posts I did was with this shirt but hey ho, I am a human being who wears the same clothes more than once. Plus this is the most bad ass way I've found to wear it. I love disco pants, have I said that before? I had to buy a new pair of black ones because I wore the first pair so much (about once a week at least, like jeans basically) the elastic was starting to go all funny. Here I am thinking I'm half way to having all the colours & they go & release 2 more. Damn them! 

So, yes, I disappeared. So unlike me right? Not really... Basically I was really fucking down & depressed (not a great blogging mood) & then last week I was in Crete with my dad. It was well nice & although we sort of ran out of stuff to say to each other, it gave me a better perspective so I was waaay happier when I came home. If that makes sense. So for a quick update let us turn to the almighty bullet pointed list:

• Having discovered how much I love wearing lipstick I possibly went a step too far with dark purple which caused my mum to raise her eyebrows & say "scary"
• Voted yes to a Mayor in Bristol & so glad we won! Awesomeness, just hope people vote for the Labour candidate, unlike *ahem* (in style of Hunger Games) The Capital
• Put together an Ikea sofa & bought my very own TV, who knew they were so expensive? So now when I finally move out all I will have is a 32" telly & my clothes, totally mature.
• Been interviewed twice for peoples PHDs. Once about "Fashion Blogging" & once about making data public, sort of thing.
• Have become addicted to listening to the Drake song Marvins Room / Buried Alive Interlude on repeat as I fall asleep.
• Saw two amazing films at The Watershed, Damsels in Distress & Marley. Go & see them. Serious. They'll make your life better.
• Read El Narco & found out loads about the history of the drug trade that was fascinating.
• Went to the dentist, eek. Have three weeks of Monday appointments in July to look forward too. So much for getting them to knock me out.

That's enough I think. So how the hell have you been?

Although I have well and truly picked up the handbook and jumped on the bandwagon with the whole nail art thing, I actually quite like doing it on my trimmed, scuffed up nails instead of on fake massively long ones. Cat laughed at me trying to squeeze designs on when I have half the room and paint my own right hand, but screw it, looking down at some crazy ass pattern makes me smile sometimes. Everyone should try it!

Boring ASOS dress that is nice & was in the sale. After naughtily ordering about £100 worth of stuff that I knew I wouldn't want all of, I sent back half and got two dresses for like £30, sweet! This is cotton & meant to be the "easy floral dress" that's been missing from my life, it's a little too short to be easy (thanks tallness, again) but with tights in this now & hot pants when it warms up I think it'll be cool. And I love the sleeves. Even though they cover up my lovely tattoos rather strategically...