Issue IV, Volume I: The Beauty Issue

new feminisms is a digital thought companion run by critic and editor Sarah Fonseca.

Dear Reader,

There’s been a lot of idle chatter on here about beauty these last few weeks: Is it politically incorrect for a beautiful brown woman to concede she chose her lesbianism? Are plastic surgery and botox the enemies of feminism? What does the intensity of some private beauty routines say about survival in 2026?

Full disclosure: I do not have answers to these questions. But I know some baddies who might. This week, I am letting them take the wheel.

Week of Monday, February 23: What’s New on new feminisms:

Tuesday, February 24

Deep Throat: Regarding Elizabeth Taylor

In celebration of Pisces season, a meditation on Elizabeth Taylor’s health and disfigurement from a tracheotomy. And her iron will and lack of apology; featuring Camille Paglia.

Wednesday, February 25

Sontag on the Beauty Culture Wars

Susan Lee Sontag (1933-2004) was a whore for beauty. She wrote about it. A lot. And she defended it. A lot. Let’s chew on one of her final essays on the matter, “An Argument about Beauty” (2002).

Thursday, February 26

What is Taylor Swift’s Agenda, Exactly?

I have some ideas.

Friday, February 27

Whitney: Can I Be Me

A review of the Nick Broomfield documentary on the late creative genius, Whitney Houston.

As always: Have fun. I sure am.

xo,

S