Misogyny Mishaps with Maddie Blackwood: Episode 1, “Modern Women and Ancient Issues”

The following is a complete transcript of the above podcast.

“Hello and welcome to Misogyny Mishaps with me, your host, Maddie Blackwood. In this podcast series, I’ll be discussing issues and themes of gender. My goal is to shed light on the treatment of women and the overall female experience, all while digging up society’s misogynistic roots. 

For today’s episode, we’re talking about “Modern Women & Ancient Issues.” I want to focus particularly on American women in politics and government. Aside from Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who are the biggest women in politics right now? That would, of course, be the “Squad”: a group of four Democratic congresswomen.

The term refers to Representatives Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, more popularly known as AOC, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. Not only are they progressive Democrats, they’re all women of color, making them popular targets of attacks and insults from the Right. 

Here’s an example of a common narrative: 

Trump, “They’re very bad for our country” (0:00-0:07) 

Despite battling racist and sexist brigades like that, the Democratic congresswomen made great strides for the left’s progressive base throughout their freshman term. They all even won their reelection bids without much of a challenge this past November. But, of the countless attacks on the “Squad”, it’s AOC’s encounter with GOP Rep. Ted Yoho this past July, that really took me off-guard. 

A reporter from The Hill overheard Rep. Yoho hurling insults at Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on the steps of the Capitol building. He waved his finger in her face, calling her ‘disgusting,’ ‘crazy’, and ‘dangerous,’ even saying she was out of her mind. 

Upon calling the congressman on his rude remarks, AOC headed up the steps into the Capitol building. However, Rep. Yoho offered one last parting remark as he walked down the hill with Rep. Roger Williams. 

To which I quote: “A fucking bitch.”

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez is known for her firecracker attitude, taking no BS, and standing her ground. This situation was no different. Soon after the verbal attack, and lackluster apology from Rep. Yoho, AOC made a moving speech on the House Floor discussing the culture of misogyny that enables these abusive, dehumanizing attitudes. 

And, yes, before all the Brads, Chads, and closested misogynists start to roll their eyes, this is, in fact, a cultural problem. Rep. Yoho’s abusive remarks are not an isolated incident; they are a result of generations of misogynistic attitudes ingrained in our societal structure. 

AOC explains why: C SPAN Coverage (3:25-3:42)

That quote is only the beginning of an amazing, impactful speech; and I encourage you to watch the CSPAN broadcast, linked in the transcript below, at some point.

Like AOC said, this attitude and treatment of women is nothing new, especially within the political sphere. This past June, Brookings economist Richard V. Reeves reported on the 2020 Global Gender Report Gap, where the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranks the equality progress of 153 nations. Where did the U.S. fall, you ask? 53rd place. Meanwhile, Mexico ranked 25th, and Canada took the 19th spot. In comparison to our North American neighbors, we failed in one major category: political empowerment, where we scored a 0.164 out of 1. 

WEF calculates political gender equality with three indicators: 1) the ratio of women to men in terms of years in executive office over the last 50 years; 2) the current ratio of women to men in parliamentary positions; and, 3) the current ratio of women to men in ministerial positions. Obviously, the U.S. failed miserably across all categories. But, if we matched Mexico’s political empowerment score of 0.468, Reeves calculates that the U.S. would’ve ranked 6th in the world. 

Clearly, American politics have a gender problem, and it runs far deeper than just one insecure congressman’s inappropriate behavior. The term misogynist now applies to individuals AND the systems of institutions promoting gender inequalities. Maia Hoskin, a Forbes contributor for “Diversity & Inclusion,” focused in on violent misogyny, which is quite common in the political sphere. It consists of verbal and/or physical abuse towards women. Hoskin explains its a more direct form, even through systemic channels, with the sole purpose of inflicting pain or causing blatant harm. Case and point: AOC and Rep. Yoho. 

But, violent misogyny is not always that obvious. Rutgers’ Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) discussed the objectification of women in politics. It’s a strategy to devalue and undermine their power and credibility. Typically, the media focuses on female candidates’ appearance and attractiveness to the public. It doesn’t matter what their policies and platform are. Not only is this delegitimizing, the Rutgers article explains objectification is a form of dehumanization, which is the stripping of one’s agency and personhood. In dehumanizing these women, it makes them even easier to attack and tear down.

The title of this episode is “Modern Women & Ancient Issues,” because systemic misogyny is an ancient issue. Its roots trace back to some of the greatest Western civilizations, like ancient Greece. Mary Beard, a Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge, did just that with her book, Women & Power: A Manifesto. She opens the book with a scene from Homer’s The Odyssey, in which she highlights an important connection between speech and power.

In this particular scene, Penelope asks the many suitors to stop singing, since their songs remind her of her lost-husband Odysseus. But, her man-child of a son, Telemachus, scolds her. He demands she return to her room, and to remember that public speaking is for the men only. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Beard points out the gender hierarchy and power dynamics established in that essential moment: men speak, and the women are silent.  

Gender roles played an invaluable role in the formation of ancient Greek and Roman culture; their patriarchal society was built on the silencing and disempowerment of women. While this interaction between Penelope and Telemachus was fleeting, the cultural ramifications are steadfast in today’s gender landscape. 

Women are taught to stay silent, to avoid conflict. Even after Rep. Yoho’s verbal assault, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s first instinct was to stay silent. It’s pre-conditioned into the female experience, but it is not irreversible. If we want to end the misogynistic narrative that runs through our institutions and systems, then we need to stop being silent. We need to use our voice, so men like Rep. Yoho, know that behavior will no longer be accepted or ignored. 

Be like AOC: call out the patriarchy. 

Thanks for listening to the first episode of Misogyny Mishaps, and make sure to check the transcript below for the linked sources. “

Maddie Blackwood is a freshman at Colgate University. Raised in a suburb 25 minutes outside Boston, Massachusetts, she plans to pursue a double-major in Economics and Peace & Conflict Studies.