Yeah, That's What She Said!

Hello!

So much has happened in 2015 I'm not sure quite where to begin, but here are the basics.
- I have moved to New York to pursue my love of comedy (and stability with the man of my dreams).

- I have begun taking classes in comedy; acting sketch writing etc, and have thus met a wonderful group of creative people who I am thankful for (I'm looking at you, Handsome Bag of Thumbs).

- I got involved with a wonderful feminist network thanks to my dear friend Mensen and have taken my place as a core organiser for a feminist event called Yeah, That's What She Said.

 Aside from this being my go-to punchline (thank you Steve Carrell) it is an incredible 3 day intersectional woman led pop-up art event, involving workshops with community leaders, panel discussions with women in the movement, and three days of art, music and poetry.

The event ran for the first time last year after one of Mensen's poems went viral. You probably read it. Here is an excerpt to jog your memory:

1. It is okay to leave anyone and anything and anyplace that makes you feel like shit. It's hard, but it's okay. And fuck explaining anything to anyone, unless you want to. Let them fucking wonder.

2. Know who the fuck you are. Not just on some touchy-feely fuzzy pretty-on-the-inside tip, but knowing who you are -- racially, culturally, in relationship to your sexuality, gender and your class -- is a source of your power. You define that for you. Don't ever let anyone else tell you who you are. This may change in time, as you grow and learn more. That's okay. Manage any shame or guilt you may feel through acts of accountability.

3. Be accountable for what you do. This means owning up to how you fuck up, just as much as it means owning and defending the contested space you fill. You will fuck up, and only you can seek atonement for this. You will need to defend yourself, and rarely will anyone do that work for you. Acknowledging both your mistakes and your rights is equally important.

Some important ones: 

6. You are going to have moments of unbearable pain. It takes time to learn how to heal yourself. And healing sometimes still leaves scars. Healing is sometimes incomplete. Think of your scars as battle wounds -- evidence of how much wiser you are now -- maps of where not to return. Cherish these scars and honor them. There will come times when they are the only reminder of where you have been, and how much you still need to grow.

7. You are going to have moments of unbearable loneliness. You need to learn how to love being with yourself, because ultimately, no one has the potential to love you like you can. It is beautiful to love and be loved, but these are just hints as to how to regard yourself. If you regard yourself highly, and learn to turn loneliness into soothing solitude, you will be capable of giving and receiving truly transformative love.

And a classic one:

10. Do not fuck with lovers that don't prioritize your pleasure. That can look like a lot of different things, and you're probably still figuring it out. Don't put up with lovers that don't give you room to explore, to express, and above all -- if a lover is only focused on using you as a vessel to reach their plateau -- be out. This doesn't mean to ignore your partner's pleasure, but rather to see yours as of equal worth.

You see why I love this bruxa?

Anyway, a community space read it, were fascinated and asked her to use their space to do whatever she wanted. What Mensen wanted was to bring together the wonderful women in the communities she served and to give them a platform they wouldn't usually get to exhibit their work, their talents, their fears and dreams. Yeah, That's What She Said was born.

The core organizers from last year created an event so game changing last year that even from my small apartment in Rio de Janeiro, I felt the waves. As soon as I got back to New York I told her I wanted in, and in I got.

Yeah, That's What She Said core organizer crew.
Clockwise from me: Mensen aka Tanya, Neddy, Graciela and Lanai.

So now I'm working with four superb women who I adore and respect, and we're here trying to bring together women who inspire us and who we think will inspire other people to talk about things that are IMPORTANT. The theme this year in the wake of the police violence particularly against people of colour, our theme is Black, Brown and Trans Lives Matter. We will be looking to elevate the work and the plight of women from these communities and I am excited and inspired by the all of the support we have been getting from people who we all respect.

::* PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: This is the part where I ask for money *::
We are ambitious and ambition does not come cheap. Luckily the space we will be holding the exhibition believes in what we're doing and so is donating the space to us. However, we are looking for all we can get to help, amounts large or small, and we are taking donations here: http://www.gofundme.com/ytwss2015

I know lots of you reading this may not be based in New York, but if you know a talented woman who is, let her know that we've extended our submissions deadline and would LOVE to see her work so she can sign up here.

This is going to be big and I am excited.

New York is a big scary place, but once you find your tribe you are good. Looks like I'm finding mine.

I shall leave you with a song by potential YTWSS*2015 performer Princess Nokia.






Love,
Karla x