Because of Anita
In 1991, Anita Hill told the world that Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed her. Thirty years later, we’re still feeling the ripple effects of that testimony—in our politics and our lives. This four-part podcast explores the enduring impact of that moment, with new insights and on-the-ground stories from guests like Tarana Burke, Kerry Washington and Professor Hill herself, in her first-ever public conversation with Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who testified 27 years after her.
Our Editor's Take
People who weren't old enough to see Anita Hill's 1991 testimony before the US Senate may not understand the impact of that moment. Hill's testimony at Clarence Thomas' US Supreme Court confirmation hearing was influential. In part, this is what the podcast Because of Anita wishes to explore.
Before then, there weren't any words to describe sexual harassment in the workplace. Often, it was something that every woman had to tolerate. But Hill's deposition taught many women that it wasn't OK to receive such treatment. It opened the door to bigger movements, such as #MeToo. Yet, 27 years later, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford had to go through a similar experience. The podcast reviews everything that changed since 1991. It also asks the difficult questions about why other things remained the same.
A four-part series, Because of Anita explores Hill's influence on individual women. Two of them are the hosts themselves. Cindi Leive, an award-winning journalist and creator of The Meteor, was in her 20s when she saw the hearing. Leive remembers how Hill reminded her of her mother, who worked as a biochemist. In that male-dominated environment, her mother had many uncomfortable experiences to share. Dr. Salamishah Tillet, a gender and sexuality writer and activist, is also a rape survivor. She remembers how the testimony helped her find her own voice.
Other women share their experiences on the podcast as well. Carol Moseley Braun reveals that the hearing was the catalyst for her to run for Senate. Tarana Burke, the founder of #MeToo, speaks about how the events motivated her. There are also discussions with Hill's lawyer, a journalist who covered the hearing, and more. It all culminates in a conversation between Hill and Dr. Ford. It is where the listeners get to hear the motivations and fears of two trailblazers.
The podcast provides important insights into the hard realities of racism and sexism. It explores the significance of intersectionality and how the US still has a long way to go. It is educational, but it might anger listeners at certain points. Yet it's a conversation that needs to happen.
Episodes