The Dark Legacy of an Early Feminist Movement
By Wim Langedijk for HURS
The Dark Legacy of an Early Feminist Movement
HUR Reads is our definitive shortlist of the most prominent articles from around the web.
By HURS Team
1
Why One Artist Routinely Destroys Her Sculptures
T Magazine profiles Meg Webster, who makes sculptures from natural materials that decay and are often taken apart after shows. Built onsite using materials found around her, this work focuses on change, loss, and renewal. Once overlooked, it now feels especially relevant in a climate-conscious moment, and even Webster remains ambivalent about whether her art should last or disappear.
T MAGAZINE
Ruhama Wolle speaks with Lucinda Childs, a key figure in postmodern dance who helped redefine the form through minimalist movement. Emerging from the Judson Dance Theater scene, Childs built a style from walking, repetition, and precise spatial patterns. Decades on, she still works daily, preserving her early choreography while continuing to find new ideas in music and the disciplined practice of movement.
THE CUT
Sarah Fletcher revisits the afterlife of Sylvia Plath, arguing that her image has been endlessly reshaped by pop culture, from Lana Del Rey aesthetics to Tumblr feminism, at the expense of her writing. Fletcher suggests each era remakes Plath to mirror its anxieties, turning her into a symbol of feminine fragility, while the complexity and force of her poetry are often sidelined.
A RABBIT’S FOOT
The New Yorker unpacks the dark legacy of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who initially launched the fight for women’s suffrage and wrote the Declaration of Sentiments. However, her life was deeply stained by racism, as she dismissed the rights of Black men and used racist language to fight for white women’s political power. While she fought for her own equality, she repeatedly demeaned Black and immigrant voices, showing that early feminism often came at the expense of those most oppressed.
THE NEW YORKER
Yasiris Ortiz isn’t just a table tennis champion; she’s a force for youth empowerment in New York City. Born in the Dominican Republic, Ortiz trained for the national team before moving to the U.S. at 18, using the sport to navigate a new city and language. Now 28, she runs Spin & Learn, a nonprofit that brings table tennis, life and academic support to 11 schools across the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. Ortiz coaches students, organizes tournaments, and emphasizes discipline and confidence to help students thrive both on and off the table. Her brief Hollywood appearance in Marty Supreme has raised awareness for the sport, but her true legacy lies in inspiring children and expanding opportunities for the next generation.