How the Slumflower and Florence Given Debate Exposes the Issue of Commodifying Instagram Feminism
Writer, activist, and blogger Chidera Eggerue, better known by her alias the Slumflower, has become embroiled in a social media dispute with fellow feminist, Instagram influencer, and illustrator, Florence Given, following Slumflower’s claims that Given has copied and profited from Slumflower’s feminist writings. The argument exposes the racialised issues which stem from the commodification of Instagram ‘pop-feminism’.
American Murder: The Family Next Door: Why the Documentary Presents a Problematic Depiction of Domestic Violence
American Murder: The Family Next Door is a Netflix Original that documents the Colorado murders of pregnant Shanann Watts and her two young daughters, committed by husband Chris Watts in 2018. The documentary follows the trajectory of the murders, beginning at the disappearance of Shanann and the children and ending at the sentencing of Chris for life imprisonment.
Review: James Blake – Before EP
Over the years, British singer-songwriter James Blake’s oeuvre has become distinctly eclectic. But it’s in his new EP Before where the 32-year-old London-born producer forges his most original musical intervention yet. Blake takes full ownership of his music in the dazzling EP, and something tells us he won’t be returning to his former signature down-tempo and melancholic sound.
Jamaica Kincaid: An Insight Into the Captivating Works of a Caribbean Writer
A predominant thread running through much of the literature of Jamaica Kincaid – an Antiguan-American novelist, essayist and poet – is her vivid exploration of feelings of admiration and longing for the richness and vibrancy of her Caribbean homeland, alongside powerful expressions of anger and resentment.
How Should the Music Industry Hold Alleged Abusers Like Octavian Accountable?
Black Butter records have dropped French-British musician Octavian from their label due to allegations of domestic abuse against the rapper. Octavian has since denied the accusations.
Why have we returned to reading this year?
Like many businesses in the creative sector, the publishing industry prepared itself for a tsunami wave of financial repercussions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Recent trade reports from Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury, however, provide a starkly different reality, with print sales rising by 9%. So, just why have we returned to indulging in the simple pleasures of reading throughout lockdown?
REVIEW: Gurls Talk – Race, Belonging and Literature
In series two of the Gurls Talk podcast, host Adwoa Aboah spoke to author Bernadine Evaristo about her award-winning novel Girl, Woman, Other and her struggles with racial identity as a young woman.
Love Island: Why increasing racial diversity does not provide the ultimate answer to ending racial prejudices in the show
The latest Winter edition of ITV2’s ‘Love Island’ came under fire for its lack of racial diversity before the new line-up was even announced. But Love Island producers need to do much more than increasing racial diversity in the show to address rampant inequalities.
