Art & about Cape Town

I just watched Beauty and the Beast and it got me thinking about the link between feminism and fairy-tale princesses. Belle is a book-wielding, beast-taming feminist without a doubt, but where do the other princesses from the Disney canon stand on the feminist scale? Mulan and Merida are somewhere in the top echelon with their cross-dressing, crossbow shooting stunts while Cinderella and Aurora are feminist cop-outs. It’s encouraging to see more and more Disney princesses move from damsel in distress to dame that don’t give a damn, showing kids everywhere that girls can be kick ass too. So, I present to you my definitive list of Disney princesses ranked according to their feminist credentials. Extra points for minority maidens such as princesses of colour, LGBT ladies (Elsa I’m looking at you) and red heads. 1. Mulan Mulan doesn’t need a man to save her. In fact, she saves the man and China, too! 2. Tiana Tiana is unique in that she has a real job, even after...

The London-based Kenya-born Somalia-raised poet Warsan Shire first wowed the world when excerpts of her work were used on Beyoncé’s iconic Lemonade. Her poetry is like the refreshing yellow drink but laced with Vodka - bittersweet and packing a punch. It is a poignant reflection on modern womanhood and first generation belonging delivered in her distinctive style- part rallying war cry, part vivid evocation. Mainstream feminism has a need to embrace intersectionality. So, I propose Ms. Shire as a voice of a new generation of women who know that vulnerability and fearlessness are like music and lyrics- they belong together. Her latest contribution, Your Family, Your Body is available on Amazon now.