Everything is Terrible | 38

This week’s episode is called “Everything Is Terrible.” We couldn’t help it. In this episode, we run down all the things that terrible for women right now, and unfortunately - it’s a lot. We discuss why it’s important to discuss things that aren’t positive, keeping the powerful in check and recognizing the work and challenges that women have experienced. 

We discuss sexual harassment and assault and criminal justice, women not being believed by doctors, a terrible list by Forbes, and why we’re more likely to die in car accidents, and then we do get to some good news: women being seen as competent, women’s groups shoring up political power, and great books and good TV to look forward to.

Want extra reading?

• From Vox, on Brett Kavanaugh: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/9/16/20868426/brett-kavanaugh-fbi-investigation-susan-collins-joe-manchin-jeff-flake
• From Madame Noir, on Ja’leyah Jamar: https://madamenoire.com/1100519/jaleyah-jamar-trans-woman-murdered/
• From Pro Publica, on the Marshall project: https://www.propublica.org/article/false-rape-accusations-an-unbelievable-story
• This American Life episode called “Anatomy of Doubt” https://www.propublica.org/article/false-rape-accusations-an-unbelievable-story
• From Texas Tribune on donating money to rape kit testing when we renew our drivers’ licenses: https://www.texastribune.org/2017/09/18/how-texas-drivers-can-help-texas-tackle-its-rape-kit-testing-backlog/
• Atlantic article called “An Epidemic of Disbelief” https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/08/an-epidemic-of-disbelief/592807/
• Think podcast episode on serial rapists and rape kits: https://think.kera.org/2019/08/12/why-serial-rapists-stalk-among-us/
• From Jezebel, on women and crash test dummies: https://jezebel.com/women-are-dying-in-car-accidents-because-the-only-femal-1836527298
• From NYT, on doctors and female patients: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/well/live/when-doctors-downplay-womens-health-concerns.amp.html
• From Time, by Dr. Cottom, on not being listened to as a patient: https://time.com/5494404/tressie-mcmillan-cottom-thick-pregnancy-competent/
• From NPR, on the Forbes list: https://www.npr.org/2019/09/11/759899375/female-ceos-blast-forbes-list-of-innovative-leaders-that-includes-only-one-woman?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social
• The LA Times article on women and competence: https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2019-07-18/women-more-competent-than-men-study
• From MSNBC, on two years into #metoo: https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/men-sound-metoo-i-definitely-look-back-cringe-ncna1054886

Profess-Hers is a podcast written and presented by Misty, a History professor, and Allegra, an English professor, both of whom are here for having a serious, fun conversation about looking at literature, history, current events, pop culture, and media through a feminist lens.

Written by Allegra Hanna and Misty Wilson-Mehrtens. Find the Profess-Hers Podcast on Twitter and Instagram @Professhers.