SorryWatch hopes it will not give reason to apologize because one of its members (Sumac) is off to Antarctica for several months, under the auspices of the NSF and the US Antarctic Program.
But SorryWatch is not worried yet. At Palmer Station, Sumac will have email and internet again eventually. And surely people apologize in Antarctica.
Byrd, alone but possibly not lonely.
In fact, Sumac searched for “Admiral Byrd” and “apology,” and found a dreadful time capsule from the November 27, 1955, Ocala Star-Banner:
“Admiral Byrd Proves He’s Mortal; Offers Apologies to Women”
Shockingly, half these penguins are ladies.
“Proves He’s Mortal” is because apparently the nation was awash with hero-worship for Byrd. A US Navy aviator, he established a series of Antarctic bases called Little America, Little America II, etc. If you run across a small chain of rather nice motor inns called Little America, that’s a trace of that long-ago adulation.
Here’s the story:
Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd, having made peace with the women, leaves by plane today for Honolulu en route to Auckland. New Zealand and the start of his fifth expedition to the antarctic.
On his way here from the East he was welcomed by a group of models and airline hostesses who were protesting—all in fun—his remark Thursday in Washington that “no woman has ever stepped on Little America—and we have found it to be the most silent and peaceful place in the world.”
“Now that I think it over.” said Byrd to the welcoming committee, “Little America is the loneliest place in the world because there are no women.”
Byrd said probably 35 bases will be established in Antarctica to correlate information on what may be the “world’s greatest weather factory.” Several nations are sending expeditions this year, he added.
Marie Byrd Land.
Byrd said a mean thing. Then he said what was meant to be a nice thing. Actually a condescending brush-off.
Possibly he said the words sorry or apologize and it didn’t get into the wire report, or the Ocala Star-Banner shortened the story. It doesn’t matter, because it still wouldn’t be good.
To break it down: when asked whether women might be part of his future Antarctic expeditions, he advanced a hostile stereotype.
There were objections, even a demonstration, in 1955, not a protest-heavy time – and I’m skeptical that it was “all in fun.” (They’re cute when they’re indignant!)
To recover from having been publicly mean/ungentlemanly, Byrd then advanced a sentimental angel-in-the-house stereotype. Notice that this supposedly favorable, chivalric stereotype still doesn’t mean that women could form part of Byrd’s expeditions or even visit Little America. It was still implicit that no women would go South with him. He just came up with a cuter “reason” why.
There’s the argument that Amundsen actually flew to the North Pole first, and that Byrd faked his sextant readings.
Byrd named a large area of icy waste after his wife – Marie Byrd Land. She never went to Antarctica. Perhaps she never wanted to.
I grew up under a barrage of stereotypes about girls and women, which all seemed to deny them respect or opportunity. Women! Yak yak yak, shop shop shop, gab gab gab. What do they talk about in the powder room? Watch out if she gets behind the wheel! Better watch my language! Heh heh heh heh.
It hasn’t stopped. It’s changed form somewhat.
But women can now go to Antarctica.
Boo! Hiss! Byrd! I’m pleased to note that there was a demonstration – a probably well-behaved, polite one with coordinated sweater sets, but we had to start somewhere.
Meanwhile, I cannot WAIT to hear about Antarctica… doubtless there will be many opportunities to apologize – Is this your heater? this fur coat is also yours, and also this heated brick for your bed? Mea culpa! I’m just FREEZING!! – orrrr, maybe I’m only projecting what would happen if I went…