The "Life of Kai" Blog

I agree that this is really frustrating because, whilst money may not save you from some things, it can definitely afford comfort most others don’t have. It’s not the same thing to be isolating in a small house with limited money/supplies and isolating in a mansion with millions at your disposal and plenty of entertainment at home.

Please do not ever use environmentalism as an excuse for ecofascist/eugenicist rhetoric.

The solution to climate change - and all other environmental issues - should not, has not, and will not ever involve the mass deaths of some of the world's most marginalised and vulnerable people.

And "we", as a species, are not a "virus". We are not all equally responsible for the destruction of the planet.

By labelling the human species as a "virus" and using ecofascist rhetoric, you are putting those who are starving in third-world countries, who are already suffering and dying in climate-related disasters, on the same level as those who have caused the climate crisis.

If you view the coronavirus, or any other global crisis which causes unnecessary human deaths and suffering, as a "solution" to environmental issues, then you are not welcome in the environmentalist movement.

In a global crisis - be it a pandemic, a climate emergency, whatever - the last thing we need is more hate and more labelling. What we need is togetherness, compassion, and care for each other. Every human being on this planet is on it together, and we will get through these crises not by hating each other, or by hating our own species, but by looking out for each other.

A general strike? On April 20th, 2020? To make an aid plan that would be permanent? To make healthcare a right? That’d be crazy to have happen on April 20th. Absolutely crazy for a general strike on April 20th. Nothing is going to happen on April 20th, 2020 in the form of a general strike. Nope, not on April 20th, 2020. 

17/03/20

Let’s Have a Serious Talk About “Strong Female Characters”

That, right there, folks, is why we need to stop using the term “strong female characters.”

Problems with “Strong Female Characters”

1)  “Strong” Has No Definition

Originally, “strong female character” referred to female characters who had more going on than being damsels in distress or love interests, but over time, the term evolved and distorted and now means something different to everyone. Some people think it means physical strength, some think it means mental strength/emotional strength, some think it means intellect, some think it means power or skills… but you can make your female character any or all of those things and still not create a solid character.

2) There Are No “Strong Male Characters”

People never worry about writing strong male characters. Males are typically assumed to be strong, so by aspiring to write “strong female characters” we are perpetuating the idea that women are weak by default.

3) “Strong” Alienates All Other Female Characters

The term “strong female character” implies that characters who don’t meet any of the criteria in #1 are weak, boring, and not worth writing about, and that’s absolutely false. 

4) “Strong” Puts the Focus in the Wrong Places

If you’re putting all your effort into creating a character who meets the criteria of #1, you’re putting less effort into creating REAL, complex, well-developed characters.

5) “Strong Female Characters” Perpetuate Harmful Ideas About Women

When women are portrayed as better or more desirable because they’re physically/mentally/emotionally strong, intelligent, skilled, or flawless, what we’re doing is telling women that they are weak if they don’t meet those criteria. We need to do better.

Instead of Aspiring to Write “Strong Female Characters…”

Write. Real. People.

If you want to write a good, solid, female character, aim for the following:

create a well developed character with her own goals and motivations

give her a thoughtful character arc

make sure she’s not thrust into the background of a male dominated plot

make sure she’s not there solely as support for a male character

let her and other characters (including males) rely on each other equally

let her stand on her own two feet but unafraid to ask for help as needed

don’t make her a male character in a dress

don’t make her masculine because it’s more practical

give. her. flaws.

give. her. emotions.

give. her. a. personality.

give her healthy relationships with other women

let her talk to other women about something other than a man

make her real

make her relatable 

make her complex

make her motivated

let her be sad, if she needs to be sad

let her cry, if she needs to cry

let her fall in love, if she wants to fall in love

let her be angry, if she needs to be angry

let her be maternal, if she feels maternal

Just. Write. People.

I honestly can’t stress that enough.

Best of luck with your story! <3