H-Women Feminist Myths: Bra-Burning Discussion (June 1998) Page published by Kolt Ewing on Thursday, June 12, 2014 Feminist Myths: Bra-Burning Discussion (June 1998) Query From Alison Woo
[email protected] 22 June 1998 I am doing research work for a media project on the American women's movement (1963-1978). I wanted to get some feedback on what some of the greatest myths of that time were. Myths, that on the surface, seemed to define the era, but if fact were false. The biggest myth of all was the whole bra-burning legend. Thanks and I will look forward to your responses. Responses: From Barbara Winslow
[email protected] 23 June 1998 According to the NY Times reporting on the Miss America contest, Robin Morgan was quoted as to saying that women were going to burn bras. Whether or not women burned a bra in the freedom trash can, or burned their bras other places has been hotly disputed. I personally know women who were not at Atlantic City in September 1968 who swear they saw women burning bras. It's similar to the myth of anti-war protestors spitting at returning Vietnam vets. From Debbie Ann Doyle
[email protected] 23 June 1998 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. Asked 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.