In Light of the Election Results

By Natalie McCarty

I have devoted my life to publishing authentic media because I believe, wholeheartedly, in the power of stories to shape society. It’s true that the stories we share have an impact, but it’s equally true that our media reflects the world we live in, responding to societal needs, fears, and values.

This is precisely why Trump’s intended and looming ban of books like Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Toni Morrison’s Beloved, and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is so deeply troubling. These works hold a mirror up to society, exposing injustices and sparking conversations that empower marginalized voices. By attempting to silence these authors, men like Trump aim to erase narratives that challenge patriarchal and oppressive systems—stories that remind us of the strength and resilience of women, especially when we come together.

The book bans highlight how threatened some men feel by women’s stories and perspectives, fearing the shift in power that such voices can bring. For women, especially those who vote to uphold patriarchal systems, know that these choices linger; they affect not just our generation but future ones. Ironically, no man exists without a woman, yet so many seek to silence, control, or dismiss us.

And so, as women, as writers, and as allies, we must continue to lift each other up and demand that all voices are heard. To stifle authentic media is to stifle the progress of our society itself.

-Natalie McCarty
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Gut Instinct