{"id":46064,"date":"2020-05-27T07:15:46","date_gmt":"2020-05-27T14:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frolic.media\/?p=46064"},"modified":"2020-05-26T11:23:04","modified_gmt":"2020-05-26T18:23:04","slug":"mrs-america-and-the-ripples-of-activist-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frolic.media\/mrs-america-and-the-ripples-of-activist-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Mrs. America and the Ripples of Activist History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\t\t
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One of the top things I remember from my very first lecture of my Women\u2019s and Gender Studies graduate school experience was the discussion of how we are even able to conceptualize feminist history.<\/p>

Generally, we think of feminist history in terms of \u201cwaves\u201d\u2014aka, periods of high vs. low activist activity. But my professor had compiled other ways to think of feminist history, including the idea that instead of waves, we might imagine activist movements like ripples on the surface of water. There\u2019s a small start, and the ripples continue to grow in ever-expanding concentric circles.<\/p>

Though many other aspects of my Women\u2019s and Gender Studies education may have been more fascinating, surprising or impactful, the idea that feminism is connected by ripples <\/em>came to mean a lot to me. This concept helped me understand how movements can shift and change while also recognizing the past that we came from.<\/p>

Upon finishing the first episodes of FX\u2019s newest show, Mrs. America, I found myself returning again and again to the idea that activist history doesn\u2019t just follow the peaks and valleys of imagined waves. Instead, as I watched, it was like I could feel the ripples of the issues, struggles, and personalities of the women onscreen touching my life and concerns in the present day.<\/p>

Mrs. America spends much time in its first episodes on Cate Blanchett\u2019s incredible performance as real-life opponent of the Equal Rights Amendment, Phyllis Schlafly. Viewers are given a fictionalized slice of Schlafly\u2019s everyday life as she ramps up her interest in fighting against the women\u2019s liberation movement.<\/p>

We are led to believe that Schlafly\u2019s attention-grabbing opposition isn\u2019t just rooted in deeply-held fears about the women\u2019s liberation movement. Rather, her outspoken attitudes are portrayed as an (overtly problematic) attempt to grab power for herself in whatever way she could in a patriarchal society.<\/p>

Soon, we\u2019re treated to more star-studded performances of activist icons from the 1960\u2019s and 70\u2019s as they navigate how best to build coalitions and rally support around feminist causes.<\/p>

Here are a few of my takeaways from the three-episode premiere. From amazing performances to ripples of activism through the ages, there are lots of reasons to check out Mrs. America.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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