Day 10 - Hoax issue 5: feminisms and community (Compilation zine co-edited by Rachel and Sari)
Okay so I have an embarrassing confession to make: even though I’ve been slowly collecting Hoax zines for the past few months (1, 2, and 6 and then I’ll have them all!) and I contributed to the most recent issue, I’ve never actually sat down to read any of them. I think I was intimidated. Clocking in at a whopping 68 pages, it’s the largest zine I’ve ever read. I also expected it to read like an academic journal for some reason. So on a day I had nothing really to do, I sat down and read Hoax 5, steeling myself for having to read sentences 3 times to fully understand them.
It wasn’t like that at all, though. The contributors took the “community” theme in a number of different directions, including but not limited to: food co-ops, safer spaces, knowing your neighbors, geographical distance from a physical community, and emotional support networks. Even if you aren’t interested in all the subjects or don’t agree with all the opinions, there’s sure to be something that resonates with you. Like all great pieces of art, Hoax 5 has made me seriously think about my behaviors and beliefs - the ways I’ve screwed up in terms of assuming the worst of people on the internet and my occasional annoyance at newbie feminists, for example. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised and I can’t wait to read the rest!
Edit: Also there is a drawing of a puking unicorn in this issue which is pretty awesome.
68 pages, half-sized, got mine at the NYC Feminist Zine Fest but you can get yours here.
thanks for such an honest, thoughtful review! <3
