WomenWomenbikini killkathleen hanna

Kathleen Hanna Talks Girl-On-Girl Bullying, Explains Why Sexism Is Bad For Everyone

Kathleen Hanna Perfectly Explains Why Sexism Is Bad For Everyone
|

When it comes to the culture that encourages girl-on-girl bullying, punk-rock legend and feminist activist Kathleen Hanna doesn't mince words. "It's always about taking the scraps off of the man's table. It's like we're just eating off the floor," said Hanna, former frontwoman of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre and current frontwoman of The Julie Ruin.

In a Nov. 25 interview on HuffPost Live, Hanna explained exactly why sexism is so damaging -- not just to women, but to men as well. She told host Ricky Camilleri:

Sexism hurts everyone. It hurts men in the fact that a lot of men are put in this position where the only way they know how to bond with each other is through racism or sexism or homophobia. And they don't know how to actually have real friendships. And I think that can be similar with women. The only way that they know how to bond with each other is through this viscousness towards other women and towards other groups of people that are different than themselves.

Hanna also pointed out that our 24/7 connectivity to technology has actually impeded our ability to connect in real life. "We just don't know how to connect in a way that's actually beautiful and present," she said. "Everyone's on their computer phones and what-not, and it's more of not being here."

Well said, Hanna. Now excuse us while we go tap into our '90s Riot Grrrl selves and rock out.

Head over to HuffPost Live to watch the full segment.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Famous Female Friendships
Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald(01 of08)
Open Image Modal
While countless articles, films and documentaries have chronicled the lives of both America’s most famous sex symbol and the Queen of Jazz respectively, most leave out an important detail: their friendship with each other. Marilyn, who idolized and was inspired by Ella, supported her friend in the face of racism, by helping her get her first gig at a prominent nightclub in 1955 by promising to sit in the front row of the audience every night for a week. (credit:Image via KPLU Tumblr)
Gloria Steinem and Marlo Thomas(02 of08)
Open Image Modal
Marlo Thomas and Gloria Steinem met in 1967 when an agent pitched the idea of Marlo playing Gloria in a TV-movie. The movie never happened (and the agent turned out to be quite offensive), but the two activists have remained friends ever since. Says Marlo about Steinem, “We have been confidantes, soul mates and sisters.” (credit:Getty)
Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland(03 of08)
Open Image Modal
Beyoncé and Kelly's friendship dates back to their days as two of the three members of Destiny's Child. Though both went their own way over a decade ago, the two have remained close friends. Despite recent reports to the contrary, Kelly insists, "I love my sister. [Beyoncé] is so incredibly supportive. [She is] one of the closest people to me." (credit:Getty)
Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek(04 of08)
Open Image Modal
Cruz and Hayek (who have been friends since early on in their careers) first worked together on the film “Bandidas.” In fact, they almost died together when the plane taking them to the set nearly crashed in 2006. Their friendship was strong even then -- Penelope said about the experience, “A thought came across my mind that if I were to die at that moment, at least I’d die with my best friend.” (credit:Getty)
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler(05 of08)
Open Image Modal
These hilarious women met in 1993 at an improv class in Chicago and continued to work together throughout the years at the "Upright Citizens Brigade" and "SNL" (where the two co-hosted the segment “Weekend Update” from 2004-2006). They eventually collaborated on films such as "Mean Girls" and "Baby Mama." Amy has said about Tina, "She’s...really, really funny and incredibly hard-working and a very supportive and loyal friend." Tina once quipped about Amy, "We're like Oprah and Gayle. Only we're not denying anything." (credit:AP)
Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock(06 of08)
Open Image Modal
It seems that life imitates art for McCarthy and Bullock, who play a crime-fighting duo in this summer's much anticipated buddy comedy "The Heat." The film's director, Paul Feig, described the actresses as "inseparable…Normally after movies, those friendships go away. Theirs blossomed.” (credit:AP)
Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King(07 of08)
Open Image Modal
"Oprah and Gayle" are names that have practically become synonymous with "female friendship." Oprah has said of their friendship: "I wish every person on earth to experience somebody to care for them and to know them in such a way that they only want the best for you… When you become famous...a lot of people lose oxygen and they can’t make the summit with you. [It's good] to be able to have somebody who not only can make the summit, but stand at the summit with you and rejoices in your being able to make it.” (credit:Getty)
Hillary Clinton and Meryl Streep(08 of08)
Open Image Modal
It just makes sense that these two women, who are arguably better at their respective jobs than most other humans ever, discovered they are kindred spirits. The photo of the two taking a selfie at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors Gala dinner became an instant classic, and Meryl gave a heartfelt introduction for Hillary Clinton at the 2012 Women In The World Summit stating, “She has turned out to be the voice of her generation. I’m an actress, and she is the real deal.” (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip