Stepping Into Truth: Conversations on Race, Gender, and Social Justice

Season 3 Episode 17

Leslie Kern

When I first saw the title of Leslie Kern's book, Feminist City: Claiming Space in a Man-Made World, I was intrigued. Then I started reading it and I was fascinated. In this book Kern talks about things that are so much a part of the norm that we often don't notice them, until we do. For instance, have you ever thought about the way that public transit is perfectly designed for the way most men work but not at all for the way a lot of women work? 

What about the ways that women engage with the issue of safety, particularly in cities? The words we say to our female friends as we go our separate ways at night, "Text me when you get home", come to mind. Or how about the ways in which suburban living reinforces and perpetuates stereotypical gender roles?

Honestly, this book and talking with Leslie made me look at so many things differently than I had before. Eye-opening doesn't begin to cover it. I loved talking with her so much. Have a listen, read her book, and spread the word.

Leslie Kern is the author of two books on gender and cities, including Feminist City: Claiming Space in Man-Made World (Verso). She holds a PhD in women’s studies from York University and is currently an associate professor of geography and environment and director of women’s and gender studies at Mount Allison University, in Sackville, New Brunswick.

For a written transcript of this conversation click here.

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Feminist City: Claiming Space in a Man-Made World by Leslie Kern
Erin Wunker (author of Notes From a Feminist Killjoy among other writings)
Kayleen Schaefer (author of Text Me When You Get Home among other writings)

Contact Leslie:
Twitter
https://www.versobooks.com/books/3227-feminist-city

Credits:
Harmonica music courtesy of a friend