Florence Given

[Sunflower91]

I noticed in some of the message- to counteract the fact people are saying she is inexperienced and has gaps she will respond saying she has trauma but she doesn’t want to share publicly because she is still recovering. Which is fair enough- we don’t need to know her trauma. But... if you’re still recovering from trauma then you are still learning and most likely definitely not at a place where you should be advising others. And it really shows in the shorthand messaging- telling the masses to “dump him” is fun for a percentage of that group and resonates. It’s probably how she feels inside because she hasn’t processed everything she needs to. There is a percentage in that group, myself included, who find that quite distressing. Women who have been in coercive or abusive relationships most likely wish every day they’d just dumped him. But it takes years of therapy to realise that the person you were with tried their very hardest to remove that as a choice.

 

[dalmatirox]

queen of capitalism and narcissism

yass girl boss

 

[lushstudent]

Chidera's first few stories about everything seemed quite informative and to the point, but now she's just going after everyone who dares object against her. Florence hasn't been on Instagram in days, Diving Bell was quiet until their statement release, Gina Martin was bullied off and now Munroe Bergdorf. It's mental to me that Chidera thinks this is really going to solve the problem. I'm not advocating for either side in this equation, but surely she recognises that this is an issue that should be dealt with offline, either with management or lawyers, not your Instagram audience? If she wants to make them aware of any racial inequalities (which probably do play a part, let's be honest) then she can do so without dragging everyone through the mud

 

[Liblet]

I used to adore Florence but maaaaan… the twerking and male hate is so intense. The whole “I wear X to repel men” etc. Flo not every bloke is a walking sleazeball. You say you’re all for equality, yet you do everything you can to degrade 1/2 the population constantly.

Am all for living your best life and dancing around the house, but it shouldn’t cost 38£ to slap as much on a tee shirt. The fashion gif is also super out of touch - calling a 35£ top an “insanely low price” and showcasing constant new vintage clothes while followers are budgeting to make rent just highlights privilege. Not saying she hasn’t worked for it, but at the same time, she’s also been lucky to have found a career in a lucrative space.

Her followers just echo “omg vibes” and “ENERGY!!” And consider themselves quirky for talking about masturbation and wearing clothes that aren’t from Marks and Spencers.

so weird

 

[oczymlody]

For some reason she made me very uncomfortable. I followed for a while but realised it was having a negative impact on my mental health so unfollowed.

In theory I agreed with a lot of her points of view but I felt the way she shouted it at people was not nice. I agree with being passionate about important issues but she seemed completely unable to listen to other people's points of view and find it very difficult to imagine her changing her mind of anything. That was the vibe she gave me.

Also, I just got the vibe that she really played on being very stereotypically thin and pretty. Yeah she is doing the whole modern not shaving thing etc but, like, but she was shouting about body image and such and I just felt like I didn't need to hear from someone like her. I felt that someone who looked different, who was say fat, would not get away with being so objectively in-your-face about things, and unwilling to admit failures.

I couldn't really decide why I didn't like her and felt a bit guilty tbh for not liking her.

I think she has a way of making you feel like you’re doing something wrong if you don’t like her vibe.

 

[Sunflower91]

I feel like I’ve done a complete 180 with Florence. When I first came across her I was a fan and bought her book and felt engaged with her content. But lately it just feels like she’s kind of flaunting what she has in the faces of everyone at a time when it’s just not appropriate. One minute she’s abroad, next minute she’s got a nice new apartment but then also heaping on the pressure to be this optimal activist. Being a good activist wasn’t the catalyst for her new fame and fortune or the lifestyle she has and is happy with. Some of us are just trying to get through the day without drowning in everything that’s going on.

 

[poutfish]

this is some bullshit. I understand that imposter syndrome is real and that sometimes courage is the missing puzzle piece but do you know what gave me the courage and confidence to pursue my career? Studying for a professional credential. My boss listens to me and cares about what I have to say because I am working towards being qualified in something.

all of her advice is to/ about herself. If you listen to any of her videos it’s like she’s talking into a mirror, not to an audience. (And I don’t just mean her eye fucking herself)

she really doesn’t give a fuck about anyone that’s not like her, it’s actually kind of mad that she still has shit to say.

