“almost every woman i have ever met has a secret belief that she is just on the edge of madness, that there is some deep, crazy part within her, that she must be on guard constantly against ‘losing control’ — of her temper, of her appetite, of her sexuality, of her feelings, of her ambition, of her secret fantasies, of her mind”
— Elana Dykewomon “Notes for a Magazine"
Society’s trick is to raise everyone to believe half of humanity are some kind of cross between devils and angels, enforcers of propriety and objects of lust, to be “respected” or even “worshiped” on the one hand but also denied opportunities, respect, authority, and compensation for being “little ladies.”
Oh, also! You’re accused of being “hormonal” on a monthly basis by… men who wake up every morning with a frickin’ erection!
I promise, promise, promise it’s not you who’s on the edge of madness. Or if you are it’s because society’s set up to systematically and methodically drive you crazy.
