A week of 'wicked women'

A snapshot of insights into cultural resistance.

What’s on my mind?

This week, I’ve been thinking about women— specifically, historically ‘hysterical’ women.

With the (unfathomable) Trump win recently, the cultural undercurrent seems to rumble globally. It feels reminiscent of women’s histories that we often have amnesia about: from The Salem witch trials to ‘hysteria’ diagnoses, we are reminded that even in the most ‘free worlds,’ rights like elective abortion have often existed for less time than my lifespan. In fact, a friend recently pointed out that women today have been born into a small loophole of history where equality feels closer to a right than it ever has. How sobering?

So, this week’s post is inspired by the pockets of past and current feminist rebellion I see - big and small.

And all the while, the Angela Davis mantra rings truer than ever:

‘Freedom (really) is a constant struggle.’

Things I see

1. Lucy Huxley: a rise in the articulation of sex work

   Amidst the never-ending debate over women’s body rights, my algorithm has thankfully counteracted conservatives, delivering me accounts like Lucy Huxley’s instead. As a Berlin-based sex worker, she is breaking taboos with dignity and precision. From tax compliance to her boyfriend’s pov, she lays bare the realities of sex work, articulating exactly how the oldest profession in the world is much like any other 9-5. Takeaway? Go broad with the algorithm. Actively seeking out perspectives outside of my usual context allows me to see wins where I was not looking.

2. Ahoo Daryaei: wearing only courage

   Iranian student Ahoo Daryaei made waves by stripping bare at the Islamic University in Tehran earlier this month. She was labeled unstable and detained in an asylum for three weeks. An Iranian colleague told me the only reason Ahoo has survived this ordeal is because the world was watching. Take away? The worlds needs to keep watching; small wins in privileged countries may mean lives saved on the other end of the world.

   

   Ahoo Daryaei at the Islamic University in Tehran

3. #WomenInMaleFields trend: humour is powerful

   On a far lighter note, the #womeninmalefields trend has sparked both knowing giggles and debates about whether it is toxic. In my humble opinion, I think humour and satire are powerful political tools. A prime example is South Africa: It is rich in cultural and collective humour post Apartheid - fueled by iconic satirical cartoon work like Zapiro or comedians like Trevor Noah. Take away? Humour heals and connects people - and struggles are only won through the mobilisation of the collective.

4. The rise of Chappell Roan + and the ‘less perfect’

   I recently read the latest Culture Next trend report from Spotify and loved their take on why artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter skyrocketed popularity by 11082% in just 13 months:

   Speaking of Chappell Roan, who is credited as a leader in the current “lesbian pop renaissance…” Brat Summer took 2024 by storm as young women abandoned the polished, femme, clean-girl aesthetic of pop’s past in favour of messy, chaotic party-girl vibes and blending genres from Country and Dance. It’s an evolution of Zs’ antihustle pro languishing culture, which stands in stark contrast to girl-boss hustle culture that Millennials brought to popularity.

   Take away? All roads point to less perfect, more done. This applies to everything.

5. Joni Mitchell and The Magdalene Laundries

   I watched a short documentary clip on the writing process Joni went through in writing ‘The Magdalene Laundries’. A sentence for ‘fallen women’, the catholic church in Ireland allegedly tortured and killed women who would not (or could not) conform. Take away? Joni was praised for ‘writing about it in broad daylight’. Art that matters takes brawn indeed.

6. Mysticism and Midnight Margaritas

   I have always believed in magic in one way or another; no eyelash goes wasted and I even made a love potion inspired by Practical Magic at age eight - and married the guy I wished for (true story for another day). But until recently, this has been the extent of my ‘woo-woo-ness’. However, I recently (and fairly reluctantly) downloaded Co-star and to my surprise found that many of my existing network are Libra Lawyers or Cancerian Capitalists. This realisation made me pay attention to how much growing interest there is in this space (even if discreetly). From #witchtok, to the Practical Magic sequel planned after a 30 year hiatus - there is definitely a sharp divergence from millennial cynicism to mainstream mysticism… and I can’t say that I am upset about it. Take away? There will always be a return to the indescribable, when we cannot make logical sense of the world around us. Witches are (back) in. I suspect a resurgence in religious practice will may come along too? Time for midnight margaritas.

Things I am carrying with me this week

1. Be LESS of an onlooker

   I visited the Kandinsky exhibition at the H’Art museum a few weeks back and I was struck by his earlier work called, The Onlookers (Die Zuschauer). Not in his signature style in 1903/04, but definitely evoking a familiar feeling as we wait idle for the impending something to emerge.

   

   The Onlookers/Die Zuschauer (1903 -1904)

2. Be MORE of a ‘Funny Girl’

   My song on repeat this past week: Don’t rain on my parade.

   Take away? Inspired by the very rebellious women around me, don’t take no for an answer.

   Don't tell me not to live
   Just sit and putter
   Life's candy and the sun's
   A ball of butter
   Don't bring around a cloud
   To rain on my parade

3. We can all embody more Lupita as we stroll through life

   Lupita Nyong’o was on ‘What Now?’ recently and I could not help thinking that the woman screams goals to me. She is unapologetic yet kind, fierce yet poised, direct yet narrative. She presented a series of dualities throughout the interview and it resonated loudly. Take away? It is okay to be many things and have many identities as long as you have strong values. Strife generates focus - so use your strife and become hyper focused on what is in your control.

   ‘[Also] never default is not to feel unwelcome, [always] default is to seek welcome.’

4. Lastly, and in the wise words of Alanis Morissette, the only way out is through.

   I drew a very rough sketch inspired by Kandinsky’s Opus. I call it The Queen in the Vortex. It’s as hopeful or bleak as your state of mind. When I drew it, she was being sucked in. Today, she’s emerging out - a woman in a straightjacket and muzzle, carrying flowers. Takeaway? Women (and all minorities) embody resilience in all its forms - sometimes they are coming, sometimes they are going but they are always moving through.

If there is a thread connecting the dots this week

1. Rebellion can look big or small - whether it’s Ahoo Daryaei risking everything under a watchful world, Lucy Huxley redefining taboos with clarity, or the growing embrace of mysticism and imperfection as acts of self-expression.

2. Freedom is not handed down; it will be fought for, laughed through, and sometimes even conjured into existence with midnight margaritas.

3. Change, like hope, can be found everywhere. All we can do is keep moving through with peeled eyes and open minds. What is inspiring hope for you today?

XxM