In her line of work you can be successful without credentials but by just having the courage to yap online.

 

[Catlover12345]

I used to really like Florence but since BLM I’ve definitely looked for more perspectives outside the white, middle class, conventionally attractive influencer bubble. However, I don’t think she did copy Chidera. Personal opinion but I think their covers don’t really look alike and a book about feminism by a young woman is going to explore similar themes. It’s good that Chidera has raised the issue of bias towards books by white writers and they are valid criticisms of her management, publishers and society in general. But she has not yet said why she decided to leave her management and with her now going after Gina Martin it just seems like a personal vendetta. I also find it interesting that I have only seen 1 other black woman publicly support Chidera. There is obviously so much more going on behind the scenes that we don’t know about!

 

[lushstudent]

I actually really like Florence and enjoy her content, but I can see why she isn't people's cup of tea. I think those tweets definitely show a side to her that she hasn't really spoken about, but then why would she? I don't think it's impossible to change, I know I hated the person I was at school but I'm working on changing and becoming a better person. She does talk about how she is conventionally attractive and I think that's important - she's gained recognition because her opinions are more digestible than a fat, trans, black woman and Florence recognises this. Her book is great as an introduction to self-reflection and the very basics of feminism, but there are far greater books that are genuine introductions to feminism and I don't think she or others should promote her book as a 'feminist book' more of a guide to changing your behaviour and thoughts.

 

[korma]

Is she really taking credit for basic feminist principles? Saying she coined them in 2016? The lies she’s telling herself is getting beyond embarrassing

Init lmao, acting like her tweets and salty shitposts weren't just recycled clichés. It's so embarrassing to watch. I think this girl might have singlehandedly ended her own career, everyone with any credibility on the platform is avoiding her like the plague and the only people taking her seriously are knock-kneed, spineless white girls riddled with white guilt who are terrified of being cancelled themselves. If you have to bully and emotionally blackmail people into supporting you, you're probably not at the helm of a worthy cause.

 

[HaveSomeMilk]

I'm not so sure I believe too much that "florences book always shows up when you search for slumflower's book"

It doesn't for me even if I type in exactly what Chidera did ie "Chidera Eggerue Feminist Book" which makes me think that Chidera has googled Florence's name so damn much or been talking about her online so much in relation to her own work that google has just adapted the algorithm to show Chidera what she's actually most interested in.

 

[fujicheck]

I don't even like Florence, I thought her book was way overhyped and I'm annoyed at myself for spending money on it. Should have known not to bother reading a book from someone like Florence who clearly lacks experience but I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Definitely better suited for young teenagers.

That said, the whole Chidera situation feels a bit weird. I haven't bought her book but it does look like the same kind of crap with cliche quotes that we've all heard before. Another self help book from a young person who has taken heavy inspiration from others and has used graphics to make it more accessible and fill in the gaps because they haven't got anything unique to add. Rubbed me up the wrong way reading Chidera's message to Florence that said her first book was the 'first hardback non-fiction book to be full of original illustrations by the author, coloured pages, mini essays, typefaces'. Don't know what planet she's on if she thinks her book is anything special. Really reaching.
Seems like they both took inspiration from other books and Chidera's annoyed Florence had the same idea but performed better.

I do agree with the whole pass the mic thing and that Florence shouldn't have even bothered writing a book when she is using other people's ideas. But I also don't blame her and I think it has performed the job she wanted and become something accessible for younger people (although again it's not the first). I can definitely understand Chidera's frustrations but I don't think her work is unique enough really. It's kind of like if Florence got annoyed at the next person who released a colourful book on feminism.

I think LBG has annoyed me the most in this situation though. At the start I appreciated her efforts and I think it's good for people to speak up. But to expect people to donate to her for her time and efforts of reading and reposting their dms? That's a normal day for influencers. She's the one who decided to get involved and play that role. She isn't even adding anything now, she's just screenshotting messages. I'm sure it came from a genuine place at the start but now she's just using it as an opportunity to make money. And no one can argue with her because she's a black woman getting paid and essentially it's what Chidera wants as well. No longer feels like LBG is doing this just to speak out and support Chidera, she's just doing it to stay relevant, grow her platform and her bank balance. At least donate a portion to charity or something?

