Comics Review #4: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

11/01/201613/01/2016 culturetasticLeave a comment

Title: Nimona
Written and Illustrasted by: Noelle Stevenson
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2015

You want a graphic novel with a female protagonist, people of color and LGBTQ representation? You want humor, action, fantasy and science-fiction?

Look no further. I have just the book for you!

Femme Friday #4: Hiratsuka Raichô (part 3)

08/11/201425/01/2016 culturetasticLeave a comment

Hiratsuka Raichô in old age (source: Hiroko Tomida: *Hiratsuka Raichô and Early Japanese Feminism*, 2004)

This is the third and last part of my essay about Hiratsuka Raichô, an early Japanese feminist. You can find part one here and part two here.

Femme Friday #3: Hiratsuka Raichô (part 2)

31/10/201425/01/2016 culturetastic1 Comment

Last time, I introduced you to Hiratsuka Raichô, a leading figure in early Japanese feminism, focusing on her biographical background (read here). In this second part, I will talk about the literary society Seitôsha (Bluestocking Society) which was founded by Hiratsuka, and the two scandals which raised awareness of “New Women” in Japan and led to a wave of publications about women.

Hiratsuka and the Seitôsha (source: Hiroko Tomida: *Hiratsuka Raichô and Early Japanese Feminism*, 2004)

Little (feminist) things that make me happy

27/10/2014 culturetastic2 Comments

It seems that Emma Watson’s HeForShe campaign speech reached quite a few people, not only her fans but also colleagues in the film business. When I looked through my Twitter feed this morning, I stumbled upon this post, and it made me smile:

Now THIS is what a feminist looks like #ellefeminism #BenedictCumberbatch http://t.co/yEEt05Fd0I pic.twitter.com/2mjibOXT3n

— ELLEUK (@ELLEUK) 27. Oktober 2014

I’m a huge fan of Benedict Cumberbatch, so seeing him wearing this t-shirt and declaring himself a feminist made me very, very happy.

Earlier, in search of above mentioned tweet, I also found this gem:

Thank you Joseph Gordon-Levitt @hitRECordJoe for being a proud feminist too! #ELLEfeminism http://t.co/yEEt05Fd0I pic.twitter.com/ImMhntKCmm

— ELLEUK (@ELLEUK) 27. Oktober 2014

Joseph Gordon-Levitt declared on several occasions that he is a feminist. So seeing him wearing this t-shirt while not surprising was still very welcome. Anyway, kudos to Elle magazine for their #ELLEfeminism campaign. Really nice!

Femme Friday #2: Hiratsuka Raichô (part 1)

10/10/201425/01/2016 culturetastic2 Comments

In the first edition of Femme Friday, I spoke about Emma Watson’s UN speech on feminism, gender equality and her HeForShe campaign (click here to read it). This time, I’d like to take you back to 20th century Japan and introduce you to Hiratsuka Raichô (1886-1971), a woman who had a major role in the establishment of early Japanese feminism. As this essay originally had over 2000 words, I decided to split it in two and post it accordingly. This first part will concentrate on Hiratsuka’s biography, the next part will deal with the Seitôsha, a literary society that was founded by Hiratsuka. Enjoy reading 🙂