"Most new fiction and non-fiction in Australia is written and consumed by women and has been for many years. The need the Stella Prize claims to address, under-representation of women in publishing, is a non-problem. Aside from that, it is misguided philosophically and psychologically. To appropriate the name of Stella Maria Sarah Miles when she is no longer alive to give her assent or dissent, borders on monstrous. What is needed is good and great works, no matter who writes them. If Henry Lawson was able to see clearly the merits of My Brilliant Career while knowing the author was a girl, why should women writers of today fear a frank public reception? Feminists can have their separate playpen with its rapidly diminishing returns, or they can be taken seriously as equal players. Any self-respecting author or artist wouldn’t have it any other way."
Romanticism. Early white Australians found privileges in the bush only afforded to them. Firstly and foremost, they could murder non whites with absolute impunity. I don’t think they actually had much time for boredom?
I am thinking of faith now
and the testaments of loneliness
and what we feel we are
worthy of in this world.
- David Whyte
"Most new fiction and non-fiction in Australia is written and consumed by women and has been for many years. The need the Stella Prize claims to address, under-representation of women in publishing, is a non-problem. Aside from that, it is misguided philosophically and psychologically. To appropriate the name of Stella Maria Sarah Miles when she is no longer alive to give her assent or dissent, borders on monstrous. What is needed is good and great works, no matter who writes them. If Henry Lawson was able to see clearly the merits of My Brilliant Career while knowing the author was a girl, why should women writers of today fear a frank public reception? Feminists can have their separate playpen with its rapidly diminishing returns, or they can be taken seriously as equal players. Any self-respecting author or artist wouldn’t have it any other way."
Preach.
Romanticism. Early white Australians found privileges in the bush only afforded to them. Firstly and foremost, they could murder non whites with absolute impunity. I don’t think they actually had much time for boredom?