Thursday Murmurings
Britney, sexism and respecting Jackie Collins
Image - Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
Happy Thursday my loves!
Kicking it off this week by hailing Queen Britney. You’ve undoubtedly heard by now that last week, she read a statement in court, speaking out against the conservatorship that has been in place, controlling seemingly every aspect of her life for the past 13 years. Here is her statement in full. It honestly sounds hellish. The strength of will to live through something like this and the courage to speak out about it, when it literally feels like you against the world - I can do nothing but applaud.
The most disturbing part for me (and there are many) is that those around her won’t let her go to the doctor to get her IUD removed so she can have more children. What in the Handmaid’s Tale is that shit?!
I sincerely hope her courage to speak out is rewarded with this ridiculous conservatorship being lifted and her just being able to live the life she wants to live. Lord knows she deserves it.
Things that caught my eye this week:
The World Health Organisation has said that the focus of alcohol prevention should be women of childbearing age because of the damage alcohol can do to a fetus. Even a fetus that doesn’t exist yet, apparently. Even a fetus you weren’t even thinking about because maybe you don’t even want kids, but hey ho. Don’t let those small details bother you. Don’t mind me, just off to go bang my head against a wall…
Some schools in the UK have advised girls to wear ‘modesty shorts’ under the skirts to protect them from sexual harassment. Unsurprisingly no mention of educating boys to not be misogynistic pricks who sexually harass women their whole lives. Excuse me, just off to bang my head against that wall again…
I really enjoyed this interview with Jessamyn Stanley, an absolute powerhouse in the fitness community. I love the way she links yoga to social issues and I’ll definitely be buying a copy of her new book.
In light of Britney’s court appearance last week, one woman shares her experience of having her sanity questioned. An important and insightful read.
In Monday’s edition of The Murmuration, I’m speaking to a woman who is currently going through fertility issues and lemme tell ya, it is quite an education.
“Honestly, for all I know, it could be entirely my husband’s fault, his body. I can say that out loud and I can process it, but it doesn’t register and I don’t think it ever will, because it’s just how we’re taught to think. Despite it logically being a partner effort, the fact that your body can’t do this thing that theoretically, it was designed to do is just…it makes me feel like a failure. And it’s really shitty, because how can something I have absolutely no control over feel that way? But it does.”
I learned so much in having this conversation. Honestly, whether you want children or not, we all need to be aware of the science, the stats and the realities of what planning a family looks like, especially when you’re over 30. I highly, highly encourage you to get involved in this conversation. So if you’re not subscribed to the paid edition of The Murmuration, now’s the time to do it. It’s $5 per month or $50 for the year.
This week, Biggie and I took a quick break from playing tug of war to discuss world events. He raised some excellent points and remains the goodest of good boys.
Until next week, smile at strangers, spread good vibes, be nice to people.