Emma G. on SNL!
October 20, 2008
Did anyone else catch the mention of Emma Goldman in last week's SNL Thursday Weekend Update? If you missed it, you can see it here (around 15:30-16:03). I love that Emma made it to prime time!
Seriously, though, I have some questions about the comparison between Emma and William Ayers. She was a lifelong anarchist activist who fought for a range of causes including birth control, sexual freedom, workers' rights, women's rights, and free speech. Ayers is a founder of the Weather Underground, a radical organization of the late 1960s and 1970s that bombed buildings to oppose the Vietnam War. While I find Ayers' story an interesting view into the turbulence of the 60s and 70s, I don't think he's in Emma's league. What do you think?
Topics:
Activism, Television
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That's an interesting point. Ayers is no anarchist, but it would be fair to say that he and Goldman are/were lifelong activists. Even better was the context of the comparison: "You don't know who Emma Goldman is, do you--because teachers are paid so much less than plumbers". If there is a feminist slant here, maybe it's because teaching--still seen as women's work in some circles--and plumbing--definitely a "guy" occupation--are paid accordingly.