Former B.C. broadcaster reclaiming sexist use of the word ‘hysterical’

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — A local former broadcaster is trying to take back the word ‘hysterical’ after it was used during provincial briefings to describe those concerned about COVID-19 cases in schools.

Former TV news anchor Tamara Taggart tells NEWS 1130 she was disturbed to hear the sexist language, adding it’s mostly used to belittle women and to shoot down their concerns.

Concern about exposures and outbreaks in schools has been consistent since students went back to class in September. Health officials have been subject to criticism when it comes to safety plans in schools, and how information is communicated to parents and communities. Taggart says characterizing concerns over school safety as ‘hysterical’ is both sexist and dismissive.

“I heard the word being used to describe the feeling, around data, and schools and COVID … It didn’t sit well with me and I thought, ‘Gosh I keep hearing this word and it really bothers me,'” she says.

"Hysterical" is used to undermine & dismiss women for decades – & was used to describe the pandemic &outbreaks in BC schools. @tamarataggart is working to take that word back with the release of these "Hysterical Woman" items @NEWS1130 30% of proceeds go to @EndingViolence pic.twitter.com/Io7DIVpfOd

— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) January 24, 2021

So Taggart and the founder of Madame Premier created some T-shirts and a tote bag with the word “Hysterical Woman” written in a heavy metal font to send a strong message and “take back the word.”

“We shouldn’t be called hysterical if we are demanding information about something,” she says.

Taggart explains the word ‘hysteria’ historically has been used to pathologize women “who had strong feelings about things, or maybe different opinions or were upset or angry.”

“You’re only describing women when you use that word. You’re not describing a man when you use that word in any way shape or form. Whether it’s intentional or not intentional, it doesn’t matter. It’s a word that is used to degrade women.”

She adds, by now, people should know better than some words men use to describe women can be damaging, discriminatory, and hurtful.

Sarah Elder-Chamanera, the founder of Madame Premier, says she is excited and honoured to be collaborating with Taggart on the Hysterical Woman Collection.

“[This is] a part of the self-education that we need to do with the context of the world we’re living in today to be more aware of, not only ourselves but those around us,” she says.

I am beyond excited and honoured to launch @madamepremier's newest collaboration with the incredible @tamarataggart today! The Hysterical Woman Collection takes back the word hysterical from those who use it against us. pic.twitter.com/LKCcjpgfXI

— Sarah Elder-Chamanara (@sarahelder) January 22, 2021

Thirty per cent of the proceeds from all sales will go to Battered Women’s Support Services in Vancouver.

Angela Marie MacDougall is the Executive Director of the organization says the donations come at a crucial time, because more women have been using their services since the pandemic began.

“This initiative will really help us to be sure that we can continue to have staff crisis line, to be able to meet the needs of those callers. For every call that we receive, it does represent additional support that we offer women through our support workers, through our counsellors, through our legal advocates to our housing advocate. There’s a whole matrix of support services that we have in effect, and the crisis line is often very first point of contact.”