The Most \m/ Links of the Week

Here’s a round up of stories (some older, some newer) that rock!

• WHAT DO HARDCORE, FERGUSON, AND THE “ANGRY BLACK WOMAN” TROPE ALL HAVE IN COMMON? BY: KAYLA PHILLIPS

“Solidarity is awareness, and the ability to listen if you say you’re going to. It’s standing beside me or behind me, not in front of me.”

• FEEL THE FIRE- BLACK WOMEN ARE NOT TOO HARD TO LOVE BY: FIRE ANGELOU

“Black women’s existence is rebellion. Our smiles are protest. When we live so can another generation.”

• WAIT, ARE RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE COUNTING DOWN TO A REUNION?

#TakeThePowerBack

• SMASHING THROUGH THE BOUNDARIES: HEAVY METAL’S RACISM AND SEXISM PROBLEM—AND HOW IT CAN CHANGE BY: BETH WINEGARNER

“If metal contains so many pockets of racism and sexism, why are women and people of color drawn to it? For exactly the same reasons as the white guys: It makes them feel good.”

• THE LIFE AND LIBERATION OF A BLACK FEMALE METAL FAN FEATURING: LAINA DAWES 

“I knew that they wouldn’t understand, and that really caused a lot of depression for me as a kid because I really didn’t feel like I had anyone to talk to about it.”

Wow. Am I right?

Women and (some men too) continue to challenge preconceived notions about race and gender. Their contributions to music and storytelling are hard to ignore and I for one am fully appreciative.

-Denise Nichole Andrews