I was quite surprised myself when I learned (only recently) that the bra-burning was simply a myth. I think Debbie Doyle's query about the myth of bra burning raises some interesting issues.
I'll be interested to see others' thoughts on this matter. Third, it shows the organizational abilities of the radical feminists, thereby demonstrating some unexpected common ground with liberal feminists. Second, from a pedagogical angle, it catches students' interest and perhaps quells more conservative students' fears. First, and perhaps most importantly, it shows how biased portrayals of feminism have been from the outset. I think that revealing the false basis of this myth serves several purposes. women's history and I always mention the myth of bra-burning, but I had not previously examined my reasons for doing so. As historians we have a responsibility to keep the record straight.ĭebbie Doyle has asked an excellent question. I think, for me, the most important reason to debunk the bra-burning myth is that it isn't true. Is it because it implies a total rejection of the demands of beauty? Because it implies slovenliness, being "out of control?" Do we want to counteract this myth because it seems to trivialize the goals of the Women's Movement? Does anyone have any thoughts?
I think the interesting question here is why this particular myth seems to have such resonance both to anti-feminists and to the feminists who take such pains to debunk it. This issue has come up on the list frequently lately. 28th the _Times_ refers to "bra-burnings" as if they happened. I recently read the New York Times coverage of the 1968 Miss America protest in connection with my dissertation research, which I think shows the origins of the bra-burning myth, at least in part.Īsked if the Atlantic City government had objected to the protest, Robin Morgan told a reporter the mayor had been worried about fire safety, but "We told him we wouldn't do anything dangerous-just a symbolic bra-burning." This article made clear that no fires were set, but by Sept. It's similar to the myth of anti-war protestors spitting at returning Vietnam vets. I personally know women who were not at Atlantic City in September 1968 who swear they saw women burning bras. Whether or not women burned a bra in the freedom trash can, or burned their bras other places has been hotly disputed. Thanks and I will look forward to your responses.Īccording to the NY Times reporting on the Miss America contest, Robin Morgan was quoted as to saying that women were going to burn bras. The biggest myth of all was the whole bra-burning legend. Myths, that on the surface, seemed to define the era, but if fact were false. I wanted to get some feedback on what some of the greatest myths of that time were. I am doing research work for a media project on the American women's movement (1963-1978). Feminist Myths: Bra-Burning Discussion (June 1998)
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