Now, this is truly scary, and just in time for Halloween. Look, we know Cate Blanchett can play a great villain. Like she is Hela good at it, yo. (Yes, I know, you saw what I did there…) But the Goddess of Death is nothing compared to the sheer villainy she will next take on. The Marvelous Ms. Blanchett is set to star as conservative firebrand/horrid person Phyllis Schlafly in the new FX limited series “Mrs. America,” about the ERA era. For those who need a memory jog, the ERA was (and still is) the Equal Rights Amendment. It’s the as-yet still unpassed amendment to the United States Constitution that would have granted equal rights to all in this country regardless of gender. It sought to end discrimination based on sex in all avenues of public life – from employment to housing and property rights. The whole she-bang, if you will.
While it was approved by the House and Senate in 1971 and 1972, respectively, it fell short of the 38 state ratification threshold (reaching only 35 before the deadline passed) in large part because of the right-wing fear mongering of Phyllis Schlafly. She claimed it would hurt housewives and force women to be drafted. Her anti-feminist, anti-abortion, anti-ERA antics changed the course of history – for the worse. And women today are still not truly guaranteed full civil rights as a result. If you’re wondering if this still matters, may I introduce you to the gender wage gap – for starters.
Now the series isn’t just about Schlafly. It will focus on the whole ERA movement of the 70s including feminist champions like Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and Jill Ruckelshaus. This will be Cate’s very first on-screen appearance on American television, and goodness it’s a humdinger.
Now, some might bristle at the thought of Cate playing such a despicable human. But it takes true talent to show the depth of depravity and duplicity of the human heart.
So bring on the villainy, Cate. We know in the depths of your heart you’re really a Carol just playing a Phyllis.
Thank you for background info about this part of herstory. Hope we get to see it in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteOh can’t wait this is gonna be amazing
ReplyDeleteNot American, so I don't fully understand what difference that amendment would make... you do have an equal pay law and gender discrimination seems to be illegal for all the main issues... so what is missing?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOATH Phyllis Shlafly, who is a truly misogynistic pretend woman, and I love Cate Blanchett. What a lot of emotions. I agree, it must take an awful lot of talent to play Shlafly, who is one of the most despicable misogynistic sub-humans on the planet.
ReplyDeleteLast Minute Halloween Excuse Post with Old Full Drag Selfies and Thanks to Commenters