The band Green Day is set to release a new “handbook” about….being a woman?
Yep. True story. Here’s the announcement, via Rolling Stone:
Green Day will release their first book, “an inspiring homage and handbook for the rebellious everywoman who refuses to capitulate,” called ‘Last of the American Girls’ this fall https://t.co/uzrfoCeUo8 pic.twitter.com/Fkiopgou9b
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) April 2, 2019
Lest you be wondering, no, this is not an April Fool’s prank.
The “handbook,” which was also illustrated by a man, is reportedly “an inspiring homage and handbook for the rebellious everywoman who refuses to capitulate" and will celebrate “true rebel girls," according to the publisher.
Green Day frontman Billie How Armstrong says the book started as an homage to his wife, then spiraled from there.
“Then I started getting into more of my own beliefs — anything from a little book of conspiracies to playing vinyl records or something,” he explained. “It’s sort of about an empowering, sort of subterranean kind of lifestyle, but at the same time there’s a new era coming in with the way we all need to live.”
If any of that makes sense to you.
I know I'm running the risk of sounding like a crazy feminist here (and I'm not one). But to remind, Green Day is a three-member band comprised of…well, all men. Who’ve never been women. Which was a really fun fact Twitter users were quick to seize on.
Breaking: Weezer will be releasing a collection of songs about the struggles of Black people in America.
— A.W. Illing (@antwill82) April 3, 2019
I'm gonna write a book about how to do backflips. I don't know how to myself, but I feel like my perspective on the matter is relevant.
— Eli Kirk (@evomek) April 3, 2019
Alternate title: Douchesplaining
— Robert (@ZippityZeus) April 3, 2019
Arctic Monkeys are soon to be releasing "Know America" a guide to native americans on navigating their history and traditions.
— Davefacestation (@Davefacestation) April 3, 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???
— Tania Freedman 🇨🇦 (@TaniaFreedman) April 2, 2019
But hey, we also live in a world in which men can simply claim womanhood because they "feel" like one and trounce them in their own sports leagues, and the ACLU thinks that's not a problem in the slightest. So why not a handbook for women written exclusively by men?
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to finish my guide to being a little boy growing up in the slums of Bangkok.
(Cover Photo: Sven-Sebastian Sajak)