@ -12,7 +12,9 @@ Godsipp (God and sib (akin), godmother or godfather) was in the 12th century a w
"Godsipp" began its journey with nothing but good and emotionally strong connotations. Women bloomed and blossomed among each other and were autonomous in their existence. Men were never a part of this party women were throwing. By the 16th century, as things began to change, the traditional meaning lingered on. In 1602, the word was still used to signify female friendships. This can be seen in Samuel Rowlands's *Tis Merrie When Gossips Meete*, a satirical piece describing three London women spending hours in a tavern talking about men and marriages. It implied that 'women could create their social networks and their own social space' and stand up to male authority(Federici, 2019). Solidarity and friendship amongst women were demeaned and female-exclusive parties were banned; women who met in public were identified as "witches" and women's first duty was now to be obedient and quiet. The talk about husbands at taverns was too hurtful for the sensitive male ego that public, church and the law, forbid women to engage in "idle talk". Centuries past, the sensitive male ego remains but now is attacking to mutilate women from many resources including cyberbullying, mobbing at the workspace and many more that tie to act violently in any sort.
"Godsipp" began its journey with nothing but good and emotionally strong connotations. Women bloomed and blossomed among each other and were autonomous in their existence. Men were never a part of this party women were throwing. By the 16th century, as things began to change, the traditional meaning lingered on. In 1602, the word was still used to signify female friendships. This can be seen in Samuel Rowlands's *Tis Merrie When Gossips Meete*, a satirical piece describing three London women spending hours in a tavern talking about men and marriages. It implied that 'women could create their social networks and their own social space' and stand up to male authority(Federici, 2019).
Solidarity and friendship amongst women were demeaned and female-exclusive parties were banned; women who met in public were identified as "witches" and women's first duty was now to be obedient and quiet. The talk about husbands at taverns was too hurtful for the sensitive male ego that public, church and the law, forbid women to engage in "idle talk". Centuries past, the sensitive male ego remains but now is attacking to mutilate women from many resources including cyberbullying, mobbing at the workspace and many more that tie to act violently in any sort.
Wives who were seen as "scolds" and "witches" were forced under sadistic torture with a "scold bridle". Looking back from today, I can't help but see these sadistic, desperate acts as a meek scream of how men couldn't get even close to satisfying women physically or mentally. If they spent some time working on female anatomy rather than these horrifying torture methods, we would be living in a different world today...
@ -32,7 +34,9 @@ Fortune telling over coffee stretches back to the 16th century when the beans ma
Whether with gossip or chatting over coffee, women have always found a way to express themselves regardless of oppression. These rituals were performed by women as an act of sisterhood and out of respect for both their inner worlds and each other. It is undeniable that gossip still brings people together and that centuries of oppression failed to change that. Through the centuries, as the word began to be weaponized against women and became a tool to turn against each other, I can't help but wonder how unfair pop culture was to women. In any magazine or TV series, anyone can spot a gossip scene with negative consequences or aim. A woman is sassy, "bitchy" or evil when she gossips, but why do we still let our acts be defined by the misogynistic portrayal of men? Today, the word gossip or fortune telling may be used as something you wouldn't want to be a part of because it could harm someone. Let's oppose the negative connotation assigned to this word by men and use it as a joyful gathering. Reclaiming gossip and fortune telling as an intimate support system, a strong web, is the least we can do to honour the women who met at taverns and shared a part of their souls with each other.
Whether with gossip or chatting over coffee, women have always found a way to express themselves regardless of oppression. These rituals were performed by women as an act of sisterhood and out of respect for both their inner worlds and each other. It is undeniable that gossip still brings people together and that centuries of oppression failed to change that. Through the centuries, as the word began to be weaponized against women and became a tool to turn against each other, I can't help but wonder how unfair pop culture was to women. In any magazine or TV series, anyone can spot a gossip scene with negative consequences or aim. A woman is sassy, "bitchy" or evil when she gossips, but why do we still let our acts be defined by the misogynistic portrayal of men?
Today, the word gossip or fortune telling may be used as something you wouldn't want to be a part of because it could harm someone. Let's oppose the negative connotation assigned to this word by men and use it as a joyful gathering. Reclaiming gossip and fortune telling as an intimate support system, a strong web, is the least we can do to honour the women who met at taverns and shared a part of their souls with each other.
