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

Talking Tomboys, Racism, and Busting Gender Norms with Lisa Selin Davis

Season 3 Episode 7

Lisa Selin Davis

One of the joys of childhood for a lot of girls, me included, was being a tomboy when I was a child. I ran around with a pack of boys and girls and we played with abandon.

Does this sound familiar? Was that you or a friend of yours? In this episode I speak with author Lisa Selin Davis. Selin Davis has written a book that not only looks at the general idea of being a tomboy but also at the deep racism that lies at the heart of the 19th century practice of encouraging girls to be tomboys.

Tomboy-ism isn't just a way of being in the world, it has implications that underpin our society as a whole and the dynamics that define our understanding of gender roles. If you have were a tomboy, have one in your life, or are curious about how racism and tomboy-ism are connected, have a listen. It's fascinating...

Lisa Selin Davis is the author of TOMBOY along with two novels, BELLY and LOST STARS. Her articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Salon, The Guardian, Yahoo and many other publications.

For a written transcript of this conversation click here.

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Harmonica music courtesy of a friend