The Brown Girls Do It Newsletter #3
This week, we're reflecting on our feelings about lockdown, talking about the brand new Kids of Colour Bookshelf and recommending some great reads.
Hey everyone!
We’re still living under lockdown here in the UK, and trying to stick to some semblance of a routine. We may or may not have realised it was Wednesday a little too late to get this out on time, sorry! But what is time right now anyway? Really, when you think about it?
As we’re 5 and a half weeks into lockdown, we’ve both hit a bit of a wall in terms of productivity, both in our work lives and with some of the creative things we’ve been doing too. And that’s OK. It’s completely normal to feel anxious, restless and to be unproductive. We’re living through an unprecedented global crisis, in one of the worst-hit countries, and there’s no right way to react to this. Having said that, we will try and release some new podcast content for you soon.
We want to wish all our Muslim readers and followers Ramadan Mubarak/Ramadan Kareem (whichever you prefer). Iqra is more or less nocturnal right now and constantly whining about how she misses caffeine, so solidarity to anyone feeling the same way, and we both hope you have a chance to get something spiritually out of this holy month!
One of the positive things that we’re clinging to now is that the podcast is being listened to in all sorts of places we’d never thought we’d reach, so a little shout out to the folks listening to Brown Girls Do It this week in Pakistan, Finland, Thailand and Egypt this week!
Last week, we highlighted the amazing local project Kids of Colour, and we’ve got a little update on a new resource they’re offering! If you have anything, be it a campaign or a charity you’d like us to share next week, drop us an email at: browngirlsdoit@gmail.com.
Brown Girls Spotlights…Kids of Colour (Again!)
Kids of Colour is an amazing Manchester-based project supporting young people of colour exploring race, identity and culture, and challenging the everyday, institutionalised racism that shapes their lives. We spotlighted some of the amazing things they’re doing at the moment in last week’s newsletter, so do check that out.
The project has launched the Kids of Colour Bookshelf this past week, and we just had to share it with you, so be sure to support or make use of it if you can!
Find Kids of Colour on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@kidsofcolourhq) and at http://kidsofcolour.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
“Burgerz by Travis Alabanza is great. It was written after someone called them a transphobic slur and threw a burger at them in broad daylight, Travis wrote this play that explores trans and gender non-conforming people’s experiences and the violence they face. It is a thought-provoking play, exploring complex issues in an accessible way.”
Alicia
“An American Marriage has been on my to-read list forever. The hype has been constant, it was a pick for Oprah’s book club and everyone I know who’s read it has raved about it. Now that I’ve joined a virtual book club, I finally bit the bullet and read it, and honestly, I wonder what took me so long.
Tayari Jones has such a fantastic way of writing about the darker elements of romantic relationships, and what we often feel entitled to in those relationships, and this story about a young couple whose marriage is put under strain when he is wrongfully incarcerated is just so well done. You just never know what she’s going to do next and I couldn’t put it down.”
Iqra
Brown Girls Do TV & Film
“This week, it’s my turn to rewatch a film that I love for comfort reasons. I adore a well-done romcom, and Netflix’s Set It Up has a great story, as two young put-upon assistants set up their bosses so that they can have their lives back and hilarity ensues. Lucy Liu is amazing in this, and she’s the reason why this movie has become a go-to for me when I don’t feel like watching something new.”
Iqra
“If you enjoyed Get Out but haven’t seen US, I highly recommend you watch it before Candy Man (directed by Nia DaCosta and produced by Jordan Peele) is released. US is a horror/thriller film, Jordan Peele’s directorial follow-up to Get Out and he doesn’t miss. This film really grips you from beginning to end with an amazing performance from Lupita Nyong’o. I really enjoyed this film and I’m not usually a huge fan of horrors.”
Alicia
Brown Girls Do Music and Podcasts
“It’s been a weird week, I think quarantine fatigue is setting in so here are a few songs I’ve been playing/singing along to get by:
Solange - Cranes in the Sky
Mary Lambert - She Keeps Me Warm
India Arie - Get It Together
NAO - In the Morning
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - If This World Were Mine”
Alicia
“If you need some comedy relief, look no further than this ridiculous comedy podcast by Nicole Byer. Nicole is super open about her experiences trying to find a romantic partner as a fat black woman, and there are some fantastic conversations about dating in the digital world. There’s a huge back catalogue to get stuck into, and some amazing guests. This podcast never fails to cheer me up.”
Iqra
Brown Girls Do It Episode Update!
Have you listened to the latest episode? We talk about 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! Stay safe!
All our love,
Alicia & Iqra