A few words of professional advice to the fresh cast of supporting actresses joining that bold, new traveling production of The Emperor’s New Clothes… I’m going to level with you: this role will take everything you’ve got. I hope you’re up for it. When I saw the casting call, I knew I’d never be able to hack it, so I didn’t even bother trying out. You’re going to need to stage a continuous performance of your submission and that means always learning new lines and subjecting yourself to arbitrary and bewildering teardowns. You’ve got to be ‘on’ 24/7: no joking around while waiting in the wings. The role you’ve been cast in is frankly inhuman in its demands. So it’s inevitable that you’ll make mistakes. Own them. Start rehearsing your abject apologies now. Debase yourself enough and you can stick around to screw up another day. Those teardowns may hurt but they’ll make you a better actress.
I'm constantly amazed by how people in the public eye (politicians, celebrities, etc.) can say what is required of them in order to maintain favor/power/etc. rather than what they might actually believe or want... I could never do that, I certainly know that!
Advice sorely needed during the past week by three hapless UK Labour women MPs in the Opposition's Shadow Cabinet, as each made a fool of herself trying (not) to answer the dangerous question "What is a woman?"
This is so beautifully explained.
I'm constantly amazed by how people in the public eye (politicians, celebrities, etc.) can say what is required of them in order to maintain favor/power/etc. rather than what they might actually believe or want... I could never do that, I certainly know that!
As usual, fabulous writing about something that is hard to even think about!
Advice sorely needed during the past week by three hapless UK Labour women MPs in the Opposition's Shadow Cabinet, as each made a fool of herself trying (not) to answer the dangerous question "What is a woman?"
"Stick to your lines", "stay in line". "Know your place". It's all the same message, isn't it? Shut up and do as your told, ladies.