We’re madly in love with this feminist coloring book. Yes, a feminist coloring book.
Coloring books aren’t just for kids. Whether you’re 6 or 96, there is fun to found in adding color to a beautiful image. In fact, grown-up coloring books have become all the rage (there’s even an official Game of Thrones coloring book coming out this fall!).
Now, there’s a feminist coloring book that is totally rocking our world. Seattle-based feminist writer and speaker Ijeoma Oluo has created the coloring book of our dreams: “Badass Feminist Coloring Book.” Yes, that is seriously the name. The super awesome project is perfect for any creative lady who is craving the relaxing act of coloring while supporting the fabulous cause of feminism. Um, count US in.
“I’m a feminist writer and a woman of color, so I spend a lot of time neck-deep in misogyny and racism,” Ijeoma explained to Huffington Post. “To be honest, it can really start to wear you down. I’ve always loved drawing, and picked up drawing again as an adult primarily as stress relief. Nothing is more calming and strengthening to me than focusing on the amazing feminists fighting to make the world a better place. I realized that I could make coloring pages for myself and was very excited. I started sharing them with friends and the response was overwhelmingly positive.”
And we can see why. Combining the relaxing activity of coloring while fighting the patriarchy is the best idea we’ve heard in ages. The “Badass Feminist Coloring Book” (we just can’t get over how awesome that name is!) features illustrations of “feminists of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientations, races, body types, gender identities, etc.,” Huffington Post points out. And there may be a few faces in there you’ll recognize, such as Jezebel’s Lindy West. The book also includes the author’s own sister.
“I really want to communicate how diverse feminism is and must be in order to create lasting and effective positive change,” Ijeoma explained to the Huffington Post. “I wanted to shine a light on feminists that you may never have heard of — who don’t always fit the middle-class liberal cis heterosexual white woman image we usually see. I want people to see the beauty in feminism, not a conventional beauty that often hurts women, but a beauty that comes from strength, resilience, kindness and empathy. Also, I really just want to give this to my feminist friends, as a celebration of community and solidarity.” YAAAAS.
This isn’t just a one-and-done coloring book, either. It’s meant to be a constant source of inspiration. “I wanted to make something that was inspirational, interactive, and conversational,” Ijeoma explained to the Huffington Post. I wanted to make a book that you could pick up for a bit, interact with it, and then set it back [down] — not something that is read through once and then never looked at again.”
We totally LOVE this idea, and we want to buy one immediately. You can’t buy one right this instant, but it’s looking like it will be available pretty soon. . . after all, Ijeoma’s Kickstarter still has over two weeks togo, but has raised over twice as much as its goal. Seems like we’re not the only ones who love the idea of girl-powered coloring. “Drawing these amazing feminists has really helped me feel connected to them and their ideals, and I want other people to have that, Ijeoma told Huffington Post. “We can celebrate and enjoy feminism. It’s a very serious topic, but it’s also beautiful, fun, creative and inspiring.”
Again, a resounding YAAAS. Check out a few pages of Ijeoma’s book to get a taste of what the coloring book is all about.
