Backlash brews over Green Day's handbook for 'rebellious women'
On Tuesday, US rock band Green Day announced they would be publishing their first book, a ‘handbook for rebellious women’ based on a song of theirs from 2010.
Last Of The American Girls has been co-authored by the band’s three members, and is due out in October.
Little more is known about the book, other than it is illustrated by Frank Caruso, and its publisher’s product description, which says it is “Celebrating true rebel girls—girls who push back, girls who use their voice, girls who say no—Last of the American Girls takes on both the establishment and the upwardly mobile, espousing an infectious spirit that has never been more relevant.”
However, following the announcement, people on Twitter have expressed their disappointment that no women appeared to be involved in a book about women.
What rebellious everywoman among us has not longed for an inspiring handbook authored and illustrated by four men and zero women https://t.co/tWNHpnpZZK
— andi zeisler (@andizeisler) April 2, 2019
“What rebellious everywoman among us has not longed for an inspiring handbook authored and illustrated by four men and zero women” said one person.
I’m a HUGE fan of Green Day — they are my favourite — but why in the hell are they writing a handbook for women???
— Tania Freedman 🇨🇦 (@TaniaFreedman) April 2, 2019
“I’m a HUGE fan of Green Day — they are my favourite — but why in the hell are they writing a handbook for women???” Said another.
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Some defended Green Day and said that the book is based on their song and therefore it is ok for them to write about it, while others said that this didn’t mean women couldn’t be involved in the creation process.
@ everyone criticizing Green Day because they don’t realize Last of the American Girls is a song—
IT’S AN ILLUSTRATED BOOK FOR THE SONG. NOT A BOOK ABOUT HOW WOMEN SHOULD LIVE. pic.twitter.com/pxk7ANcDGp
— ? (@loxisdead) April 3, 2019
The song the book is based on come’s from Green Day’s 2009 album 21st Century Breakdown. At the time the song was described as a “left-wing love song” to rebellious women.