Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Hysteria



When we say a viral video is hysterical, that's good because it means it's funny. When we call a woman hysterical, it's a dismissive, gender-coded word that means she's upset or angry and not in control of her emotions. There is a long history behind the word used this way, and it boils down to men not taking women's problems seriously, which only adds to the anger. It was much simpler to assume there's something about a uterus that makes women difficult. Menstrual cramps no doubt contributed to this belief, but it was altogether easier to blame the uterus than it was to take a woman's feelings or opinions seriously.  


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