Soraya Chemaly: Resilience, Rage, and the Global Rise in Women's Anger
Welcome to The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet. Today, Amanda is joined by Soraya Chemaly, the insightful author of Rage Becomes Her. They delve into the disparity between men and women when expressing rage and anger. Soraya explains how women are often labeled as hostile when they show anger, a stereotype she addresses in her book to help girls and women understand the cultural roots of this phenomenon. The discussion also covers the Me Too movement, highlighting the disappointment in men who knew better but didn't speak up and the controversy over some women using the movement for personal gain. This fast-moving conversation touches on many other pressing issues today, offering valuable insights into gender dynamics and social justice. Don’t miss Soraya’s latest book, The Resilience Myth, out now.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- [1:04] Discussion of what changes for women in the last five years
- [4:59] Soraya points out that some white women protected men during the ME TOO movement, and men should not have been silent
- [13:19] Men need to be involved in the changes because they hold the power and discussion of Gen X men
- [19:16] Who are the role models for young men
- [24:28] Fighting for women’s freedom of expression
- [31:48] How can a woman express her rage and the difference between how men can express their rage
- [38:03] Discussion of a global Gallup study showing ten years where women’s anger escalated
- [43:54] Soraya has a new book, The Resilience Myth, about resilience and how we need to accept help
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Women are the most marginalized during epidemics because they don’t have access to resources like health care and other necessities.
- Men should have spoken up for women during the ME TOO movement. They knew the problem but hid in the boardroom and were silent.
- If a girl is assertive, she risks being regarded as rude. If you are socialized to understand that you will be punished for expressing your thoughts, then you soften the blow by signaling femininity.
RESOURCES:
Book: Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger
About This Podcast:
The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet is a groundbreaking series of weekly interviews featuring candid conversations with impactful thought leaders. Host Amanda de Cadenet provides a platform for raw and honest discussions on a wide variety of topics, from porn to politics. Visit amandadecadenet.com to learn more and sign up for her newsletter. Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandadecadenet. Follow Amanda on Substack at amandadecadenet.substack.com.
BIOGRAPHY:
Soraya Chemaly is an award-winning author, journalist, and activist who writes and speaks frequently about gender, inclusivity, and free speech. Her work has appeared in various media, including The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, TIME, and The Washington Post. Soraya is also the Director and co-founder of the Women's Media Center Speech Project and former Executive Director of The Representation Project. Her best-selling 2018 book Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger, translated into more than a dozen languages, was named a Best Book of the Year by Fast Company, Psychology Today, Autostraddle, and The Washington Post.