Have you seen the Netflix series KAOS, the modern-day take on Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum as Zeus? It’s fantastic. In today’s political climate, it’s hard not to see a parallel between the bottomless (albeit entertaining) narcissism of the fictional Zeus as dictator as it relates to the wannabe dictator we have as a presidential candidate in Trump. The misogyny exemplified in the series would surely be applauded by VP candidate Vance; as much as the snake-oil salesman tried to use fancy Yale-speak in the debate this week, his vitriol for women is thinly veiled beneath his guyliner.
What is Vance’s problem with women? Or Trump’s? Ms. magazine couched the Vance misogyny as “rage always conceals hurt,” describing his “childless cat lady” views as “mockery that reduces us to our reproductive capacity in a political context where women are already devalued.” In one of his right-wing podcast interviews, Vance said professional women “choose a path to misery” when they prioritize careers over having children and claimed men in America were “suppressed” in their masculinity.
There’s also a theory that Vance, as a closeted gay man raised by an addict mother, harbors resentment toward women and relishes having control over them. If Vance had a more traditional upbringing with a healthy maternal relationship, would he be less likely to champion stripping women of reproductive rights (regardless of his wolf in sheep’s clothing debate appearance)?
His treatment of women is different than Trump’s grabby, condescending words—compiled recently in a list of 81 horrible comments. Trump rarely speaks of his immigrant mother; it’s mostly a mystery how his relationship with her impacted the misogyny that led to the 26 sexual misconduct allegations against him by women—he continues to lash out publicly against women who’ve accused him of sexual assault even after losing in defamation lawsuits.
It’s a reflection of very weak men who’re intimidated by strong women or women in general. Why do women threaten their masculinity; why is it so fragile to begin with? A strong, confident man doesn’t have a need to feel threatened by a woman or by anyone if they’re secure in their “manhood”; they don't need to constantly remind anyone of it—in the political landscape or elsewhere in the real world.
As a relatively outspoken woman, I gave birth in office as a young elected official, have worked as a freelance journalist for 30 years, and certainly have experienced my share of misogynistic men. I recognize it when I encounter men who wish to feel superior and it can be difficult to hide my amusement in the dynamic. I don’t feel sorry for these individuals with their overblown mommy issues; I feel mildly sorry for the women who have to deal with them, even though they chose that life, it's still sad.
Navigating sexism is something women do often, for some, every day—in the workplace, our families, online. There’s a commenter on this website who’s taken it upon himself to leave disparaging, insulting comments on my posts (even while insisting he’s not doing it). I was recently verbally attacked by a Trumper in the sea glass community by who decided to assert his “masculinity” and imagined superiority over me. These things will happen to us as women and then it becomes an issue of how we will react. How much time are we willing to give the neanderthal, “crowd size issue” complex men who can’t stand the thought of a woman who’s strong, independent, and not putting a plate of hot food in front of them at the time? In KAOS, the queen of the gods Hera, after a supreme amount of mistreatment, lets Zeus know exactly how things are going to go when she’s had enough of his bullshit and walks her goddess ass out the door.
