from Jes of The Militant Baker
Cunt: A Declaration of Independence by Inga Muscio
Hello literate and stylish ladies! And hello gorgeous Danielle! Thanks for having me here at Sometimes Sweet... I cannot wait to share my favorite ever book with you... (drum roll please)... Cunt: A Declaration of Independence. I grew up in a pretty confining woman silencing religious culture for the majority of my life. My childhood was glorious, but as I grew into womanhood I could start to feel my critical thinking and rebellious nature welling up inside of me. After returning home from college, I started working at an alternative bookstore and this book was placed in my hands by a woman I will forever be indebted to. I read it in a day. And then I read it again! This is the book that gave me the permission I so desperately needed to explore myself and find out who I really am. This book burst open the floodgates for the rest of my life. To me, it is freedom. Dramatic? Kinda. Accurate? Hell yeah!
Inga Musico lives her life dedicated to reclaiming the word "cunt". She explores the history of the "demeaning" words we throw around today, the potential within women communities, sex-positive birth control, holistic healing, personal empowerment and protection, womanifestos and a lot lot lot more. This book was first written in 1998, and definitely touts an aftertaste of the Olympia Riot Grrrl movement which personally, I love.
I'd like to share my womanifesto that I wrote after reading this book. It is from years ago, but it still holds an exceptional amount of power for me. I think it might also give you insight into the flavor of this revolutionary book. Note: back then, I only wrote in lowercase letters:) Read it here.
The view presented within Cunt is very "radical" since it emerged from heightened oppression. Feel free to read with a discerning eye, but I would suggest also reading with a wide open mind. See what happens for you. Even if I were a verbose poet with all the time in the world, I could not put unto words how much power this little book holds. And, likewise, how much power we hold within ourselves. Give it a whirl. See if it don't rock your world, girlfriend.
see previous Literate & Stylish posts here.
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