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Chidera claimed that Florence’s new book, Women Don’t Owe You Pretty ,‘”looks the same” as her 2018 book, What a Time To Be Alone.
The final chapter of the book really reaffirmed to me how important it is to reflect upon how far you’ve come and to recognise your achievements. I’ve spent a lot of time focusing on what’s coming next, so I don’t celebrate what I’ve achieved, healed from or should feel proud about.’ Given paints herself as a survivor, harnessing the language of victimhood. This statement appeared following her disappearance from the platform in December 2020, after Chidera Eggerue (AKA The Slumflower) accused Florence Given of copying her work. Eggerue pointed out significant similarities between Given’s Women Don’t Owe You Prettyand her own book, How to Get Over a Boy. Both books were published in 2020. Beyond this, Florence still has her contract and book deal and Chidera does not. Chidera has also expressed her frustration with her “roster peers” being quiet on social media while watching her stories: In a foreshadowing of the claims to surface months later, Chidera specifically stated: “I feel a lot of my sentiments and style of delivery have been gentrified and put in your book.” Both women are online influencers and feminists, who spread similar messages of body positivity and self love. Eggergue has highlighted similarities between the content of their books, but she also points to similarities in the books’ covers and styles.
At the stage I’m at in life it wasn’t particularly anything new, but reaffirming and empowering to read all the same. 16-18 year old me really needed it though and I’d recommend it to anyone.’
Florence responded to Chidera saying: “You’ve outright denied my entire reality, multiple times in your messages.” Both works have large print, pink and orange colour themes and bold patterns. Eggergue likens the title of Given’s book with a chapter of her own, ‘I do not owe anybody pretty’. An aspect of the book that really challenged my thinking was the chapter on ‘are they intimidating or am I intimidated’. It encouraged me to question how I viewed other women in my life. I also reflected upon my own internalised misogyny, and how it’s common amongst women to weaponise another woman’s flaws to make themselves feel better.’
Alongside this, much of her artwork is accompanied by mantras that, quite frankly, we need to hear more often. One of these in her book is, ‘feeling guilty for past mistakes and behaviours does nothing for you or the people you harmed, unless you use it to change your behaviour’. Again, she is right and she should say it again. Since reading Florence’s work, I have learnt to follow her mantra of being the love of my own life, a lesson which is essential for women’s liberation in a society which values us based on our desirability.’ Annotating the screenshots, Chidera said: “For everyone asking why I am only just speaking up now, I already spoke to Floss in June. She just carried on. Florence Given said “women don’t owe you pretty,” and you know what? She’s right and she should say it again. If there was a genre titled ‘books you didn’t know you needed’, this one would be the first one on the list. At the absolute heart of this book, Florence aims to challenge sexist, racist and outdated narratives that we are fed by our patriarchal society. The publication of Women Don’t Owe You Pretty has confirmed Florence Given’s authority as a spokesperson for Generation Z and beyond. In response, I asked five women to share how Given’s work has impacted them. Five people share their thoughts on Women Don’t Owe You Pretty:
They also stated that while they worked with Chidera, they “relentlessly championed the importance of her voice and believed in her work” What was most important is that Given does not shame people for this, she merely points it out and gives us the tools to begin the unlearning process. Quite frankly, the only issue I have with this book is that it’s not longer. From start to finish you are taken on a journey that continuously questions societal notions and their effect on you. Personally, I have never felt so connected to a book prior to this, and it really has raised the bar for me. Its tone is a good balance between assertive and reflective. However, it does not mean that the conversation should be dismissed entirely. It still raises questions regarding the promotion of white voices, the cruel responses that have been produced online and white women’s place in explaining intersectional feminism.Women Don’t Owe You Pretty has occupied a space in the Sunday Times top five for twelve consecutive weeks since its publication. Florence Given’s debut book combines thought-provoking essays alongside her original illustrations. It is comforting that Given admitted she had also been complicit in upholding unrealistic standards in the past, because, well, haven’t we all?
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