Writer Saira Rao Talks Feminism, Politics, and Life after November
Feminism & Co. | Interview #3
Saira Rao, co-founder of In This Together Media, sat down with us to talk feminism, politics, and life after November. Saira works to create more compelling and relatable characters in novels for young women. She is the author of Chambermaid, the story of a year in the life of a young attorney clerking for a power-hungry sociopath.
MCA Denver: Do you consider yourself a feminist?
Saira Rao: Feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men” — who objects to this??
MCA: What do you see as the most pressing feminist political issue?
SR: The Republican Party.
MCA: Tell us a good feminist joke.
SR: Donald Trump, only it’s not that funny anymore.
MCA: So much has changed for feminism in the last five years? Where do you see feminism going in the next five years?
SR: It all depends on the election this November. If Hillary Clinton wins, we’re on an excellent road in terms of feminism and all human rights (of which gender parity is one). If it’s Trump, we’re fucked.
MCA: Who are your top feminist artists right now?
SR: Pink, Mama Gena, Shonda Rhimes, Beyonce, Lena Dunham, Melissa Rosenberg (creator of Jessica Jones). And, there are just SO many female filmmakers, especially those of color, that it’s hard to choose.
Actually, that might be a good feminist joke.
Feminism & Co. continues Thursday March 17, with Get Real: Women in Media. The event is already sold out, but will be live-streamed via periscope.
Feminism & Co. is a program series that explores contemporary culture through issues relating to women and gender. With film screenings, creative performances, lectures, and panel discussions, these evenings address women’s (and men’s) complicated relationship to art, politics, and sexuality.