 

[hanbelle89]

I have replied to a few of her questions recently (the ones on stories that can then been shared on her stories) and she NEVER shares them. I know that that sounds petty but I have a feeling that my opinion/POV isn't something she wants to share; as a straight, married mum in her 30s. I just don't find her inclusive.

I agree with this. I have read through most of her book and thought "Yeah, some of it is good", but it doesn't really sit at all well with me that she is basically using her past misdemeanours to basically say "Look at me; I'm a feminist!"

I appreciate that feminism isn't a one size fits all brand; I'm an Adidas trackie wearing bisexual femme in my 30s; but I don't find it comfortable watching Florence use feminism as a mouthpiece for her ill behaviour. I had to overcome years of school bullying to get through my education, and in that respect I don't really feel that her feminism speaks for me.

 

[PurpleBroccoliBetch]

Wow. I’m shocked but at the same time not shocked. I bought her book and I read the part about her in high school falling out with her mates. there was just something about it that reminded me of some girls at my school and how for their myspace blog, they’d make out they have this loneliness and how different they were on the inside but it was all a bit fake and you knew them as the mean people in school
I’m about half way through the book- some parts I love, ngl.

yes, we went to an all girls high school in plymouth. floss was one of the most 'popular' girls in the year, i never knew of her getting bullied...only her doing the bullying Its funny because she acts like she went though all this bad stuff, but like didnt we all? where was she for thegirls in school who were going through shit too? no LOL she never even thought about it. the thing is she oly ever cared about herself and judged everyone for their clothes,hair,makeup etc just proper school girl nasty shit, never to me personally but i saw it.she was the ultimate mean girl

i do think she tries to spread a good message with the dump him thing but i think shes just gone too far andjust find a problem in EVERYTHING

 

[snarkvark]

Something don’t sit right with me about white people paying black people for nothing other than feeling guilty

Something don't sit right with me about people implying someone is a rapist because they "copied" their book...

 

[stopthescams]

Ngl to only see Chidera's comments as 'you copied me' rather than 'white influencers, including Florence Given, profit off of the work of black women because of people's inherent racism' is intentionally ignorant imo.

I wouldn't call myself a fan of Chidera, but I think she's got some good points. And if Floss's money was where her mouth was, she'd drop diving bell for the horrendous way that they handled this. But I don't see that happening.

yes that is absolutely true! It’s a wider problem than just Florence and white women in general should be centering the voices of black women in feminism. So as much as I find some parts of chidera problematic, that does not mean her points arent absolutely valid and deserved to be heard.

The last screenshot Chidera has posted of Florences texts is outrageous tbh. She’s flipping the conversation and gaslighting Chidera by telling her she’s erasing her experiences. This is so typical! She tells people to learn how to apologise and doing the opposite herself, typical bully.

 

[HanLouBoo]

Found her because I’m the raging feminist of my friendship group and so I was bought her book for my birthday. I thought there were some important messages for young women in there, particularly about the pressures of the male gaze. Although she does clearly spend a lot of effort on her appearance. And the artwork is great. But, a very noticeable brushing aside of class issues (wonder why). And parroting some current “woke” opinions that will be horribly outdated in a few years.

 

[everfair]

I went on a night out with her once. She didn’t pay for a single thing despite being richer than literally every single person with her.

 

[Saywhatnow22]

I follow her but she’s become insufferable… I feel for people who live with trauma, no privilege, live in war torn counties, etc that can’t be “so deliciously in love with their life”.
I know that’s not her fault, and she does speak up on issues but I can’t cope with her anymore.
I also agree with comments about her being very patronising in the advice she gives. Why are we following her advice, who even is she

 

[lushstudent]

I may sound ageist but I feel Florence has not lived life enough to give her take on such level as a book.

I'm a bit 50/50 on this one I won't lie. I don't think you need to have lived an entire life to publish such a book, HOWEVER, Florence has had a really basic life is that makes sense? She's a very privileged white woman, and nothing she says adds to the conversation of Feminism. idk I hope that makes sense and doesn't come off as rude ahaha because I do agree with you