Toxic Femininity: White Tears/Brown Scars

Event and Ticketing Details

Dates & Times

Wednesday 25 September
6:15 PM - 7:15 PM

Location

The Wheeler Centre

176 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000

Get directions

We have limited reserved spaces for any women of colour who missed out on a booking – please email ticketing@wheelercentre.com or call 03 9094 7800 to request one.

In 2018, Sydney journalist Ruby Hamad wrote an article for the Guardian that touched a nerve with readers around the world. The article, ‘How white women use strategic tears to silence women of colour,’ was about the special and dangerous claims white women make to victimhood – in the workplace, in public debate, and in private interactions – and how these adversely affect and are wielded against women of colour.

The ‘damsel in distress’ tactic, Hamad wrote, is employed ‘to muster sympathy and avoid accountability, by turning the tables and accusing the accuser.’ 

She has since adapted the article into a new book, White Tears/Brown Scars. Hosted by Hella Ibrahim, Hamad will be joined at the Wheeler Centre by Arrernte activist and social commentator Celeste Liddle for a discussion about what happens when racism and sexism collide. 

This event is booked out, but you can watch and participate from wherever you are – the event will be live-streamed on this page, and you can sign up for reminders here.

Paperback Books will be our bookseller for this event.