The Australian National University's intersectional feminist magazine.
Every individual has their own aesthetic, and this dictates the aura or environment that they try to cultivate around themselves. Yet, there seems to be a ‘mini-aesthetics’ movement developing and taking social media by storm.
Racial fetishisation is covert sexualised racism.
Reconciling these histories with my own existence here in Australia is surreal. I suppose it’s the jarring feeling of real people being delegated to some overarching label; of complex societies and cultures being summarised in a term; of a set of conflicts defined to a time period.
In the English language, we subconsciously place our words in a particular order; articles follow adjectives, with nouns close behind. Perhaps in an example of life imitating art, we order our intersectionality in a manner that mirrors the structure of the English language.
On one hand, the overuse of the female body as an object of spectacle objectifies, sexualises, and reinforces dangerous notions of female passivity. On the other, the raw, undeniable beauty of the female form ought to be celebrated, and makes for some breathtaking art. Is it, then, simply too lovely to censor?
The historical narratives that we are typically fed in educational and mainstream spaces often prioritise white history and white culture. Where is the ‘other’ side of history?
“Whilst scholarships within educational institutions have existed for over nearly 50 years, there is still an overwhelming feeling that these programs are often ignorant to the Indigenous experience and leave behind those unable to ‘adapt’.” An interview about the intricacies of scholarships offered to First Nations people, featuring Teela Reid.
“In a miraculous display of generosity, white cinema-goers are single-handedly combating the prevalence of racism.”
“The names Gentileschi, Nelli, Hoch, Schendel, Hanworth and Frankenthaler remain unfamiliar to most — and googling ‘women artists in history’ presents results almost entirely about ‘the one’s history forgot’.”
“The first step to changing the way beauty is perceived in society is to embrace beauty in all colours and appreciate the different forms of beauty that women of colour offer.”