The phrase "the personal is political," coined by second-wave feminists, has been distorted and manipulated far beyond what it was originally meant to describe--basically, it was encouraging women to realize that many of the problems that seem personal are due to political forces of misogyny and sexism--but I can't think of a better opportunity to revive it than in response to this obscenely apoliticized article by Elizabeth Bernstein, writing for the Wall St. Journal, about couples who struggle over nagging. Bernstein admits that women are more likely to be labeled nags than men,…
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Nagging: The Personal Is Political
Slate Blogs27 Jan 2012 | 2:44 pm -
Nagging: The Personal Is Political
Slate Blogs27 Jan 2012 | 2:44 pmThe phrase "the personal is political," coined by second-wave feminists, has been distorted and manipulated far beyond what it was originally meant to describe--basically, it was encouraging women to realize that many of the problems that seem personal are due to political forces of misogyny and sexism--but I can't think of a better opportunity to revive it than in response to this obscenely apoliticized article by Elizabeth Bernstein, writing for the Wall St. Journal, about couples who struggle over nagging. Bernstein admits that women are more likely to be labeled nags than men,…
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Slate Blogs
-
Nagging: The Personal Is Political
27 Jan 2012 | 2:44 pmThe phrase "the personal is political," coined by second-wave feminists, has been distorted and manipulated far beyond what it was originally meant to describe--basically, it was encouraging women to realize that many of the problems that seem personal are due to political forces of misogyny and sexism--but I can't think of a better opportunity to revive it than in response to this obscenely apoliticized article by Elizabeth Bernstein, writing for the Wall St. Journal, about couples who struggle over nagging. Bernstein admits that women are more likely to be labeled nags than men,… -
Selfless Yale Quarterback's Rhodes Application Was Suspended for Sexual Assault Charges
27 Jan 2012 | 1:43 pmAs recently as yesterday, Patrick Witt was known as the Yale quarterback who became a media hero after he announced that he would play in the Harvard-Yale football game rather than go to his Rhodes Scholarship interview, which was scheduled for the same day. It turns out that this tidy narrative of athletic fealty was completely false; Witt was no longer eligible for the prestigious award, as the Rhodes Trust had learned of unofficial sexual assault charges against Witt and suspended his application. So the wrenching choice between personal honor and team obligation was actually a convenient… -
In Losing, Michele Bachmann Wins
27 Jan 2012 | 9:27 amIs there truth to the conventional wisdom that a presidential bid usually enhances a politician’s standing, regardless of the outcome? There is much to be gained, after all, both during and after a failed presidential run. Books sell, speaking fees go up, Fox News turns former candidates into “analysts” and rewards them handsomely. Losing candidates can influence the debates and the media coverage, pushing a party’s platform in one direction or another. Presidential politics isn’t just about winning, after all; a failed candidate returns home with elevated stature and the… -
The CDC Study That Debunks Morgellons Disease and the Stigma of Mental Illness
26 Jan 2012 | 4:51 pmFor years, a small but vocal patient community has claimed that the medical establishment is ignoring its debilitating, horrifying-sounding disease. Morgellons, according to its sufferers, is characterized by tiny parasites living under the skin, which produce fiber-like substances that spring from lesions. While most doctors dismissed the disease as an outbreak of delusional parasitosis, Morgellons sufferers have insisted that it was insulting to be told that “it’s all in your head.” Many felt vindicated when the CDC decided to undertake a study of the ailment. Even when a 2011 Mayo… -
Aging Men May Lose Thinking Ability Faster Than Women
26 Jan 2012 | 4:37 pmIn a new study released by the Mayo Clinic this month, a research team lead by Prof. Rosebud Roberts found that elderly men may suffer from a subtle condition known a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) at higher rates and earlier than women. Considered the step between the expected forgetfulness that comes with aging and more severe disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s, MCI is characterized by difficulty with moderate mental tasks like problem solving and multi-tasking. Patients with the condition do not usually need special care in their day-to-day lives, but may find the minor mental…
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Slate Blogs
-
Nagging: The Personal Is Political
27 Jan 2012 | 2:44 pmThe phrase "the personal is political," coined by second-wave feminists, has been distorted and manipulated far beyond what it was originally meant to describe--basically, it was encouraging women to realize that many of the problems that seem personal are due to political forces of misogyny and sexism--but I can't think of a better opportunity to revive it than in response to this obscenely apoliticized article by Elizabeth Bernstein, writing for the Wall St. Journal, about couples who struggle over nagging. Bernstein admits that women are more likely to be labeled nags than men,… -
Selfless Yale Quarterback's Rhodes Application Was Suspended for Sexual Assault Charges
27 Jan 2012 | 1:43 pmAs recently as yesterday, Patrick Witt was known as the Yale quarterback who became a media hero after he announced that he would play in the Harvard-Yale football game rather than go to his Rhodes Scholarship interview, which was scheduled for the same day. It turns out that this tidy narrative of athletic fealty was completely false; Witt was no longer eligible for the prestigious award, as the Rhodes Trust had learned of unofficial sexual assault charges against Witt and suspended his application. So the wrenching choice between personal honor and team obligation was actually a convenient… -
In Losing, Michele Bachmann Wins
27 Jan 2012 | 9:27 amIs there truth to the conventional wisdom that a presidential bid usually enhances a politician’s standing, regardless of the outcome? There is much to be gained, after all, both during and after a failed presidential run. Books sell, speaking fees go up, Fox News turns former candidates into “analysts” and rewards them handsomely. Losing candidates can influence the debates and the media coverage, pushing a party’s platform in one direction or another. Presidential politics isn’t just about winning, after all; a failed candidate returns home with elevated stature and the… -
The CDC Study That Debunks Morgellons Disease and the Stigma of Mental Illness
26 Jan 2012 | 4:51 pmFor years, a small but vocal patient community has claimed that the medical establishment is ignoring its debilitating, horrifying-sounding disease. Morgellons, according to its sufferers, is characterized by tiny parasites living under the skin, which produce fiber-like substances that spring from lesions. While most doctors dismissed the disease as an outbreak of delusional parasitosis, Morgellons sufferers have insisted that it was insulting to be told that “it’s all in your head.” Many felt vindicated when the CDC decided to undertake a study of the ailment. Even when a 2011 Mayo… -
Aging Men May Lose Thinking Ability Faster Than Women
26 Jan 2012 | 4:37 pmIn a new study released by the Mayo Clinic this month, a research team lead by Prof. Rosebud Roberts found that elderly men may suffer from a subtle condition known a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) at higher rates and earlier than women. Considered the step between the expected forgetfulness that comes with aging and more severe disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s, MCI is characterized by difficulty with moderate mental tasks like problem solving and multi-tasking. Patients with the condition do not usually need special care in their day-to-day lives, but may find the minor mental…
