I'll start with a woman whom I wrote a school paper about in elementary school - the infamous Mata Hari (born Margaretha Zelle). At her trial, she said, "A harlot? Yes, but a traitoress, never!"
The Canadian historian Wesley Wark stated in a 2014 interview that Mata Hari was never an important spy, but a scapegoat for French military failures which she had nothing to do with, stating: "They needed a scapegoat and she was a notable target for scapegoating." Likewise, the British historian Julie Wheelwright stated: "She really did not pass on anything that you couldn't find in the local newspapers in Spain." Wheelwright went on to describe Zelle as "... an independent woman, a divorcée, a citizen of a neutral country, a courtesan and a dancer, which made her a perfect scapegoat for the French, who were then losing the war. She was ... held up as an example of what might happen if your morals were too loose."
Ya, jet pilot! Of course Mata Hari! There is no better compliment to another person than them a "whore." There is really no other occupation, that is voluntary! than that of a prostitute.
I'm going to choose the most misunderstood goddess in Greek mythology and literature: Hera! Queen of the Gods, Queen of the Sky, Goddess of Marriage and Goddess of ALL Women. I've never liked the way she was portrayed/maligned by most male authors from the ancient world, who were often threatened by powerful women and staunchly opposed to all things matriarchal. Which is probably why Hera is the very first goddess I chose to write about in my book-length "imagist epic" inspired by Greek mythology (forthcoming!).
Brilliant choice! And no wonder our wedding ceremony was so beautifully decorated with peacock feathers everywhere, honoring Hera. Can't wait for your book to finally be out!
Bertha Mason was the first Mrs. Rochester depicted in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre published in 1847. She is the violent villain who tormented Jane, destroyed Jane's chance at wedded happiness, caused the fire that destroyed Thornfield Hall and blinded Mr. Rochester.
Author Jean Rhys wrote a prequel to Jane Eyre published in 1966 that portrayed Antoinette Mason (Bertha in Jane Eyre) sympathetically as a young West Indian torn from her homeland, settled in England, locked in a loveless marriage and imprisoned and isolated in the 3rd floor of Mr. Rochester's mansion when she was deemed violent and insane. She ultimately set fire to the mansion and committed suicide.
The Madwoman in the Attic! Great example! Especially after Jean Rhys tells her side of the story in Wide Sargasso Sea. Thanks for reminding me about this one!
I just love listening to you two. I love the sound of your voices. Your enthusiasm is infectious. And you open my eyes to things I never would’ve known about before. I’m excited to read that book by Tom Robbins!
Thank you so much, Cheryl! Honestly, that means the world to us both. We have so much fun doing the podcast and sharing all of the various subjects we discuss. But knowing they are so well received truly makes the whole thing worthwhile for us both. Thank you for continued listening and encouragement and also for believing in us from the very beginning as one of our founding donors!
Okay, I am NOT alone in this. What the hell is it? Hearing them makes me smile when I'm down, or tired, in need of a respite. Or outright laugh. I told them and I don't think they believed me. I am so happy that you made this comment because they don't seem to believe it. Thanks, Cheryl.
Jul 22, 2023·edited Jul 22, 2023Liked by Ryan Wildstar
There are THREE sides, to every story. Two sides & the truth.
My favorite misunderstood woman of today and of history is a woman I had seen in a 60's elementary school film when I was IN elementary school. Flash-forward to 2014 while living in Los Angeles, California I was reminded of this woman by way of who was sadly going to be my ex, who had learned of her for the first time. We both shared the love of documentaries and I was so excited of his mention of her that, you know when someone you love for the first time mentions the name of some obscure figure that you know they are your soul mate? Her name is Jane Elliott.
For those of you who do not know, Iowa born Jane Elliot, invented and piloted the first EXERCISE in racism in a public elementary school, which included every element of racism - under the idealism fodder by the eugenics scientists and public relations (see Edward Bernays re: propaganda) model of exclusion of specific races by virtue of physical parameters and behavior. Her exercise used the differentiation of eye color to determine the superiority and inferiority of a race and were thus treated accordingly. Ms. Elliot & I had spoken on the phone, exchanged emails many times and I had planned to buy her teaching manuals on how to set up and conduct the exercise in businesses, schools and other places here in Spain. My plan was put aside by health and other circumstances. Her manual wasn't inexpensive, at the time I could afford it, when the time came some "force" we'll call it, comes up. $2,000 dollars for the manual, in English.
The day I was to go to her home in XXXXX, California, my car broke down. Clearly, a test from the Universe about how badly I wanted to teach. It wasn't bad enough. But it is still possible!
I urge you to watch this, if you know and have forgotten, or for the first time familiarize yourself with this misunderstood woman, who is married and has a family with brown-eyed people.
Her exercise has been conducted by herself in Australia, parts of Europe, businesses and "blind invitation studies" of people who did not know they were part of an exercise in learning first-hand about what it feels like, what it is to be treated like, attitudes, confrontational tactics- instigated by the reactions of their treatment as inferiors.
I really hope I can buy her exercise manual and do something good with it because we need it now and racism isn't only about race these days. "A Class Divided" FRONTLINE PBS https://youtu.be/1mcCLm_LwpE
I'll start with a woman whom I wrote a school paper about in elementary school - the infamous Mata Hari (born Margaretha Zelle). At her trial, she said, "A harlot? Yes, but a traitoress, never!"
