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Growing Up In The 70s/80sWhen Feminism Was A Dirty Word
The “entertainment” of that era was hardly liberated … except for 9-to-5.
Fear of fat. Fear of being called a “slut.” Fear of rejection. Just plain fear.
I tell Bruce that back in the day, “I got plenty of jobs based on the way I looked.” It was the only way I knew to defend myself.
I did get jobs. I had to work. I had to pay for school. Later, I had to pay for rent, food, my car, and utilities.
But raised on 70s and 80s TV, movies, and media, since I looked like neither Farrah Fawcett in her famous poster nor Heather Locklear …
Even my favorite cousin Jeff, who protected me and cared about me, often talked about the benefits of thigh gaps for girls.
I routinely went three and four days existing only on black coffee and cigarettes. I am pretty sure that Heather and Farrah, my elders, did too.
My cousins, raised in a healthier and better-adjusted Midwest lifestyle than me, didn’t wear makeup. They mostly teased me for my big head of Cali blond hair and my “war paint.” They went on…
