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Mona Eltahawy

6 May, 7 tweets, 3 min read

@rerutled

#ThisIs53

It is not my birthday. I post my picture weeklyish on Instagram because I want people to see a woman in her 50s.

📷 @rerutled

It's also my way of appreciating the comfort eyeliner brings me. My morning ritual of choosing a colour and using a brush to paint it around my eyes, makes me feel like a calligrapher, writing a letter of love to myself during these difficult days. feministgiant.com/p/deliberate-b…

Men and women of all social classes were wearing eyeliner in Egypt as early as 6000 BC. And being a writer, I am particularly delighted that the hieroglyphic term for makeup artist derives from the root “sesh,” which translates to write or engrave.

The ancient Egyptian word for “makeup palette” derives from the word meaning “to protect.” My ancestors believed Kohl eyeliner protected them against the harsh sunlight or the Evil Eye; I believe the eyeliner I apply protects me against the harsh days of pandemic & perimenopause.

Cosmetics were found in the graves of men, women, and children.

In fact, “according to ancient Egyptian manuscripts, eye makeup was believed to have a magical role, in which the gods Horus and Ra would protect wearers against several illnesses.” feministgiant.com/p/deliberate-b…

I call my eyeliner ritual Deliberate Beauty. It is an investment in the strength of my heart. I am protecting myself with daily joy & building strength for what is to come.

It connects me to a heritage extending millenia before me and which demands “Find beauty! Joy is coming!”

Thank you all sharing their pictures and all sending kind words.

And thank you for sharing my essay. Subscribe to FEMINIST GIANT here: it's free and pay if you can.

feministgiant.com

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https://twitter.com/monaeltahawy/status/1383793253963632648

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https://twitter.com/monaeltahawy/status/1383793253963632648

It is telling that police are thought to be protectors from violence when that protection is conditional on who you are: “racism, poor relationships with local communities, misogyny, and the patriarchal culture of the police service” were ongoing concerns. theguardian.com/australia-news…

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feministgiant.com/p/essay-my-amb… #MayDay

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What is ambition for a working class woman or a woman who is poor?

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Happy #MayDay!

I began this essay which I wrote in December with Emma Goldman's words above. feministgiant.com/p/essay-a-time… #MayDay

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Mona Eltahawy

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30 Apr

@hotflashinc

I have never seen an ad like this before. First time I’ve heard “vagina” and “menopause” in an ad. Note: It is targeted at cis women and is not inclusive of all menopausal people. h/t @hotflashinc

@heathercorinna

For an intersectional, trans, nonbinary and gender non conforming inclusive book on perimenopause and menopause PRE-ORDER @heathercorinna brilliant book - and I'm not saying that just because I'm in it!

hachettego.com/titles/heather…

@wcfbook

Also: are you ready for our chat about Heather’s book for one of my favourite bookshops @wcfbook?! Sign up! I’m so excited to be talking to them about everything perimenopause & menopause.

https://twitter.com/heathercorinna/status/1385588040438013953

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Mona Eltahawy

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29 Apr

@TrampPress

“I wrote this book with enough rage to fuel a rocket.” The Seven Necessary Sins For Women and Girls is now available in Ireland and the UK via
@TrampPress 📷 @rerutled

@Foyles

"I wrote this book with enough rage to fuel a rocket."

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