The Canadian historian Wesley Wark stated in a 2014 interview that Mata Hari was never an important spy, but a scapegoat for French military failures which she had nothing to do with, stating: "They needed a scapegoat and she was a notable target for scapegoating." Likewise, the British historian Julie Wheelwright stated: "She really did not pass on anything that you couldn't find in the local newspapers in Spain." Wheelwright went on to describe Zelle as "... an independent woman, a divorcée, a citizen of a neutral country, a courtesan and a dancer, which made her a perfect scapegoat for the French, who were then losing the war. She was ... held up as an example of what might happen if your morals were too loose."
Great choice! #JusticeForMataHari
Ya, jet pilot! Of course Mata Hari! There is no better compliment to another person than them a "whore." There is really no other occupation, that is voluntary! than that of a prostitute.
I'm going to choose the most misunderstood goddess in Greek mythology and literature: Hera! Queen of the Gods, Queen of the Sky, Goddess of Marriage and Goddess of ALL Women. I've never liked the way she was portrayed/maligned by most male authors from the ancient world, who were often threatened by powerful women and staunchly opposed to all things matriarchal. Which is probably why Hera is the very first goddess I chose to write about in my book-length "imagist epic" inspired by Greek mythology (forthcoming!).
Brilliant choice! And no wonder our wedding ceremony was so beautifully decorated with peacock feathers everywhere, honoring Hera. Can't wait for your book to finally be out!
Bertha Mason was the first Mrs. Rochester depicted in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre published in 1847. She is the violent villain who tormented Jane, destroyed Jane's chance at wedded happiness, caused the fire that destroyed Thornfield Hall and blinded Mr. Rochester.
Author Jean Rhys wrote a prequel to Jane Eyre published in 1966 that portrayed Antoinette Mason (Bertha in Jane Eyre) sympathetically as a young West Indian torn from her homeland, settled in England, locked in a loveless marriage and imprisoned and isolated in the 3rd floor of Mr. Rochester's mansion when she was deemed violent and insane. She ultimately set fire to the mansion and committed suicide.
Well...who wouldn't go mad!
The Madwoman in the Attic! Great example! Especially after Jean Rhys tells her side of the story in Wide Sargasso Sea. Thanks for reminding me about this one!
I just love listening to you two. I love the sound of your voices. Your enthusiasm is infectious. And you open my eyes to things I never would’ve known about before. I’m excited to read that book by Tom Robbins!
Thank you so much, Cheryl! Honestly, that means the world to us both. We have so much fun doing the podcast and sharing all of the various subjects we discuss. But knowing they are so well received truly makes the whole thing worthwhile for us both. Thank you for continued listening and encouragement and also for believing in us from the very beginning as one of our founding donors!
Also, tell us one of your favorite notorious, mysterious or misunderstood women of history!
Thanks, Cheryl. Ok guys, you're onto something. Let's go!!!
Okay, I am NOT alone in this. What the hell is it? Hearing them makes me smile when I'm down, or tired, in need of a respite. Or outright laugh. I told them and I don't think they believed me. I am so happy that you made this comment because they don't seem to believe it. Thanks, Cheryl.
xo Del
There are THREE sides, to every story. Two sides & the truth.
My favorite misunderstood woman of today and of history is a woman I had seen in a 60's elementary school film when I was IN elementary school. Flash-forward to 2014 while living in Los Angeles, California I was reminded of this woman by way of who was sadly going to be my ex, who had learned of her for the first time. We both shared the love of documentaries and I was so excited of his mention of her that, you know when someone you love for the first time mentions the name of some obscure figure that you know they are your soul mate? Her name is Jane Elliott.
For those of you who do not know, Iowa born Jane Elliot, invented and piloted the first EXERCISE in racism in a public elementary school, which included every element of racism - under the idealism fodder by the eugenics scientists and public relations (see Edward Bernays re: propaganda) model of exclusion of specific races by virtue of physical parameters and behavior. Her exercise used the differentiation of eye color to determine the superiority and inferiority of a race and were thus treated accordingly. Ms. Elliot & I had spoken on the phone, exchanged emails many times and I had planned to buy her teaching manuals on how to set up and conduct the exercise in businesses, schools and other places here in Spain. My plan was put aside by health and other circumstances. Her manual wasn't inexpensive, at the time I could afford it, when the time came some "force" we'll call it, comes up. $2,000 dollars for the manual, in English.
The day I was to go to her home in XXXXX, California, my car broke down. Clearly, a test from the Universe about how badly I wanted to teach. It wasn't bad enough. But it is still possible!
I urge you to watch this, if you know and have forgotten, or for the first time familiarize yourself with this misunderstood woman, who is married and has a family with brown-eyed people.
Her exercise has been conducted by herself in Australia, parts of Europe, businesses and "blind invitation studies" of people who did not know they were part of an exercise in learning first-hand about what it feels like, what it is to be treated like, attitudes, confrontational tactics- instigated by the reactions of their treatment as inferiors.
I really hope I can buy her exercise manual and do something good with it because we need it now and racism isn't only about race these days. "A Class Divided" FRONTLINE PBS https://youtu.be/1mcCLm_LwpE
Jane Elliot was certainly a pioneer! Thanks so much for sharing that! Great recommendation.
Thank you Dell Yes, R&R ais is absolutely true. You engage, inspire and entertain us!