TENDERNESS: A BLACK QUEER MEDITATION ON SOFTNESS AND RAGE (SECOND EDITION)

Tenderness is back with a second edition and new title, Tenderness: A Black Queer Meditation on Softness and Rage. This second edition has all the original content from the first edition with more to explore, including a new preface from author Annika Hansteen-Izora.

What would it mean if tenderness could hold a simultaneous existence of joy and rage? How to call on tenderness as a practice of love, rather than a regurgitation of white supremacy? Author and writer Annika Hansteen-Izora explores answers in Tenderness: A Black Queer Meditation on Softness and Rage. A meditation, critical inquiry, and invitation to expand our imaginations on meanings of tenderness, this piece calls into question conceptions of tenderness that are rooted in desirability, anti-Blackness and white supremacy, and instead unfolds the potentials of tenderness as a tool, a balm, a healing agent, and a question to lean into.

Size: 5" x 7.5", 72 pages, spiral bound.

Self published by Co—Conspirator Press with the support of Feminist Center for Creative Work. Written by Annika Hansteen-Izora. Copy Edited by Aliyah Blackmore. Designed and Illustrated by MJ Balvanera. Risograph printed by Cynthia T. Navarro, Binding by Southgate Bindery. Third edition published October 2024, edition of 700.

ANNIKA HANSTEEN-IZORA

(they/she/he) is a writer, poet, and multi-disciplinary artist from East Palo Alto, California. They use the elasticity of language and design to explore love as an action, queered intimacy, and frameworks of care rooted in Black futurity. Their work has been shared by McNay Art Museum, Bustle, It’s Nice That, The Creative Independent, and others.

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SCHOOL OF SOFTNESS BUCKET HAT (SOLD OUT)

These stylish bucket hats are not only a favorite accessory of Annika's, but they feature an image designed by the author themself, and a phrase inspired by the themes in the book. Don't deny yourself, everyone looks great in a bucket hat.

This durable bucket hat is made of 100% heavyweight brushed cotton twill. It is in the color stone and features blue embroidered text that reads “school of softness” with symbols underneath.

One size fits most. Edition of 200.