Hello Folks, we’re not Turkeys and neither are you

I know you have received quite a few emails from me this week regarding AF’s Femininomenon! Urbanism Campaign. That is because we’re in a race. A race to provide you with urbanism journalism that is feminist and that takes into account the classes of race, gender, and socioeconomic. 

Gender and race are classes, too. 

A class is imposed on you from outside. It is not innate or cultural. 

If you have a class, you have experienced being othered. You have experienced “Hell is other people,” to quote Simone de Beauvoir's longtime lover Sartre in his play No Exit.

A Feminist Newsletter in New Jersey —about Urbanism Launches Groundbreaking Fundraising Campaign to Revolutionize Urbanism Journalism

NEWARK, NJ, 11/25/2024 - A Feminist Newsletter in New Jersey —about Urbanism (AF) the outré feminist newsletter founded by critical urban theorist L. Lo Sontag, today announced the launch of an ambitious fundraising campaign aimed at expanding its innovative editorial content and community lectures focused on gender inclusive

‘A Feminist Newsletter in New Jersey’—about UrbanismL. Lo Sontag

This quote is purposely misinterpreted, just like urbanism is often purposely misinterpreted. 

Oppressors often try to normalize their sadistic behaviors by helping to “translate” people who are trying to subvert the system. 

The purposeful misinterpretation of Sartre’s existential play, No Exit, is that the theme is that hell is other people, but the “other” is POWER, aka hegemony.

He discussed a power dynamic where you are objectified as an “other” by power. The power to control and create a narrative wherein, in the end, you will even judge yourself

In the vast majority of urban journalism, if you are not heterosexual, politically a white man, able-bodied, with wealth AND a salary over 200k essentially, if you’re NOT described by what you do —rather than your class, you’re left feeling disempowered, like you need a training to be a human being. If you’re part of a historically excluded or marginalized group, urbanism journalism leaves you feeling that you are not good enough and objectified. You can’t ride your bike ten miles a day; you cannot afford to live where you can walk and easily take public transit to work, and you don’t have the time to enjoy the open street festivals. 

Well, here at AF, we’re writing to champion your experiences in urbanism and to validate YOUR concerns and feelings. 

We want 15-minute cities for everyone because everyone has a RIGHT TO THE CITY and the sobering fact that urbanism is the most sustainable model for the worsening climate crisis. Lessening car dependency and sprawl are no longer nice-to-haves, both are necessary for us to thrive in the next 500 years. 

So, I’m sure you understand the urgency of this end-of-year Femininomenon!, Urbanism Campaign, which involves asking you to donate and upgrade your membership. We want to show funders that people BELIEVE in this concept, and we want you to be part of our testimonials. 

With that, look at all of the great work we’ve been doing. 

Feminist Urbanism is a potential Blueprint for Newark, New Jersey and the entire Metro.

At its core, feminist urbanism demands that city planners ask, “Does your class, whether it is gender, race, or socioeconomic, dictate your options in this city?” This question is especially pertinent in New Jersey, where systemic and institutional inequality has long dictated who has access to housing, reliable transportation, and

‘A Feminist Newsletter in New Jersey’—about UrbanismL. Lo Sontag

You could always find work at the Post Office

‘A Feminist Newsletter in New Jersey’—about UrbanismL. Lo Sontag

Thanks for reading.

Your Femininomenon! Urbanism,

Lo

AF is a project of Alternative Newsweekly Foundation (ANF) founded by the Association of Alternative Newsmedia (now known as AAN Publishers) in 2002. We are also in partnership with the public Montclair State University’s Center for Cooperative Media, and we are member of the Tiny News Collective!