This line: “In our era, feminism is strong enough that it can create a moving and viral hashtag. But it has been made too weak to advance a political platform.” Whew.
Thank you for writing about this important book. Too many women ignored the backlash in the 1980’s and 90’s, believing their rights were intact. We cannot ignore it now.
Yes - this neatly frames my life as a feminist, born in the 1960s. I was reflecting on my mother's experience with this - and how in spite of her embrace of The Pill, early divorce, remarriage, and full-time work, she dismissed feminism. No wonder.
Yesterday, I saw you live on the “Today” show and you were GREAT. Glad you got the hosts & their audience thinking about new paradigms of living as a woman (especially with kids still in the nest) in today’s America. Key question: Did you meet the Indigo Girls back stage? Did you stick around for their mini studio concert and watch from the wings? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
I sat just a few feet away from them in the green room and I wanted to say hi, but someone was interviewing them so I chickened out. Before our segment Jenna, Hoda, Maria and I were dancing on the couch to their warm up. After, Maria and the producer and I were talking so they made us leave the set and I didn’t get to see the concert but I did have an amazing talk with Maria Shriver!
One of many "must-read" bylines that Lyz highlights here. Ms Donegan never disappoints.
I really like the recounting of all the talk show guests fan-girling each other in the green room. When else do the paths of these entertainment giants intersect, otherwise...?
How did I not know that Lyz was on Today this week. Glad the link was provided today! Great segment Lyz!
Great that I got to read the repost of Moira's essay. Takes be back to the exciting days in the 70s when my then wife and I were co-NOW members / supporters. Then she made the right decision and made me her ex, and we moved on. And sadly, NOW became a distant memory.
I'm old enough to remember when Backlash appeared, and old enough to know more than few Vietnam era draft dodgers who moved up to Canada.
Even though Trudeau the Younger is in no way his father, I am hopeful that Canada might become the destination of choice for women (of all sizes, shapes, and gender labels) as the US moves further and further into the crazy right-wing pseudo-Christian antiquity.
It feels as though every week there's another story out of the US that just terrifies me, and I dread what will happen when the seemingly inevitable civil war breaks out.
I mean TRUMP? Really?
I've lived in the US, and have driven it coast to coast. I know it, and I love it, but at this point I seriously doubt that I'll ever cross over the border again. It just feels too dangerous.
Instead I find myself spending far too much time explaining to other Canadians that really, truly, not all Americans are like Donald Trump and his followers. Except that it's becoming more and more difficult to convince them that a population that would elect Trump not once, but twice, is one that can be trusted.
If I was a woman in America right now, and especially if I had a daughter there, my primary goal would be finding a way to escape - to Canada, to France, to anywhere where the rights of women are still protected and cherished. I don't understand why any woman would choose to place herself at risk in what looks like a situation that will get much, much worse before it gets better.
This line: “In our era, feminism is strong enough that it can create a moving and viral hashtag. But it has been made too weak to advance a political platform.” Whew.
Thank you for writing about this important book. Too many women ignored the backlash in the 1980’s and 90’s, believing their rights were intact. We cannot ignore it now.
Yes - this neatly frames my life as a feminist, born in the 1960s. I was reflecting on my mother's experience with this - and how in spite of her embrace of The Pill, early divorce, remarriage, and full-time work, she dismissed feminism. No wonder.
Yesterday, I saw you live on the “Today” show and you were GREAT. Glad you got the hosts & their audience thinking about new paradigms of living as a woman (especially with kids still in the nest) in today’s America. Key question: Did you meet the Indigo Girls back stage? Did you stick around for their mini studio concert and watch from the wings? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
I sat just a few feet away from them in the green room and I wanted to say hi, but someone was interviewing them so I chickened out. Before our segment Jenna, Hoda, Maria and I were dancing on the couch to their warm up. After, Maria and the producer and I were talking so they made us leave the set and I didn’t get to see the concert but I did have an amazing talk with Maria Shriver!
That is still sooo COOL 😎
I know I’m still processing!!
A woman existing without input from a man. Deeply upsetting to men since...forever?
I must dust off my copy of "Backlash." I read it when it first came out which was... too long ago...!
I read it for the first time while writing my book and PHEW it's a slog but a worthwhile slog.
Love Moira Donegan! Made my day.
One of many "must-read" bylines that Lyz highlights here. Ms Donegan never disappoints.
I really like the recounting of all the talk show guests fan-girling each other in the green room. When else do the paths of these entertainment giants intersect, otherwise...?
I am definitely going to write a little about it for the Sunday newsletter!
Eager to read that!
Oof. We might as well ask for what we truly, fully want!!
Hope you recover quickly Lyz
How did I not know that Lyz was on Today this week. Glad the link was provided today! Great segment Lyz!
Great that I got to read the repost of Moira's essay. Takes be back to the exciting days in the 70s when my then wife and I were co-NOW members / supporters. Then she made the right decision and made me her ex, and we moved on. And sadly, NOW became a distant memory.
I'm old enough to remember when Backlash appeared, and old enough to know more than few Vietnam era draft dodgers who moved up to Canada.
Even though Trudeau the Younger is in no way his father, I am hopeful that Canada might become the destination of choice for women (of all sizes, shapes, and gender labels) as the US moves further and further into the crazy right-wing pseudo-Christian antiquity.
It feels as though every week there's another story out of the US that just terrifies me, and I dread what will happen when the seemingly inevitable civil war breaks out.
I mean TRUMP? Really?
I've lived in the US, and have driven it coast to coast. I know it, and I love it, but at this point I seriously doubt that I'll ever cross over the border again. It just feels too dangerous.
Instead I find myself spending far too much time explaining to other Canadians that really, truly, not all Americans are like Donald Trump and his followers. Except that it's becoming more and more difficult to convince them that a population that would elect Trump not once, but twice, is one that can be trusted.
If I was a woman in America right now, and especially if I had a daughter there, my primary goal would be finding a way to escape - to Canada, to France, to anywhere where the rights of women are still protected and cherished. I don't understand why any woman would choose to place herself at risk in what looks like a situation that will get much, much worse before it gets better.
Right on, Moira Donegan! Live boldly and with purpose. Bring other women with you. The patriarchy will always fight to stay in power.
(Lyz, sorry I missed you in Chicago. It was a full day, and I'm old. Heard it was awesome.)