Summary of Roxane Gay’s Masterclass on Writing for Social Change

12 key takeaways from the author of Bad Feminist and Hunger

masterclass.com

1. Writing can be a method of self-expression that also contributes meaningfully to the political conversation. Roxane has been inspirational to many on the topics of race and gender equality through her essays, short stories, memoir, and novel. She is most well-known for her writing focused on violence against women, and how the way it’s typically represented in fiction normalizes and excuses such crimes. Through her writing she aims to break down negative stereotypes of “feminists” and “difficult women”, and to open up more opportunities for women of all diverse backgrounds.
2. Write with a sense of purpose. Writing for social change doesn’t mean you will change the world right away, but it adds to the collective efforts towards social justice by helping marginalized groups feel seen, heard, and understood.
3. Labels are often filled with paradoxes. Don’t be afraid to tear them apart, play with them, and rearrange them in a way that truly showcases the beautiful complexity behind it all. Nothing exists in absolutes.
4. Writing for social change is about starting a conversation. You’re generating the ideas for meaningful discussion around social issues, and setting the framework for productive cultural…