By: Violet Ratliff and Hosna Kachooee
Society says women are unfit to rule, but our biology questions that. That all starts with how much the average person knows about human origin – film makers Christopher Henze and Dominique Debroux prove that to be very little.
Eight years in the making, the documentary film “Crone: The Wise Woman Hypothesis” proves how many biological facts we’ve ignored as a society, and how few of them we’ve implemented into our everyday structures. With a lack of common knowledge about fundamental natural phenomena in the female body, it is no surprise that most structures were made through a male-centric view.
“We have so much to learn from our origins of the matriarchy– of the feminine– and how much we contribute to society. How the patriarchy has harmed us as a society and harmed our earth,” comments Patrice Lenowitz, former Bergen employee and activist for women’s rights. While organizing the event with Professor Tom LaPointe, they wanted to do more than just show the movie. So, Lenowitz gave BCC the honor of inviting New Jersey State Senator Holly Schepisi, the CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Deborah Visconi, and Dr. Ena Marsan, DO of Bergen Medical Associates, to form a memorable panel discussion. The point of the event was to spread awareness and answer questions students and faculty may have.
The movie begins by shedding light on the failings of the current education system. Director Debroux talks about how the movie came about: “I went through perimenopause about eight or nine years ago,” she begins. “I had the sadness because it’s hard enough to be a woman over 40 in this society, but the label ‘postmenopausal’ just felt like [it’s] time to go somewhere and wait to die.” She explains this in a ‘Crone Stories’ YouTube Short video. Just like many women, she reaches out to her gynecologist, only to be disappointed by their answer: “I basically got the answer that it was nature’s mistake and we’re really meant to be dead.” She explains the encounter to her husband, director Christopher Henze, when she goes home. Henze takes it upon himself to fully explore the topic and research it deeply amongst specialists. “He found out that postmenopausal women are one of the most important and productive pieces of our society. See the evolutionary proof in our movie,” Debroux says.
The investigation leads to the filmmakers finding more about our origins, and we’re taken through each stage of evolution with specialists in the field. A highlighted topic in the film was education on women’s health and how many women felt as though they aren’t quite prepared for the processes they go through. “Their voices [female students and educators in the medical field] should carry a lot of weight,” comments Dr. Pamela Haji, a renowned English professor at BCC. “If these educators advise our state leadership on what’s best in health education, which I’m sure they already do, that will be the way the education process changes for the better of women. I’m sure it’s happening; it’s just slower than we want.” As an educator herself, Professor Haji stresses the importance of a more inclusive health education; something the directors took upon themselves to further investigate.
“Evolutionary biology is not taught well to pre-med and med students” remarks one of the professors that was interviewed during the investigation. Professors found it “ironic” that women are expected to reproduce, but aren’t properly taught how. With further interviews, the filmmakers started to conclude that the issue is much more deeply rooted.
“Academia was historically formed by old white guys. So we need time. The old white guys are losing their potential, powers, and influence and we’re getting more diverse people into the field” says Henze. Through the investigation he “learned some amazing things about science that aren’t even public.” When asked about what could be done to improve the situation, he suggests that time and opportunity “is going to be one of the great things in empowering our women.”
Once the movie ended, a panel was formed to discuss the matter further. Students and faculty expressed their opinions and questions one by one and the room was quickly filled with excitement. Participants talked about their stories, the events they went through and how the movie helped open their eyes to the ignored issues. One student, however, felt differently about the film and what it focused on.
This student questioned why men’s issues were not discussed in the event and voiced his concerns about the societal expectations of men. The panelists responded to his comment by saying how they understood his concerns and some of them spoke about their experiences with their sons. “His question is one that a lot of males have” adds Professor Haji. “We see this every time there’s an election, or anytime there’s a debate about something regarding women.” The student continued with his views, believing that his emotions aren’t validated as a man.
In our interview with Lenowitz, she elaborates further on the student’s comment on men’s rights: All of it is important. We’re all important,” she says. “It’s important to recognize what he was talking about, the isolation that he was feeling– not being able to show emotions –that’s exactly what we’re talking about because that is important. [It] is so important [to have] the community around to support us. I know the hardest things in my life that I’ve gone through, I couldn’t have gotten through it without my tribe of women—some wonderful men—but mostly it’s women. [It’s] how we support each other and make sure that we are in it for the long run. We’re in it and we’re going to stick with you through whatever that crisis is until you come to the other side.”
Upon a request to further elaborate on his view, the student declined to comment.
Coming to a close, participants gathered to take pictures and shared their appreciation for the opportunity to watch the insightful documentary. The event proved to be yet another valuable addition to BCC’s Women’s History Month calendar.