Newspaper stories from the good old days say the darndest things. This time on journalism’s way-back machine: an 1870’s defense attorney argues that a man can’t be held responsible for killing his estranged wife’s lover—because, let’s be honest, she was kind of a ho.

This Week In Sexist History:

Read More “This Week In Sexist History: I Killed Your Boyfriend Because You’re A Ho Edition” »

Newspaper stories from the good old days say the darndest things. So every week on the Sexist, let’s take a ride on journalism’s way-back machine, to a time when all female behavior could be explained away simply. Sure, turn-of-the-century journos called it “insanity,” “mania,” or “hysteria,” but we know the real diagnosis: She’s a crazy bitch.

According to historical Washington Post archives, August is a banner month for crazy bitches. But there’s a quick solution for any late-summer onset of the vapors, whether it’s from the heat, a cheatin’ man, or a too-full pocket book: oh, just throw her in the insane asylum! (The therapeutic pelvic massage comes later).

Diagnosis: It’s hot.

Read More “This Week in Sexist History: Crazy Bitches Edition” »

Riding through the rain. Scouting barber shops. Hugging strangers. Beating drums. Watching revelers climb to the highest elevation in sight—bus stops, stop lights, trees. Yelling back at honking cars. Chanting “U.S.A.” for the first time (unironically). Storming Marvin when Barack came on the big screen. Cheering for our next first lady—and, inexplicably, even louder for our next first puppy. Cheering for the District of Columbia. Putting down my notepad. Watching history. It was a wonderful night.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery