The Brown Girls Do It Newsletter #1
We're in lockdown, but don't worry, we're still putting out content, asking you guys how we can support our communities during this difficult time and recommending some great content.
Hey everyone!
First off, thanks so much for subscribing to our newsletter! We’ve been thinking of doing something like this for a while, and life under lockdown rules in the UK has finally given us the kick up the arse we needed. We hope you’re all looking after yourselves and your loved ones, and staying as safe and as well as possible.
We’re both incredibly lucky to be working from home at the moment, whether that’s holding down a 9-5 job (Alicia) or completing a Fellowship at the House of Lords Library remotely (Iqra). So, we know we’re in privileged positions right now, unlike a lot of people of colour in the UK and across the world.
If this pandemic had happened a couple of years ago when we first started putting in the time for the podcast, we’d both have either been in precarious work or working in a supermarket, and it’s only sheer chance that allows us to write to you from the comfort and safety of our homes.
To that end, we want to make sure we’re using our platform and resources to help where we can. If there’s a campaign or a fundraiser you want us to share, or resources you’d like to share with our community of fans and listeners, drop us an email at: browngirlsdoit@gmail.com.
Brown Girls Do It Recommends…
If you’ve got some time on your hands during lockdown, and you’d like some ideas of what to read, watch, or listen to, you’re in luck, because we have some stellar recommendations for you!
Brown Girls Do Books
“I’ve been obsessed with reading (and in some cases) re-reading the volumes of Maya Angelou’s autobiography. It’s seven volumes long, and I’ve been collecting them haphazardly from charity shops for the past year. She’s got such a gorgeous, evocative way of writing and it’s easy to get lost in her world. When I need an escape, I spend my time following a young Maya Angelou around, in awe of her. I’m reading the third volume, Singin’ and Swingin’ and Getting Merry Like Christmas right now, it’s about her time as a nightclub singer and performer and I love it.”
Iqra
“When I got the audiobook for Queenie I spent the whole weekend listening to it. I was so engrossed in the story Candice Carty-Williams created in her debut novel. Queenie is a young black woman trying her best to deal with life and love, something I could relate to even though I did spent a lot of the book questioning her actions and mentally shouting at her. It was like watching your friend continuously make bad decisions, while wishing she would just take your advice. She is flawed, she is funny, she is complex and she is just trying to navigate her mess. By the time I finished, I was glad to have taken the journey with her.” (CW for Queenie: Sexual Violence, Assault and Harassment)
Alicia
Brown Girls Do TV
“I don’t really have the attention span for TV series at the moment, but the short limited series Unorthodox on Netflix had me completely hooked. There were so many parallels I could see between Esty’s experiences and my own, having grown up in a fairly conservative Muslim community, and feeling that weight of everyone’s expectations was something I could relate to.
Also - I am RELISHING the fact that Studio Ghibli films are now available on Netflix too. I’ve not watched many, but loved each one I have seen. I’ve just watched Ponyo, and I’ll be settling down with Howl’s Moving Castle soon (subtitles, not the English dub, it’s part of the magic!).”
Iqra
“At the moment, I can only really handle documentaries that are about happy things so I watched one about music: Hip-Hop Evolution on Netflix. I really enjoy the insight and context the show provides to music that has played a big part in my life, coming straight from the people who lived it. From understanding how Hip-Hop began and the people who started and contributed to the movement, to seeing how it has developed over time and gave birth to legends like OutKast, Queen Latifah and Jay Z. I’ve always been a lover of history and shows like this are my favourite kind of history lesson.
I also LOVE watching animated shows, I find them really calming so if you haven’t watched it already I really do recommend Tuca & Bertie created by the people behind Bojack Horseman (also an excellent show). Both shows are funny, easy to watch, a bit dark in the best way and on Netflix so are highly bingable.”
Alicia
Brown Girls Do Music and Podcasts
“Something I cannot stop recommending to literally anyone and everyone I have any kind of contact with is Riz Ahmed’s concept album The Long Goodbye. On one level, it’s about a relationship turned sour; on another, it’s about post-Brexit Britain and the way we, as the descendents of immigrants in the UK, are viewed by white folks. And on another level, it’s about the fucked-up way we refuse to recognise the trauma from our colonial past. Listen to it, please. You won’t regret it. Also - who knew that we needed a collab between Riz and Jay Sean until now?
On the podcast front, I’m loving Queery with Cameron Esposito. She’s a fantastic host and I wish all white people were like her. No, I won’t take that back. She has some deep and amazing conversations with Queer people of colour, including Roxane Gay, Saeed Jones and Blair Imani, and if you haven’t subscribed already, you should do.”
Iqra
“Since I’ve been working from home I decided that I needed a playlist to wake up to in the mornings and put myself in a good mood. Songs that I can dance around my room to or sing along with while I’m setting myself up for the day, as my friends know I’m pretty partial to a solo dance party.
It’s a bit of a mix of everything but I thought I’d share some of my favourites here:
Boss Bitch by Doja Cat
Just The Two Of Us / Lovely Day by Bill Withers
Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean (I literally dare you to not dance, the 80’s beast is strong with this one)
Wish I Didn’t Miss You by Angie Stone
Show Me What You Got by Jay Z”
Alicia
Brown Girls Do It Episode Update!
We have a new episode out! No mention of the current situation, because we recorded it in simpler and happier times, but what we do talk about is: the origins of race science in the UK; why the British Museum is a symbol of the power inequalities that allowed race science to flourish in the UK; and how Angela Saini, the journalist who wrote the amazing Superior: The Return of Race Science, is dealing with all the racist backlash.
You can check the episode out here:
...or wherever you get your podcasts! We’re on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, PodBean, all the usual places.
Make sure you like or follow us on all the socials (just search @browngirlsdoit and you’ll find us) and tell all your friends about this newsletter!
Also, wash your damn hands.
All our love,
Alicia & Iqra
Love your first post ladies! Keep it coming