Sideways 77. Crazy Cat Lady
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Sep 3, 2025 Anna Go-Go, a performer and author of the Cat Lady Manifesto, discusses her journey breaking stereotypes as a drummer and dance instructor alongside her feline friends. She explores the cultural anxieties surrounding the 'crazy cat lady' myth, shedding light on how it has evolved from a source of mockery to a symbol of empowerment. Joined by experts, they delve into societal perceptions of women and cats, celebrating the bond between them and reimagining what it means to embrace independence and creativity without judgment.
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Public Persona Built Around Cats
- Anna used her public platform to talk about her cats and often referenced them during classes and performances.
- Audiences responded with warmth, turning her cat-love into part of her public persona.
Animalising Women For Social Control
- Corey Wrenn argues animalising women served patriarchal control by linking women's bodies and reproductive roles to animals.
- She ties industrial-era gender norms and domestic expectations to the origin of cat-related shaming.
Turning 40 Changed Perceptions
- Anna explains turning 40 changed how people reacted to her cat-ownership, with judgments increasing and comments growing hateful.
- This shift coincided with personal loss of potential motherhood and intensified public scrutiny.
